The Penalty Points & Endorsement Codes – All You Need To Know Guide 

 

Understanding penalty points and endorsement codes is crucial for all new and experienced drivers, as they reflect offences committed and their severity. These points and codes, recorded on driving licences, inform both legal authorities and insurance companies of one’s driving history. Knowing the specifics can help drivers grasp the consequences of their actions on the road and the importance of adhering to traffic laws to maintain a clean driving record. These points are reflective of both provisional and full licence GB holders. 

 

What are endorsement codes?

 

Endorsement codes are specific markers used in the UK to record driving offences on an individual’s driving licence. Each code corresponds to a different type of offence, detailing the nature of the offence and its severity. These codes, along with the associated penalty points, help authorities and insurance companies assess a driver’s history and adherence to road laws. Understanding these codes is crucial for drivers to recognize the implications of their driving behaviours and the potential impact on their driving privileges.

 

The Penalty Points & Endorsement Codes

 

Accident Offences – points and codes 

 

For failing to stop post-accident, the offence code AC10 can result in 5 to 10 points on your licence. Not providing your details or reporting an accident within a day, listed under code AC20, also carries a penalty of 5 to 10 points. Code AC30, which covers other accident-related offences, may lead to receiving 4 to 9 points. Each code signifies the seriousness of the offence and the corresponding penalty points reflect the impact on your driving record.

 

Disqualified Drivers – points and codes 

 

For offences involving driving while disqualified, codes BA10 and BA30 are used. Both carry a penalty of 6 points on the driving record. BA10 applies to those caught driving when disqualified by court order, while BA30 is for attempts to drive under disqualification. These endorsements are recorded for 4 years from the offence date, reflecting the serious legal breach of driving disqualifications.

 

For offences related to driving while disqualified that result in grave consequences, codes BA40 and BA60 are applied, each carrying a penalty range of 3 to 11 points. BA40 is issued for causing death by driving when disqualified, and BA60 for causing serious injury under the same circumstances. These endorsements remain on the driver’s record for four years from the conviction date, underscoring the severity of these offences.

 

Careless Driving – points and codes 

 

Careless driving points and endorsement codes are assigned for driving behaviours that lack due care for the road, other users, or are inconsiderate. These codes, ranging from CD10 to CD90, reflect the seriousness of the offence, with penalty points varying to underscore the impact of such actions on road safety.

 

Endorsement codes CD10 to CD33, related to careless driving, have a duration of 4 years from the offence date on a driving record. These codes cover a range of behaviours from driving without due care and attention (CD10) and without consideration for others (CD20), to causing serious injury by careless driving (CD33), with penalties ranging from 3 to 9 points. These points reflect the legal system’s emphasis on responsible driving and the serious consequences of failing to adhere to this standard.

 

For offences related to causing death by careless driving or driving without a valid licence, insurance, or disqualification, codes CD80 and CD90 are applied, each carrying a penalty of 3 to 11 points. These codes and endorsements are noted on a driving record for 4 years from the date of conviction, highlighting the serious consequences of such actions and emphasising the legal emphasis on responsible driving to prevent such tragic outcomes.

 

Construction And Use offences – points and codes 

 

Construction and use offences involve the condition and proper use of a vehicle, ensuring it meets safety standards and is operated attentively on the road. These offences encompass a wide range of issues, from faulty brakes to the dangerous use of mobile phones while driving, highlighting the legal emphasis on maintaining vehicle safety and responsible driving.

 

These codes, staying on a driving record for 4 years from the offence date, cover a range of issues from using a vehicle with defective brakes (CU10) to driving with defective steering (CU40) and using a mobile phone while controlling the vehicle (CU80). Each offence can incur a penalty of 3 points, except CU80, which can range from 3 to 6 points, highlighting the importance of maintaining vehicle safety and attentive driving.

 

Reckless and Dangerous Driving – points and codes

 

In the realm of driving, certain offences are regarded with utmost severity due to their potential to cause harm. These include causing serious injury or death through dangerous driving practices, which are codified in specific endorsement codes ranging from DD10 to DD90. These codes are not just numbers; they reflect grave offences that have led to serious consequences. The penalty points associated with these offences, ranging from 3 to 11, stay on a driver’s record for four years from the conviction date, serving as a stark reminder of the importance of safe driving.

 

Drink Driving – points and codes

 

For offences related to driving under the influence of alcohol or failing to provide a specimen for analysis, the endorsement codes range from DR10 to DR61. These are serious violations that reflect driving or attempting to drive while over the legal alcohol limit or refusing necessary tests. Convictions under these codes necessitate that the penalty points, varying from 3 to 11 based on the offence’s severity, remain on the driving record for 11 years, underlining the lasting consequences of such actions on one’s driving privileges and record.

 

Drug Driving – points and codes

 

For offences involving driving under the influence of drugs, either prescription or illegal, codes DG10, DG60, and DR80 are applied, with penalty points ranging from 3 to 11. These codes represent driving or attempting to drive above the legal drug limit, and the severity of these offences is reflected in the duration these points stay on a driving record—11 years from the date of conviction. This highlights the long-term impact of drug-related driving offences on an individual’s driving record and emphasises the importance of sober driving.

 

Insurance Offences – points and codes

 

Driving without insurance, covered by code IN10, attracts 6 to 8 penalty points and highlights the legal requirement to insure your vehicle against third-party risks. This ensures that in the event of an accident, there’s financial protection for everyone involved. These points remain on a driver’s record for 4 years, underscoring the serious consequences of neglecting this vital aspect of vehicle ownership.

 

Driving Licence Offences – points and codes

 

Licence offences include a range of violations such as LC20, driving not in line with the licence conditions, or LC50, driving after a licence has been revoked due to medical reasons. These offences attract 3 to 6 penalty points, emphasising the importance of adhering to the terms of your driving licence and ensuring your fitness to drive. These points serve as a reminder of the legal and safety obligations tied to driving privileges and remain on the driving record for 4 years.

 

Speed Limit Offences – points and codes

 

Speeding offences, marked by codes SP10 through SP50, relate to exceeding speed limits across various vehicle categories, from goods vehicles to motorways. Each violation carries a penalty ranging from 3 to 6 points, reflecting the seriousness of speeding in relation to road safety. These points underscore the legal responsibilities of drivers to adhere to speed limits and are recorded on a driver’s licence for 4 years, serving as a reminder of the importance of maintaining safe speeds on public roads.

 

Traffic Direction and Signs – points and codes

 

Traffic signal offences, encapsulated in codes TS10 through TS70, involve various failures to comply with road signs and signals. Each of these offences results in 3 penalty points on your driving record, highlighting the importance of adhering to traffic regulations to ensure safety. These points remain on the driving record for 4 years, serving as a reminder of the commitment drivers must have towards following traffic laws, from obeying traffic lights to respecting school crossing patrols.

 

To summarise…

 

This overview of driving offences and their respective penalty points emphasises the importance of road safety and legal compliance for new drivers. From speeding to failing to follow traffic signals, each code carries specific penalty points, highlighting the consequences of unsafe driving behaviours. New drivers should familiarise themselves with these regulations to avoid penalties, ensure their safety, and maintain a clean driving record. Understanding these codes and the duration points remain on your record is crucial for navigating your early years on the road responsibly. For more information on endorsement codes please visit: https://www.gov.uk/penalty-points-endorsements/endorsement-codes-and-penalty-points