- Endorsements stay on the driving record for 4 or 11 years depending on the offence (GOV.UK).
- 12 or more points within 3 years leads to disqualification.
- Courts, not sellers, endorse a licence after a motoring conviction.
- Which? found sellers offering to remove points and bans in the adverts it published on 17 January 2024.
What is offered
Which? found fake-licence sellers who also promised to remove bans and points. Motoring press reported in early 2026 that more than 20 TikTok accounts were selling licences, “points removal” at £200 and “ban lifting” at £600. The pitch is that an insider can wipe the record.
Why it cannot work
| The seller says | What GOV.UK says |
|---|---|
| “We can delete points from the DVLA system.” | Courts endorse the record when someone is convicted. Points leave after 4 or 11 years, depending on the offence. |
| “It will be gone within days.” | The record shows when each endorsement will be removed. |
| “Send your licence number to start.” | You can see your own points free on GOV.UK without a third party. |
See how long points stay on a licence.
How it tends to unfold
- A video or post offers to clean your licence.
- The seller asks for your licence number, name and address, then a fee of around £200.
- You are told it will update soon.
- Check your record on GOV.UK: the points are still there.
- The seller goes silent or asks for more, and now holds your details.
The fee levels are from press reports; the check in step 4 is the GOV.UK service.
Check it yourself in two minutes
- Sign in to view your driving licence record on GOV.UK with your licence number, National Insurance number and licence postcode.
- Read the points and the date each will be removed.
- Compare that date with any promise the seller made.
It is an old trick
In February 2020 DVLA reported that fraud reports had risen 20% to 1,538 in the last quarter of 2019. It listed fake penalty point removal, the sale of stolen documents and phishing among the tactics. GOV.UK remains the only place to look for DVLA information.
What it costs you
The £200 goes, the points stay, and the seller holds your licence number, address or login details. If you are near 12 points, the stakes are higher: see totting up. The related ban version is the driving ban removal scam, and your own record is in checking penalty points online.
If you already paid
Tell your bank, keep the messages and report to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040 in England and Wales or to Police Scotland. The full order is in what to do after paying.
Frequently asked questions
Can anyone remove penalty points for a fee?
No. Points are held on the DVLA record, endorsed by courts, and leave after 4 or 11 years depending on the offence.
How much do sellers charge to remove points?
Press reports from early 2026 put it at £200.
Did DVLA warn about this?
Yes. Its 24 February 2020 statement named fake penalty point removal among fraud tactics.
How do I check when my points come off?
Sign in to view your driving record on GOV.UK. It shows what you have and when each will be removed.
What happens at 12 points?
12 or more points within 3 years leads to disqualification, per GOV.UK.
Who adds penalty points?
Courts, which can fine you and endorse your record after a motoring conviction.
Sources and official links
- GOV.UK: penalty points (endorsements)
- GOV.UK: penalty points (endorsements)
- GOV.UK: view or share your driving licence information
- Which?: ads for fake driving licences found on Facebook and Instagram
- GOV.UK: scam email warning for DVLA customers
- GOV.UK: report suspicious emails, texts, websites and scams