A Breakdown of How Penalty Points Are Allocated

Penalty points are imposed on motorists who have been found guilty of committing a traffic offence. There are many different types of offence for which points can be issued, and they range on a scale from one point to eleven, and are broken down into 15 categories.

Each of the 15 categories has within it, unique endorsement codes which relate to the particular offence committed. These range from accidents, careless driving, drink or drug related offences and speeding.

Accidents

Unfortunately, accidents are a common occurrence on the road and if you are found guilty of any of the following offences, then you can receive between 4-10 points - depending on the severity of the misdemeanour.

For either of the following offences you can be awarded 5-10 points:

• Failing to stop after an accident (AC10)
• Failing to give particulars or report an accident within 24 hours (AC20)

All other offences in this section could see your licence endorsed with 4-9 points and will be recorded as:

• Undefined accident offences (AC30)

Careless Driving

Careless driving is something we hear a lot of in the news these days and if you find yourself prosecuted for such an offence then you can expect to be issued with anything from three to eleven points.

The following offences carry 3-9 points:

• Driving without due care and attention (CD10)
• Driving without reasonable consideration for other road users (CD20)
• Driving without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other road users (CD30)

The following would see you get 3-11 points:

• Causing death through careless driving when unfit through drink (CD40)
• Causing death by careless driving when unfit through drugs (CD50)
• Causing death by careless driving with alcohol level above the limit (CD60)
• Causing death by careless driving then failing to supply a specimen for analysis (CD70)

Driving an Un-roadworthy Vehicle

Driving an un-road worthy vehicle is not just dangerous for you and other drivers but you could find yourself disqualified from driving with a number of these endorsements added together:

The following offence codes all carry each 3 points.

• Using a vehicle with defective brakes (CU10)
• Causing or likely to cause danger by reason of use of unsuitable vehicle or using a vehicle with parts or accessories (excluding brakes, steering or tyres) in a dangerous condition (CU20)
• Using a vehicle with defective tyre(s)(CU30)*
• Using a vehicle with defective steering (CU40)
• Causing or likely to cause danger by reason of load or passengers (CU50)

* In the case of tyres you could receive that penalty for each tyre, so 4 defective tyres could see you with 12 points and an automatic ban.

Drink or Drug-driving

Driving whilst under the influence of either drugs or alcohol is dangerous and carries hefty penalties. 

Being caught doing any of the following could see you receive between 3-11 points:

• Driving or attempting to drive with alcohol level above the limit (DR10)
• Driving while unfit through drink (DR20)
• Driving then failing to supply a specimen for analysis (DR30)
• Driving or attempting to drive when unfit through drugs (DR80)

Wheras these carry a penalty of 10 points:

• In charge of a vehicle while alcohol level above limit (DR40)
• In charge of a vehicle while unfit through drink (DR50)
• In charge of a vehicle when unfit through drugs (DR90)
• Failure to provide a specimen for analysis in circumstances other than driving or attempting to drive (DR60)  

Speeding is the most common endorsement found on most driving licences and in this category the offences carry between 3-6 points:

• Exceeding goods vehicle speed limits (SP10)
• Exceeding speed limit for type of vehicle (excluding goods or passenger vehicle) (SP20)
• Exceeding statutory speed limit on a public road (SP30)
• Exceeding speeding limit on a motorway (SP50)

If you only have a provisional licence, the penalties and endorsements will affect your full licence in a different way

There are too many endorsement codes to cover in full within this article, but the complete list along with details can be found via the DVLA and directgov website which is located at : www.direct.gov.uk.

* codes and penalty information from direct.gov.uk

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