Points on your driving record typically stay for either 4 or 11 years, depending on the severity of the offence and the type of endorsement received.

Duration of Points on Driving Record

• 4 years : Most endorsements stay on your driving record for 4 years. This period usually starts from the date of the offence or the date of conviction, depending on the offence type. For example, offences like reckless or dangerous driving and those resulting in disqualification usually remain for 4 years from the conviction date. Other common offences such as speeding, using a mobile phone while driving, or driving without insurance also fall into this category, with points staying on the licence for 4 years

• 11 years : More serious offences related to drink driving, drug driving, causing death by careless driving (especially under the influence), or failing to provide specimens for analysis stay on your driving record for 11 years from the date of conviction. These carry higher penalty points (up to 11 points) and longer retention periods due to their severity

Validity vs. Visibility

• The endorsement is considered valid (i.e., can be taken into account by courts for further offences) for a slightly shorter period than it remains on the record:
  • 3 years for 4-year endorsements
  • 10 years for 11-year endorsements

• Insurers and employers may be able to see endorsements during the full period or a slightly shorter window, for example, insurers often consider driving offences for up to 5 years even if points stay on the licence for 4 years

Example Summary Table

Offence Type| Points Range| Duration on Licence| Validity Period
---|---|---|---
Speeding, mobile phone use, insurance| 3 to 8| 4 years| 3 years
Reckless/dangerous driving| Varies| 4 years| 3 years
Drink driving, drug driving| 3 to 11| 11 years| 10 years
Causing death by careless driving| 3 to 11| 11 years| 10 years

In summary, points generally stay on your driving record for either 4 or 11 years depending on the offence, with serious offences like drink driving remaining for the longest time. The points are valid for a slightly shorter period during which they can influence court decisions and insurance rates