- Penalty point queries go through the "Penalty Point Query" section of the NDLS contact form.
- The reply is sent to the email you enter or to the postal address linked to your driver record. Do not use someone else's email.
- A driver statement costs nothing and is not released to a third party.
- Details of foreign licences have been recorded since 1 June 2011, and penalty points are applied to those records.
Penalty points
NDLS FAQs say to complete the "Penalty Point Query" section of the contact form at ndls.ie, giving your name, date of birth, and driver number or PPSN exactly as they appear on your learner permit or licence. The information is sent to the email address you enter, or to the postal address linked to your driver record. The FAQ tells you not to use a third party's email address.
For a non-Irish licence held in Ireland, the driver submits the same query, selecting "Penalty Point Query". NDLS asks for the name, the foreign licence number or 88 reference number, date of birth, PPSN and the address to which the offence documentation would be issued, all matching the licence.
Driver statement
A driver statement or letter of entitlement is a copy of your driver record, with name, address, date of birth, driver number, licence expiry and class. NDLS asks you to complete the driver statement form with your name as on your permit or licence, driver number, date of birth, PPSN and whether you want it by email or post. There is no fee. Information is sent only to the email address you give on the form or to the postal address linked to the record, and is not released to any third party.
It is not needed for insurance. NDLS says renewing your motor policy needs only your driver number.
What this means for employers and buyers
The checks above are the holder's own, not a public lookup. We did not find on the NDLS pages we read any service that lets an employer or a seller's buyer check a licence on its own. That is a limit worth knowing: no seller can honestly offer you a link that "proves" a licence is registered, because the only records NDLS releases go to the person they belong to. If a seller sends you a screenshot, a number or a link as proof, read scam red flags.
Novice drivers and points
NDLS says a lower threshold of seven penalty points leading to disqualification applies to anyone granted a first learner permit on or after 1 August 2014, while driving on a permit and for the first two years on a first licence. Failing to display N-plates is an offence, with 2 penalty points on payment of a fixed charge or 4 on conviction.
Where to go next
For the number that identifies you, see your driver number. For the full list of document checks, see official checks.
Which request for which question
| You want to know | Use |
|---|---|
| How many penalty points you have | Penalty Point Query on the NDLS contact form |
| Your licence class, expiry and driver number | Driver statement form |
| Where your application stands | The application status tool linked from ndls.ie |
| Penalty points on a foreign licence held in Ireland | Penalty Point Query, giving the foreign licence number or 88 reference number |
What to include
Give your name, date of birth, and driver number or PPSN exactly as they appear on the card. For a foreign licence, add the foreign licence number or 88 reference number and the address where offence documents were issued. Details that do not match the record are the usual reason a query does not return an answer.
Who sees the reply
Only you. NDLS sends the penalty point answer to the email address you enter or to the postal address linked to your record, and a driver statement to the email you give on the form or the address on file. Do not enter a friend's, employer's or seller's email address, even if they ask for "proof".
Frequently asked questions
How do I check my penalty points in Ireland?
Use the Penalty Point Query section of the NDLS contact form with your name, date of birth and driver number or PPSN exactly as on your licence. The reply goes to your email or postal address on record.
Is a driver statement free?
Yes. NDLS says no fee is required. It is sent only to the email you give on the form or to the postal address on your record.
Can an employer check my licence through NDLS?
We did not find a public employer check on the NDLS pages we read. NDLS says information is not released to a third party.
Do penalty points apply to foreign licences?
Yes. NDLS says details of foreign licences have been recorded since 1 June 2011 and penalty points are applied to them.
What is the novice penalty point limit?
Seven points leads to disqualification for drivers whose first learner permit was issued on or after 1 August 2014, during the permit and the first two years of the licence, according to NDLS.