If I Get 6 Points on My Licence in the first 2 years, What Happens?
Ever wondered if I get 6 Points on my licence in the first 2 years, what happens? This will answer that – how to stay legal and how to keep your licence.
You’ve passed your test. Much of your hard-earned money has been spent on lessons and many, many hours of your time taken up learning to drive. Well done – you’ve finally got your licence. But – your instructor told you something on your first lesson – Protect your licence – you’ll be on probation for two years after passing your test. If you get your licence endorsed with six points or more in those two years you’ll regret it… Lets look at what that actually meant.
What does Endorsed With Points Actually Mean?
Some rule-breaking on the road attracts points – officially called licence endorsements. Not all rule-breaking does. Unlawful parking usually does not unless it involves more serious offences too. More serious offences do, and the more endorsements, or points you get in a given period of time, the sooner you can lose your licence.
The New Drivers Act 1995
This act of Parliament came into force in 1997, and simply means to you that if I get 6 points or more on my licence in the first two years after passing their test, my driving licence is revoked. Revoked means that the licence is cancelled, and to drive again a new provisional licence must be obtained, and both the theory and practical tests must be sat and passed. At time of writing (January 2025) the waiting time locally for a theory test is four months and for a practical test it’s five months. That means potentially it could feel like being forbidden the freedom to drive alone for nine months at least – as a minimum.
How Could I Be Given Six Penalty Points?
In short – foolishness. Speeding attracts at least three points – and don’t assume you’ll ‘get a course’. A Speed Awareness Course is only available at the discretion of the authorities, and only for a minor offence – and only in certain districts. Even if you got a course, you can only get one every three years. Some other offences that attract points are:
- Using a hand-held mobile phone when driving [for any reason whatsoever] – 6 points
- Dangerous driving – 3 to 11 (if not disqualified)
- Careless and inconsiderate driving – 3 to 9 points
- Failing to stop after an accident or failing to report an accident – 5 to 9 points
- Driving without insurance – 6 to 8 points
- Traffic light offences – 3 points
- Failure to have proper control of vehicle – 3 points
Example Situations
Situation A:
On December 22nd 2022 you passed your test.
You trigger a speed camera on December 20th, 2024.
In late December 2025 you get a letter – you’ve to identify the driver, so you comply because that’s the law. Not to do so is an offence in itself. A short time later, the process concludes with you having to pay a fixed penalty and you now have six points on your licence.
Why did I get six points? Because you already had three from last year.
As you now have six points on your licence, your licence is revoked. You are off the road. Your second speeding offence was two days from the second anniversary of your pass date. It’s the date of the offence that counts, not the date of the end of the process.
Situation A:
On December 22nd 2022 you passed your test.
You trigger a speed camera on December 20th, 2024.
In late December 2025 you get a letter – you’ve to identify the driver, so you comply because that’s the law. Not to do so is an offence in itself. A short time later, the process concludes with you having to pay a fixed penalty and you now have six points on your licence.
Why did I get six points? Because you already had three from last year.
As you now have six points on your licence, your licence is revoked. You are off the road. Your second speeding offence was two days from the second anniversary of your pass date. It’s the date of the offence that counts, not the date of the end of the process.
Situation B
You’ve had your licence for eighteen months. Next week you’re going to change your car for one with a touchscreen so you can play your music more easily. Today you do what you always do and change your playlist by picking up your phone that’s on the seat beside you, plugged into the dash. The driver behind you sees what you did, and when they get home, they upload their nice hi-def dashcam footage to the police website called operation snap. The police charge you with Using a hand-held mobile phone when driving and you receive six points. Your licence is now revoked.
What Happens After Your Licence is Revoked?
You’ll need to reapply for a provisional licence, then retake both your theory and practical tests.
It’s highly likely that more driving lessons will be required to get back in shape for the test – which itself may have changed a bit since the last time you sat it. Be prepared for your insurance costs to be considerably higher now your licence has been compromised.
How Long do Points Stay on My Driving Licence?
Most penalty points remain ‘live’ for three years, but remain on the licence for four years. For drink driving, drug driving, and causing death by careless driving the points remain on the licence for 11 years. You will not have your licence revoked a second time but if you gain 12 points within 3 years you will likely be banned from driving by a magistrate’s court. Your ban will likely be for a minimum of six months and could be for more.
What Is The Best Way To Avoid Penalty Points?
Do not break the law. It’s as simple as that. Avoid excessive speed, make sure your car documents are in order and stay off your phone. If you are ever offered a Speed Awareness Course, or a Driver Awareness Course – take it. It will be instead of points. Remember though, that you can only have one type of course in three years.
What If My Licence Is Vital To Me for Genuine Reasons?
You may choose to engage a solicitor and fight the revocation in court under an ‘exceptional hardship’ claim. This is difficult to win, and even more so for new drivers.
In Conclusion: Protect Your Licence and Stay on the Road
Gaining six penalty points on your driving licence in the first two years and yaving your licence revoked will cost you money, time and heartache. It might even cost you your job and, worse, your home. Therefore, protect your licence by following the rules and playing it safe. You worked hard to get your licence, so make sure you keep it. So – instead of worrying about what if I get 6 points in the first 2 years, just stay on the right side of the law and you can relax. Safe driving!
More information on this topic in our FAQ