How can I check my driving penalty points and how many can you get before you lose your licence?
Here's how to check how many points you have and what sentence dangerous driving carries
PENALTY points on your driving licence are dreaded by any driver, and many motorists are unsure how many they can get before losing their licence altogether.
Any points on your licence come with consequences - here we look at how long they stay on record, how much they'll increase your insurance premiums, and what happens if you try to pass them off to another motorist.
Speeding lands you three to six points depending on how far you exceed the limit.
If you're up to 10 miles per hour over a 30mph limit, you'll get three points on your licence, for example.
But if you're 11 to 20mph over the limit, you'll get between four and six points.
Driving 50mph or over in a 30mph zone will get you a minimum of six points on your licence.
More stringent regulations were launched in April this year, and stated that up to 10mph over for a 30mph limit will result in three points.
Using your mobile at the wheel will get your six points and a £200, after rules have been tightened up.
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Meanwhile, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs could get you up to 11 points or even a prison sentence.
Crucially, motorists will be disqualified from driving if you get 12 points or more in a three-year period.
How can you check your driving penalty points?
The easiest place to check how many points you have on your licence is through the .
To access your record, you'll need to know your driving licence number, national insurance number and postcode.
Fill in those details and you'll find able to find out about any penalty points or disqualifications on your licence.
What sentence does dangerous driving carry?
You can be prosecuted for dangerous driving at either a Magistrates' Court or a Crown Court.
If you're convicted at a Magistrates' Court, the sentence is a maximum sentence of six months, a £5,000 fine and disqualification from driving.
If you are convicted at a Crown Court, you can get up to two years in prison, an unlimited fine, a mandatory disqualification, and will face an extended driving test to regain your licence.
You can be charged with dangerous driving if you have aided, caused or incited dangerous driving; caused serious injury by dangerous driving; and by driving furiously.
How long do points stay on my driving licence?
Points remain on your licence for either four or 11 years depending on the offence.
This means your insurance is likely to increase during this time, because you are perceived as being a bigger risk.
Car cover broker comparethemarket.com has said that premiums can cost up to 76% more for a driver with six points on their licence.
The start date is either from the day of conviction if you're punished for dangerous driving, or from the day of offence if you've been disqualified and in all other circumstances.
The 11-year so-called "endorsement" is usually reserved for causing death by careless driving.
What if I'm a new driver or only have a provisional licence?
If you only passed your test two years ago or sooner, your licence will be revoked if you land six points or more.
The points from your provisional licence will also be carried over to your full one.
What happens if I'm caught passing on my points to someone else?
Some drivers might be tempted to pretend someone else was at the wheel in order to get out of having points on their licence.
Labour MP Fiona Onasanya was found guilty of lying about speeding points in 2018, for example.
In fact, one in five drivers admit to taking points from other people.
But beware if you're tempted to do this - it comes with a risk of jail time.
Half of those who accept points for someone else, do so for their partner or significant other, according to a survey by Co-op Insurance.
Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart director of policy and research, said: “You would be charged with perverting the course of justice if you get taken to court – more commonly 'failure to give information as to identity of driver' could be applied to your licence if you don’t tell them who was driving – that’s a fine plus six points on your licence.
"It would take the involvement of a very dedicated policeman or speed camera employee to get caught as most speeding tickets are issued virtually automatically - but a human review of the picture is normally done before the paperwork is posted off.
"Therefore if a man is clearly seen at the wheel and a woman’s name is supplied they may recheck.
"In short, being accused of perverting the course of justice is not something anyone wants connected to them – especially for the sake of points on your licence."