How to Check Driving Licence Points Online in the UK (2026 Guide)

If you want to check driving licence points online, you can use the official government service to view your driving record and see whether penalty points or driving disqualifications are recorded against your licence.

Checking your record is useful if you have received a speeding penalty, been convicted of a motoring offence, or need to confirm your driving status for an employer or car hire company. It can also help you understand when an endorsement is due to be removed from your record.

This guide explains how to check your UK driving licence points online, what information you need, how long endorsements remain on your record and what to do if something appears incorrect.

For more information about UK licensing, visit our UK driving licence guide.

How to Check Driving Licence Points Online

In England, Scotland and Wales, you can check your driving record through the official GOV.UK service.

Step 1: Open the Official DVLA Service

Visit the GOV.UK View or Share Your Driving Licence Information service.

Make sure you are using the official government website rather than a third-party service that may charge for information available directly from GOV.UK.

Step 2: Prepare Your Details

To access your driving record online, you will generally need:

• Your driving licence number.
• Your National Insurance number.
• The postcode shown on your driving licence.

You may need to retrieve your National Insurance number if you cannot remember it.

Step 3: View Your Driving Record

Follow the instructions to access your record. The service allows you to check information such as:

• The vehicle categories you are entitled to drive.
• Penalty points and endorsements.
• Driving disqualifications.
• Other information recorded against your licence.

Review the details carefully, especially if you have recently received a penalty or court decision.

Step 4: Check the Endorsement Details

If points appear on your record, review the endorsement code, the offence information and the dates shown.

The code helps identify the type of motoring offence. The applicable rules determine how long the endorsement remains on your record and when it is due to be removed.

Use the official GOV.UK guide to checking endorsement details if you need help understanding the information.

Can You Check Driving Licence Points Without Your Licence Number?

The online service normally requires your driving licence number, National Insurance number and the postcode associated with your licence.

If you have lost your photocard, you may still have your licence number recorded in other paperwork or correspondence. If you cannot find it, use the official government guidance to establish the appropriate next step.

Avoid sharing your licence number or National Insurance number with unverified websites or people who do not need the information.

If your photocard has been lost or stolen, read our guide to replacing a UK driving licence.

How to Check Someone Else’s Driving Licence Points

You cannot simply access another person’s private driving record without their permission.

If you have a legitimate reason to check someone else’s driving entitlement, such as an employer checking a driver or a car hire company verifying eligibility, the driver can generate a licence check code through the official service.

You will generally need:

• The last eight characters of the driver’s licence number.
• A valid check code supplied by the driver.

The code is valid for 21 days. The service explains how to use it to check the permitted information.

Use the official GOV.UK service for checking someone else’s driving licence.

Never attempt to obtain another person’s driving record without authorisation.

How Long Do Driving Licence Points Stay on Your Record?

Penalty points do not all remain on a driving record for the same length of time. The period depends on the endorsement code and the offence.

For many offences, endorsements remain on the driving record for four years. Certain serious offences, including some alcohol- and drug-related offences, remain for 11 years.

It is important to distinguish between the period an endorsement stays on the record and the period during which the penalty points are relevant for disqualification calculations.

The exact rules depend on the offence and the dates involved.

You can check the applicable period using the official GOV.UK endorsement codes and penalty points guide.

How Many Driving Licence Points Can You Have Before a Ban?

In Great Britain, a driver can generally be disqualified if they accumulate 12 or more penalty points within a three-year period. This is often called a “totting-up” disqualification.

However, the outcome depends on the circumstances and the applicable legal rules. A court determines whether a disqualification applies, and different rules exist for new drivers.

If you have received points recently, check your current record and obtain appropriate legal advice if you are concerned that you may face disqualification.

Do not assume that reaching a particular total automatically removes your right to drive without a formal decision.

Read the official GOV.UK penalty points overview.

What Are the Penalty Points Rules for New Drivers?

In Great Britain, special rules apply during the first two years after passing your first driving test.

If you accumulate six or more penalty points during this period, your licence can be revoked under the New Drivers Act. You will normally need to apply for a provisional licence and pass the required theory and practical tests again before regaining full driving entitlement.

This is different from the general totting-up rules that apply to other drivers.

If you are a new driver and have received penalty points, check your record and the official rules promptly.

For more information, visit GOV.UK guidance on new drivers and penalty points.

Can You Remove Driving Licence Points From Your Record?

Penalty points cannot normally be removed simply because you request it or pay a service provider.

Endorsements remain on your record for the period specified by the applicable rules. If you believe an endorsement was recorded incorrectly, you should follow the official procedure to challenge or correct the information.

If an endorsement is shown incorrectly following a court conviction, GOV.UK advises contacting the court that convicted you.

Do not rely on a company that promises guaranteed removal of valid penalty points. A legitimate correction must follow the relevant legal or administrative process.

You can read more about the subject in our guide to driving licence points and removal procedures.

What Should You Do If Your Driving Licence Points Are Incorrect?

If your online driving record shows points or an endorsement that you believe is wrong, take the following steps.

1. Review the Record

Check the endorsement code, offence date and other details. Compare them with any official notices or court documents you have received.

2. Identify the Type of Error

The appropriate route depends on whether the issue concerns a court conviction, the recording of an endorsement or another administrative detail.

3. Contact the Relevant Authority

If the endorsement details are incorrect following a court conviction, the official guidance says to contact the court that convicted you.

For other issues, follow the relevant DVLA instructions.

4. Keep Your Supporting Documents

Keep copies of official notices, correspondence and any reference numbers. These may help the relevant authority investigate the issue.

Do not assume that an endorsement has been corrected until you have confirmation.

Can You Check Driving Licence Points in Northern Ireland?

Northern Ireland has a separate driving licence system, and endorsement codes and processes can differ from those in Great Britain.

If your licence was issued in Northern Ireland, use the relevant nidirect driving licence guidance to find the appropriate process.

Make sure you use guidance that applies to the jurisdiction that issued your licence.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it free to check driving licence points online?

The official GOV.UK service for viewing your own driving record is free. Use the official website rather than paying an unnecessary third-party fee.

2. What details do I need to check my driving licence points?

You generally need your driving licence number, National Insurance number and the postcode associated with your licence.

3. Can I check my points using only my name?

The official online service requires additional information to verify your identity. Your name alone is not enough to access your private driving record.

4. How long does it take for new penalty points to appear online?

The timing can depend on how the endorsement is processed and recorded. If you believe your record is incomplete or incorrect, follow the official DVLA or court guidance.

5. Do driving licence points disappear automatically?

Endorsements remain on your record for the applicable period. Their removal and the period during which points count towards disqualification are governed by the relevant rules. Check the official record and guidance for your specific endorsement.

6. Can I drive while I have penalty points?

Having penalty points does not automatically mean you are disqualified. However, you must comply with any court order or disqualification and meet all other legal requirements to drive.

7. Can I check another driver’s points without their permission?

You must not access another person’s private driving information without permission. The official service for checking another driver’s licence requires the appropriate information and authorisation from that driver.

Final Thoughts

Checking your driving licence points online is a straightforward way to review your driving record, confirm recorded endorsements and understand whether any points may affect your entitlement to drive.

Use the official GOV.UK service, check endorsement details carefully and contact the relevant authority if you believe an entry is incorrect. Remember that penalty-point rules differ for new drivers and that Northern Ireland uses a separate licensing system.

For related information, explore our UK driving licence guide and our guide to driving licence points and removal procedures.

Official sources

• View or share your driving licence information — GOV.UK
• How to check endorsement details — GOV.UK
• Penalty points and endorsements — GOV.UK
• Endorsement codes and penalty points — GOV.UK
• Check someone else’s driving licence — GOV.UK