Endorsements

What are 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 usually of around three years, although they are displayed on you licence for four, after which time they are removed.

You can accrue a maximum of twelve points at which time a disqualification – or ban – is normally awarded. However this is at the magistrate’s discretion and there can be occasions when this may not be the case.

Totting Up

The so-called ‘Totting Up’ procedure is used when it comes to counting 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 automatically disqualified.

However given changes in the legislation in relation to new drivers, a new driver can only accrue six penalty points within their first two years as a new driver; any more than this will result in disqualification.

Types of Endorsement

The nature of the endorsement placed on your licence can vary but normally there are one of four different types of endorsement that can be awarded.

• Accidents
• Alcohol Related
• Documentary
• Speeding

Within each of these groups are the following and their corresponding penalty points and fines.

Accidents

• Failing to stop at the scene of an accident (five to ten points and up to £5,000 fine)
• Failing to report an accident (five to ten points and up to £5,000 fine)

Alcohol Related

• Driving with excess alcohol (Compulsory ban, up to £5,000 fine and four points)
• Refusing a Breath Test (Possible ban, up to £1,000 fine and four points)
• In Charge of Vehicle with excess alcohol (Possible ban, up to £2,500 fine and 10 points)

Documentary

• Driving without insurance (6 to 8 points added to licence, up to £5,000 fine and possible ban)
• Driving without a valid Driving Licence (Up to a £1,000 fine, possible ban and 3 to 6 points)

Speeding

Exceeding the speed limit on a road (3 to 6 points on licence, up to £1,000 fine and possible ban)

Exceeding the speed limit on a motorway (3 to 6 points, up to £2,500 fine and possible ban)

Again there are also endorsements for driving without Road Tax and driving without a valid MOT: both of these offences carry fines of up to £1,000 and the police can administer these fines on the spot as Fixed Penalties.

If you find yourself as the recipient of one of the aforementioned endorsements you must ensure that you stick to the conditions as handed down by the magistrate at the time of a conviction. Failure to do so can involve heftier fines and possible custodial sentences if you ignore the conditions of your conviction.

If you are able to continue driving with endorsements on your licence it may be required of you to inform your current employer as to the endorsements on your licence, especially in the circumstances where the company you work for supply 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.

Likewise it is important to remember that having such endorsements on your licence will 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.