- You can be disqualified if you build up 12 or more penalty points within 3 years.
- Totting-up bans: 6 months, 12 months, then 2 years for a third within 3 years.
- Bans of 56 days or more: apply for a new licence before driving; under 56 days no new licence is needed.
- The court decides whether you must retake your test or take an extended test.
The ladder
| Disqualification | Length, per GOV.UK |
|---|---|
| First under totting up | 6 months |
| Second within 3 years | 12 months |
| Third within 3 years | 2 years |
For driving offences other than totting up, GOV.UK says the court decides the length by how serious it thinks the offence is. A court can sometimes reach a different outcome, which is a question for a solicitor.
How points build up
Each endorsable offence adds points, and the range depends on the offence. GOV.UK's examples include 3 to 6 points for speeding (SP30) or mobile phone use (CU80), 6 to 8 for no insurance (IN10) and 3 to 11 for drink driving (DR10). Two or three offences can therefore reach 12 quickly. GOV.UK also says there are different rules for new drivers; we did not read them, so we state no threshold for them.
After a ban
- Check the end date by viewing your licence record online.
- If the ban was 56 days or more, apply for a new licence before you drive again.
- If it was shorter, you do not need a new licence; check the record and resume when it ends.
- Do any retest or extended test the court ordered.
- If you drive lorries or buses, the application uses form D2; cars and motorbikes use form D1.
You may be able to ask the court that banned you to shorten it, but only after a set period and with a good reason. The rules are on reducing a ban lawfully.
Who the scams target
Drivers near 12 points are the audience for sellers promising to clear points or lift a ban. The offers cannot work: points end by time, bans by court decision or by serving them. Which? found social media sellers advertising licences with no tests, and DVLA called them recognised scams. The ban version is the driving ban removal scam, and the points version is the penalty points removal scam.
Where you stand
- Look at your record on GOV.UK, free, with your licence number, National Insurance number and licence postcode.
- Count points with offence dates inside the last three years, and read each code's range.
- Remember the record period is separate: how long points stay explains 4 and 11 years.
- If you are close, speak to a solicitor before paying anyone.
The viewing steps are on checking penalty points online.
Frequently asked questions
What happens at 12 points?
GOV.UK says you can be disqualified if you build up 12 or more penalty points within a period of 3 years. A court normally imposes the ban when it adds the points.
How long is a totting-up ban?
6 months for the first, 12 months for a second within 3 years, and 2 years for a third within 3 years, according to GOV.UK. Other offences carry a length set by the court.
Do I need a new licence after a ban?
If the ban is 56 days or more, you must apply for a new licence before driving again. Shorter bans end without a new application, but check your record first.
Can a ban be shortened?
You can ask the court that banned you after a set period and with a good reason, such as a legal error or circumstances the court did not fully consider. A seller cannot do it for you.
Can I pay to avoid a totting-up ban?
No. Points and bans are court matters recorded by DVLA. Offers to clear points or lift a ban are scams, and driving while disqualified is an offence under section 103 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.