Many learner drivers do not realise that they can get points on their provisional licence, or that any penalty points on your provisional licence that haven’t expired when you pass your t est will be carried over to your full licence.
How long do points stay on my provisional licence?
Most points stay on your licence for four years from the date of conviction including the following offences:
- Reckless/dangerous driving – shown on the licence as DD40, DD60 and DD80
- Offences resulting in disqualification
- Disqualified from holding a full driving licence until a driving test has been passed
However, the endorsement will stay on your licence for 11 years from the date of conviction if the offence is:
- Drinking or drugs and driving – shown on the licence as DR10, DR20, DR30 and DR80
- Causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs – shown on the licence as CD40, CD50 and CD60
- Causing death by careless driving, then failing to provide a specimen for analysis – shown on the licence as CD70
Can I still take my driving test with points on my licence?
As a learner driver you can accumulate up to 11 penalty points and still take your driving test. Any penalty points on your provisional licence that haven’t expired will be carried over to your full licence when you pass your test.
Having six or more does not mean your licence will be revoked straight after you pass your test. It just means that if you get any more points within 2 years of passing the test, you’ll lose your license.
However, if you get 12 points on your license within 3 years as a learner driver you’ll have to go to court and you’ll likely have your provisional license revoked.
What will happen when I pass my test?
Under the New Drivers Act, your licence will be cancelled if you get any further penalty points that take you up to a total of 6 or more within 2 years of passing your driving test.
You would then need to apply for another provisional driving licence. You’d also have to pass the theory and practical test again. Passing the retest does not remove the penalty points from the licence. If the total reaches 12 or more you may be disqualified.
One of the common offences for learner drivers is an IN10. You can receive this for driving without the correct insurance. Make sure you don’t get caught out by using learner driver insurance whenever you need to hit the road.
Provisional points panic
Make sure you’re insured
Learner driver insurance is an easy way to get extra practice in a friend or family member’s car from 2 hours to 180 days, with no impact on the owner’s no claims bonus. You could be on the road in minutes!