Drivers will be aware of the powers of the courts and the police to impose penalties for driving offences.
These are known as convictions and can seriously affect the premiums insurance providers will charge you for an annual motor insurance policy.
Just like any other offence, the courts’ powers attempts to balance the penalty for breaking the law with the severity of the offence.
Each endorsement carries a unique offence code which in turn attracts ‘penalty points’ on a scale from one to eleven, depending on the severity of the offence.
The endorsement (and penalty points) are added to your driving history and recorded on your licence. Some offences can even result in a lengthy disqualification and/or a prison sentence.
The penalty points associated with conviction codes varies from 3 to 11 points.
The period endorsements will remain on your licence varies from 4 to 11 years.
It is also worth noting that there is a system whereby if you build up 12 or more penalty points within a period of three years, you will be liable to be disqualified under the ‘totting-up’ system.
Finally, new drivers need to be especially careful as your driving licence is automatically revoked (withdrawn) if you build up six or more penalty points within two years of passing your first driving test.
You can learn more about convictions and penalty points from the DVLA by clicking here.