Annex 5. Penalties

Information and rules about penalties, including points and disqualification, a penalty table, new drivers and other consequences of offending.

Penalties and The Highway Code

Parliament sets the maximum penalties for road traffic offences. The seriousness of the offence is reflected in the maximum penalty. It is for the courts to decide what sentence to impose according to circumstances.

The penalty table indicates some of the main offences, and the associated penalties. There is a wide range of other more specific offences which, for the sake of simplicity, are not shown here. The penalty points and disqualification system is described below.

Penalty points and disqualification

The penalty point system is intended to deter drivers and motorcyclists from following unsafe motoring practices. Certain non-motoring offences, e.g. failure to rectify vehicle defects, can also attract penalty points.

The court MUST order points to be endorsed on the licence according to the fixed number or the range set by Parliament. The accumulation of penalty points acts as a warning to drivers and motorcyclists that they risk disqualification if further offences are committed.

Law RTOA sects 44 & 45

A driver or motorcyclist who accumulates 12 or more penalty points within a 3-year period MUST be disqualified. This will be for a minimum period of 6 months, or longer if the driver or motorcyclist has previously been disqualified.

Law RTOA sect 35

For every offence which carries penalty points the court has a discretionary power to order the licence holder to be disqualified. This may be for any period the court thinks fit, but will usually be between a week and a few months.

In the case of serious offences, such as dangerous driving and drink-driving, the court MUST order disqualification. The minimum period is 12 months, but for repeat offenders or where the alcohol level is high, it may be longer. For example, a second drink-drive offence in the space of 10 years will result in a minimum of 3 years’ disqualification.

Law RTOA sect 34

Penalty table

Offence Maximum penalty Penalty points
Causing death by dangerous driving Life imprisonment / Unlimited fine / Obligatory - 5 years minimum 3 to 11 (if exceptionally not disqualified)
Dangerous driving 2 years’ imprisonment / Unlimited fine / Obligatory disqualification 3 to 11 (if exceptionally not disqualified)
Causing death by careless driving under the influence of drink or drugs Life imprisonment / Unlimited fine / Obligatory - 5 years minimum 3 to 11 (if exceptionally not disqualified)
Careless and inconsiderate driving Unlimited fine / Discretionary disqualification 3 to 9
Driving while unfit through drink or drugs or with excess alcohol: or failing to provide a specimen for analysis 6 months’ imprisonment / Unlimited fine / Obligatory disqualification 3 to 11 (if exceptionally not disqualified)
Failing to stop after an accident or failing to report an accident 6 months’ imprisonment / Unlimited fine / Discretionary disqualification 5 to 10
Driving while disqualified 6 months’ imprisonment (12 months in Scotland) / Unlimited fine / Discretionary disqualification 6
Driving after refusal or revocation of licence on medical grounds 6 months’ imprisonment / Unlimited fine / Discretionary disqualification 3 to 6
Driving without insurance Unlimited fine / Discretionary disqualification 6 to 8
Using a vehicle in a dangerous condition LGV or PCV unlimited, other vehicles £2,500/ Obligatory disqualification if offence committed within 3 years of a previous conviction for a similar offence - 6 months min. Otherwise discretionary 3 in each case
Failure to have proper control of vehicle or full view of the road and traffic ahead £1,000 fine (£2,500 for PCV or goods vehicle) / Discretionary disqualification 3
Using a hand-held mobile phone when driving £1,000 fine (£2,500 for PCV or goods vehicle) / Discretionary disqualification 6
Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence £1,000 fine / Discretionary disqualification 3 to 6
Speeding £1,000 fine (£2,500 for motorway offences) / Discretionary disqualification 3 to 6, or 3 (fixed penalty)
Traffic light offences £1,000 fine / Discretionary disqualification 3
No MOT certificate £1,000 fine -
Seat belt offences £500 fine -
Dangerous cycling £2,500 fine -
Careless cycling £1,000 fine -
Cycling on pavement £500 fine -
Failing to identify driver of vehicle £1,000 fine / Discretionary disqualification 6

*Where a court disqualifies a person on conviction for one of these offences, it must order an extended retest. The courts also have discretion to order a retest for any other offence which carries penalty points, an extended retest where disqualification is obligatory, and an ordinary test where disqualification is not obligatory.

Furthermore, in some serious cases, the court MUST (in addition to imposing a fixed period of disqualification) order the offender to be disqualified until they pass a driving test. In other cases the court has a discretionary power to order such disqualification. The test may be an ordinary length test or an extended test according to the nature of the offence.

Law RTOA sect 36

New drivers

Special rules as set out below apply for a period of two years from the date of passing their first driving test, to drivers and motorcyclists from

  • the UK, EU/EEA, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands or Gibraltar who passed their first driving test in any of those countries
  • other foreign countries who have to pass a UK driving test to gain a UK licence, in which case the UK driving test is treated as their first driving test; and
  • other foreign countries who (without needing a test) exchanged their licence for a UK licence and subsequently passed a UK driving test to drive another type of vehicle, in which case the UK driving test is treated as their first driving test. For example a driver who exchanges a foreign licence (car) for a UK licence (car) and who later passes a test to drive another type of vehicle (e.g. an HGV) will be subject to the special rules.

Where a person subject to the special rules accumulates 6 or more penalty points before the end of the 2-year period (including any points acquired before passing the test) their licence will be revoked automatically. To regain the licence they must reapply for a provisional licence and may drive only as a learner until they pass a further driving test (also see Annex 8 – Safety code for new drivers).

Law RT(ND)A

Note. This applies even if they pay for offences by fixed penalty. Drivers in the first group (UK, EU/EEA etc.) who already have a full licence for one type of vehicle are not affected by the special rules if they later pass a test to drive another type of vehicle.

Other consequences of offending

Where an offence is punishable by imprisonment then the vehicle used to commit the offence may be confiscated.

Law SA sects 152, 153, 154 & 155

In addition to the penalties a court may decide to impose, the cost of insurance is likely to rise considerably following conviction for a serious driving offence. This is because insurance companies consider such drivers are more likely to be involved in a collision.

Drivers disqualified for drinking and driving twice within 10 years, or once if they are over 2 and a half times the legal limit, or those who refused to give a specimen, also have to satisfy the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s Medical Branch that they do not have an alcohol problem and are otherwise fit to drive before their licence is returned at the end of their period of disqualification. Persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol may lead to the withdrawal of a driving licence.

Want to pass your theory test first time?
Download the Driving Theory Test Assistant app for FREE

Industry leading reviews from 626 verified buyers...

Keep up to date with us on social media...
What are we tweeting?

Which colour follows the green signal at a puffin crossing? 🚦🚗 Find out now along with everything you need to know about puffin crossings 👇 https://t.co/HSqCXTdB4b #puffincrossing #theorytest #drivingtheorytest #booktheorytest https://t.co/Yss0oN5AfY
13 hours ago
Revise for the DVSA theory test by watching short tutorial videos 🙌🎬 Check out our 'Theory Test Revision' series over on our YouTube channel 👇 https://t.co/XkLDdlwgG0 #theorytest #drivingtheorytest #theorytestvideos #roadsafety https://t.co/QoGmO6l8rP
1 day ago
Do you need to head to your local DVSA theory test centre to take your driving theory test? 👀 Are you looking for assistance in booking your car theory test? 😀 We can help. We will book your theory test and even offer FREE re-sits! 👇 https://t.co/Smc2AfVxll https://t.co/QehC9xiYZV
2 days ago
💡 Driving theory test tips 💡 Anti-lock brakes may be ineffective when vehicles have poor contact with the road surface because it could cause one or more of the tyres to lose grip on the road. 🚗 Start practising to pass the DVSA theory test now 👇 https://t.co/LIcCIaVlUv https://t.co/zlZnP9JYvj
3 days ago
Do you need to head to your local DVSA theory test centre to take your driving theory test? 👀 Are you looking for assistance in booking your car theory test? 😀 We can help. We will book your theory test and even offer FREE re-sits! 👇 https://t.co/Smc2AfVxll https://t.co/nV393Nrpf2
1 week ago
Looking to pass your car driving theory test in 2025? 👀 Our videos can help! try them out now 👇 https://t.co/ytYVFR48ot #drivingtheory
1 week ago
Are you ready to book your DVSA driving theory test? 📅 Find the theory test waiting times at any DVSA theory test centre here 👇 https://t.co/FyZyZdZjan #theorytest #drivingtheorytest #theorytestwaitingtimes #booktheorytest #theorytestrevision https://t.co/BrALCHw4Jo
1 week ago
Will my car theory test expire? 🚗 Your car theory test certificate is valid for two years. After this, you'll need to resit your theory test if you don't pass your practical test within this period 😱 PASS your car theory test now 👇 https://t.co/Zt9psGFO3Q https://t.co/yb1jyu2OGj
1 week ago
PASS your HGV theory test first time with Driving Theory 4 All's theory test revision platform and app 🚛 Get everything you need to pass, including the latest DVSA LGV theory test revision questions and CGI hazard perception videos. Get started now 👇 https://t.co/69qYzDyQF3
1 week ago
What is the difference between a dual carriageway and a motorway? 🛣️ This article will tell you the differences and similarities between a dual carriageway and a motorway 👇 https://t.co/7JvfSU0Vvq #learnerdriver #drivinglessons #theorytestrevision #theorytest #roadsafety https://t.co/dSSOq1YnFN
1 week ago
🎉📚 Happy International Day of Education! 🌍✨ If you're looking to pass your theory test in 2025 we can help! 😍 Learn your driving theory and pass first time 👇 https://t.co/kU6YSsVwhJ https://t.co/wsbGr7xBXG
2 weeks ago
💡 Driving theory test tips 💡 Anti-lock brakes may be ineffective when vehicles have poor contact with the road surface because it could cause one or more of the tyres to lose grip on the road. 🚗 Start practising to pass the DVSA theory test now 👇 https://t.co/LIcCIaVlUv https://t.co/tmaQOELNf1
2 weeks ago
What is the 2025 theory test pass mark? 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♀️ Check out the latest DVSA theory test pass mark and theory test pass rates here 👇 https://t.co/8oP2dtoPgl #theorytest #theorytestpassmark #drivingtheorytest #booktheorytest https://t.co/WsxarcblTS
2 weeks ago
Are you looking to book your theory test? 👀 We can not only help you book your driving theory test, but we will help you study and even offer unlimited FREE RESITS if you fail 😀 Find out more 👇 https://t.co/HJwzhLwGT8 https://t.co/VmIvcvDXn1
2 weeks ago
How do I cancel a theory test booking? 📅 Many learner drivers will need to cancel their theory test booking. ✍ Check out this step-by-step guide on how to cancel your DVSA theory test appointment 👇 https://t.co/is6ijW452F #canceltheorytest #theorytest #drivingtheorytest https://t.co/SqMwf03fdB
2 weeks ago
🚗 Worried about your theory test? 🚗 Here's how to pass your theory test first time WITHOUT reading a single book 👇 https://t.co/O0nYHgRNdO #theorytest #theorytestpractice #theorytestrevision #booktheorytest https://t.co/9sKSKkAJD9
3 weeks ago
Want to get ready for your DVSA driving theory test fast and pass first time? 🎓 Driving Theory 4 All guides you from start to finish so you have the confidence to smash the DVSA theory test 😍 Get ready for your theory test now 👇 https://t.co/3MBTdBJHyP #theorytest #driving https://t.co/JjfPP2nUUs
3 weeks ago
🚗 CHECKING YOUR TYRES 👀 The legal minimum depth of tread for car tyres is 1.6mm around the entire outer circumference of the tyre & across the central three-quarters of the tyre breath. 👍 https://t.co/vSu7KsdGdA #theorytest #booktheorytest #tyres #drivingtheorytest #driving https://t.co/v5FQTIOrkr
3 weeks ago
Does the car theory test expire? 🚗 Your car theory test certificate is valid for two years. You'll need to resit your theory test if you don't pass your practical test within this period 😱 Get help to PASS your car theory test now 👇 https://t.co/Zt9psGFO3Q #theorytest https://t.co/zXiZuXVVCo
3 weeks ago
Defensive Driving 🤔 Always be on the lookout for other vehicles creating dangerous situations and act accordingly ✔️ Example: A vehicle is following too closely. Slow down to increase the gap between you and the car ahead! Learn your theory 👇 https://t.co/mT5ZSqzF9g https://t.co/ZkjTSHdBxt
4 weeks ago