What Are Driving Licence Endorsements?

Endorsements are any penalty points that you as a driver receive in relation to a motoring offence. These endorsements – or penalty points – are added to your driving licence and are effective for a period of time, which depends on the motoring offence. They are removed after that period of time is up.

You can accrue a maximum of twelve points at which time a disqualification – or ban – is normally awarded.

Totting Up

The so-called ‘Totting Up’ procedure is used to count how many penalty points you have on your licence. Once you have reached twelve points on your licence within a three year period you are normally disqualified.

New Drivers

Under the New Drivers Act if you accrue SIX penalty points within the first TWO years as a new driver; your licence will be taken off you and you will have to re-sit all parts of the driving test.

Types of Endorsement

The nature of the endorsement placed on your licence can vary:

• Accidents and Careless driving
• Alcohol or Drug Related
• Incorrect Documents
• Construction or Mechanical
• Speeding

Accidents

• Failing to stop at the scene of an accident 5 to 10 points
• Failing to report an accident 5 to 10 points

Alcohol Related

• Driving with excess alcohol 3 to 11 points and ban
• Refusing a Breath Test 3 to 11 points

Incorrect Documentation

• Driving without insurance 6 to 8 points
• Driving without a valid Driving Licence 3 to 6 points

Speeding

• Exceeding the speed limit on a road 3 to 6 points
• Exceeding the speed limit on a motorway 3 to 6 points

Again there are also endorsements for driving without Road Tax and driving without a valid MOT: both of these offences carry fines and the police can administer these fines on the spot as fixed penalties.

If you are able to continue driving with endorsements on your licence you may be required to inform your current employer especially if your company supplies you with a company vehicle and you are covered by a company insurance policy. A failure to declare such endorsements on your licence can result in dismissal.

Having endorsements on your licence may also increase the premiums paid on your own personal insurance policy and again, a failure to declare such endorsements can result in your insurance company negating your policy and prosecuting you for fraudulently obtaining an insurance policy.

If you are in any doubt as to your circumstances regarding endorsements you should contact the DVLA who will be able to provide you with further information.