The thresholds
| Licence | Disqualified at |
|---|---|
| Full licence | 12 points |
| Learner permit | 7 points |
| Novice (first 2 years after passing) | 7 points |
Reaching the threshold within a three-year period brings an automatic six-month disqualification.
How points work
Points stay on your record for three years, and come into effect 28 days after you are notified.
Paying a fixed charge notice accepts the points without a court appearance. Contesting it in court risks a higher number if you are convicted — most offences carry a lower figure on the fixed charge and a higher one on conviction.
Common offences
| Offence | Points on fixed charge |
|---|---|
| Speeding | 3 |
| Using a mobile phone while driving | 3 |
| Not wearing a seatbelt | 3 |
| Driving without reasonable consideration | 2 |
| Dangerous overtaking of a cyclist | 3 |
| No insurance | 5 (on conviction) |
Seatbelts are the driver's responsibility
The driver is legally responsible for every passenger under 17 being properly restrained. Not the passenger, not their parent — the person behind the wheel.
The arithmetic that matters for learners
Seven points is two speeding tickets and a phone call. A learner who picks up a handful of fixed charges in their first year loses the permit before they ever sit the driving test.