UK penalty points: 12 points in 3 years can mean a ban, even on a Polish licence

Drivers with a Polish licence who live in the UK are subject to the British penalty points system. The reminder comes from Polish Express and the government's GOV.UK service.

How the system works

In the UK, penalty points are also called "endorsements". When a court convicts someone of a motoring offence, it can add points to their driving record and impose a fine. According to GOV.UK, a driver who builds up 12 or more points within 3 years can be disqualified from driving. Polish Express says the ban usually lasts at least 6 months.

A single offence usually carries between 3 and 11 points, depending on its type. Polish Express gives running a red light (3 points) and speeding (3–6 points) as examples. It also lists 6 points for using a phone while driving. Failing to stop after an accident carries 5–10 points, and driving while disqualified carries 6 points.

There are also offences that can lead to a ban without any penalty points (known as non-endorsable offences). According to Polish Express, a ban of 56 days or longer means paying to renew the driving licence once it ends.

New drivers

The rules are stricter for people who have recently passed their test. The licence is revoked if the driver gets 6 or more points within 2 years of passing. Any unexpired points from the provisional licence count towards that total. The person must then retake the driving tests.

How long points stay on the record

Endorsements stay on a driver's record for 4 or 11 years, depending on the offence. The period runs from the date of conviction or the date of the offence. The longer 11-year period applies to the most serious cases, including drink or drug driving and causing death by careless driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. To check your points and when they expire, you can view your driving licence record on GOV.UK.

What this means for you

A Polish driving licence does not protect against British penalty points. Polish Express points out that many Poles drive on their Polish document because current rules do not force them to exchange it, and wrongly assume the system does not apply to them. Points are recorded on the British driver record, and a ban imposed in the UK also applies to drivers with foreign licences.