Free Tool · Rules checked 16 October 2026
How Long Do Penalty Points Last?
Quick answer: in the UK, speeding points stay on your record for 4 years from the offence and count towards a ban for 3 years; 12 points in 3 years means a ban (usually 6 months), and new drivers lose their licence at 6 points within 2 years of passing. In Ireland points last 3 years and 12 means an automatic 6-month ban. Use the date tool below, or compare countries in the table.
8 countries
Points rules compared
| Country | How long points last | Ban at | What happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| England, Wales and Scotland | 4 years from the offence (counts for 3); drink/drug driving 11 years | 12 in 3 years (6 within 2 years of passing) | 6 months; 12 months for a 2nd ban in 3 years; 2 years for a 3rd |
| Northern Ireland | 4 years from the offence; fixed-penalty points valid for 3 years | 12 in 3 years (6 within 2 years of passing) | Not stated on the pages we opened |
| Ireland | 3 years from when they are applied (after payment or conviction) | 12 in 3 years (7 for learner and novice drivers) | 6 months, automatic |
| Germany | 2.5 years (1-point offence), 5 years (2 points), 10 years (crime with licence withdrawal), plus 1-year holding period | 8 points (warnings at 4–5 and 6–7) | Licence withdrawn; new one at the earliest after 6 months, usually with an MPU test |
| France | Back to 12 after 2 years (3 years if a serious offence is on record) without a new offence; a single lost point after 6 months | 0 of 12 points (new drivers start on 6) | Licence invalid; wait 6 months (1 year if it happened before in 5 years) |
| Spain | Back to 12 after 2 years without a points offence; a course restores up to 6 | 0 of 12 points (8 for drivers with a licence under 3 years) | New licence only after 6 months (12 if again within 3 years), with a course and tests |
| Italy | Back to 20 after 2 years without a points offence; a course restores 6 | 0 of 20 points | Re-take the theory/technical exam |
| Netherlands | No points for most drivers; new drivers: not stated | New drivers: 2 penalty points (above 30 km/h over, 40 on motorways) | Licence handed in; the CBR decides on a re-test |
Country names link to the official page each rule comes from. In the United States every state runs its own point system; your state's DMV page has the numbers. Check your own record with the official service: GOV.UK View your driving licence (Great Britain). General information, not legal advice.
United States · checked 18 October 2026
US states: points before a suspension
| State | Suspension at | Speeding points | How long points count | Course |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 11 points in 24 months: the licence may be suspended. | 1-10 mph over: 3; 11-20: 4; 21-30: 6; 31-40: 8; over 40: 11; in a work zone: 8. | Only violations in the last 24 months count, measured from the violation date. | An approved Motor Vehicle Crash Prevention Course takes up to 4 points off when DMV calculates a suspension; it does not stop mandatory suspensions. |
| Pennsylvania | 11+ points = automatic suspension (6+ points first means an exam or Driver Improvement School). 1st suspension 5 days per point; 2nd 10 days per point; 3rd 15 days per point; after that 1 year. |
6-10 mph over: 2; 11-15: 3; 16-25: 4; 26-30: 5; 31+: 5 plus a hearing. | 3 points removed for every 12 months without a violation or suspension. | Special Point Exam removes 2 points; Driver Improvement School removes 4 (first accumulation). |
| Florida | 12 points within 12 months; 18 points within 18 months; 24 points within 36 months. Offence dates are used for the calculation (s.322.27(4)). 12 pts/12 mo: 30 days. 18 pts/18 mo: 3 months. 24 pts/36 mo: 1 year (statute: 'not more than' each period). Reinstatement needs Advanced Driver Improvement (ADI) proof and a fee; a hardship licence is possible after ADI. |
Unlawful speed not more than 15 mph over the posted limit = 3 points; more than 15 mph over = 4 points; unlawful speed resulting in a crash = 6 points. No points for speeding caught by traffic infraction enforcement officers under s.316.1896. | Points remain on the driver record for at least five years from the date of disposition (conviction). | A driver with a non-criminal moving violation (non-CDL) can choose Basic Driver Improvement school within 30 days of the citation, once every 12 months and up to 8 times in a lifetime. Otherwise points are assessed. After one reinstated points suspension, 3 points are deducted (s.322.27(3)(h)). |
| Georgia | 15 or more points within 24 months (offence dates are used to measure the period). First points suspension (21+): indefinite until requirements are met; reinstatement is possible immediately on completing an approved defensive driving course. Second and third suspensions: course certificate plus reinstatement fee; no limited permit on the third. |
Speeding (40-6-181), also on bridges, in work zones and school-bus speeding: 15-18 mph over = 2; 19-23 mph over = 3; 24-33 mph over = 4; 34+ mph over = 6. Reckless driving 4; aggressive driving 6. | Counted over a 24-month window from violation dates (12 months for under-18s). When a licence is suspended for points, the point total is restored to zero. | Up to 7 points can be removed once every 5 years after a certified 6-hour Driver Improvement (defensive driving) course (O.C.G.A. 40-5-86). Points avoidance: taking the course after a citation and before court means no points and a 20% lower fine, once every five years. |
| California | 4 points in 12 months, 6 in 24 or 8 in 36 (negligent operator). 1-year probation including a 6-month suspension. |
1 point (1.5 in a Class A/B commercial vehicle). | Convictions and collisions stay on the record for 36 months or longer, depending on the type. | Traffic violator school for a 1-point violation, if the judge allows, once in 18 months; keeps it off the insurance record, not the driving record. |
| Ohio | 12 or more points within any two-year period starting on the date of the first conviction in that period (ORC 4510.037(B)). Warning letter at 6 points. Six months. Reinstatement requires a remedial driving course, an SR-22 for 3 years (1 year for suspensions starting after April 9, 2025), a fee and retaking the full licence exam. |
30+ mph over the limit = 4 points. More than 10 mph over where the limit is 55 mph or higher = 2. More than 5 mph over where the limit is under 55 mph = 2. Anything below those thresholds = 0 points. | Points count toward the 12-point threshold within a two-year period beginning on the date of the first conviction in that period. | Drivers with 2 to 11 points can take an approved remedial driving course for a 2-point credit. Limit is one credit every 3 years and five in a lifetime. No credit is given if a judge ordered the course. |
| New Jersey | 12 or more points: the licence will be suspended. | 1-14 mph over: 2; 15-29: 4; 30+: 5. | MVC keeps a permanent record; 3 points removed for each year without violations or suspensions. | Defensive Driving Program: -2 points, once every 5 years. Driver Improvement Program: -3, once every 2 years when MVC requires it. |
| Michigan | Reexamination at 12 or more points (or six or more one-point violations) within two years (MCL 257.320(1)(d)). At 9 points the SOS may call the driver in for an interview, and failing to appear adds 3 points. Not fixed. The reexamination can leave the licence unaffected, or restrict, suspend or revoke it. Suspensions range 'from days to months' or can be indefinite. A 12-point reexamination is a record review and the driver does not need to appear. |
Over the limit by 1-5 mph = 1 point; 6-10 mph = 2 points; 11-15 mph = 3 points; more than 15 mph = 4 points. Work zone: 10 mph or less = 3; 11-15 mph = 4; more than 15 mph = 5. | Points stay on the driving record for two years from the date of conviction (What Every Driver Must Know, October 2025). | Basic Driver Improvement Course (BDIC): eligible drivers (valid non-CDL licence, 2 or fewer points, ticket of 3 or fewer points) who pass within 60 days of the eligibility letter get no points and insurers are not told. Points can be avoided this way only once. |
| North Carolina | 12 points within 3 years, or 8 within 3 years after reinstatement. 1st: 60 days; 2nd: 6 months; 3rd or later: 1 year. |
Speeding over 55 mph: 3; in a school zone: 3; other moving violations: 2. | Counted in 3-year windows; all points cancelled when the licence is reinstated. | Driver improvement clinic at 7 points: -3 points, once every 5 years. |
| South Carolina | 12 points. 12-15 points: 3 months; 16-17: 4 months; 18-19: 5 months; 20+: 6 months. |
Up to 10 mph over: 2; over 10 and under 25: 4; 25+: 6. | The last 12 months count in full, 12-24 months at half value, older not counted. | Approved defensive driving course: -4 points, once in 3 years. |
| Virginia | 18 demerit points in 12 months or 24 in 24 months (a driver improvement clinic is required at 12 in 12 or 18 in 24). 90 days, then until a driver improvement clinic is completed; probation follows. |
1-9 mph over: 3; 10-19: 4; 20+: 6. | Demerit points are valid for 2 years from the offence date. | Driver improvement clinic: -5 demerit points, once per 2 years. |
| Indiana | not stated on the official page | 1-15 mph over: 2; 16-25: 4; 26+: 6. | Points stay active for 2 years from the conviction date. | BMV-approved Driver Safety Program: 4-point credit, once per 3 years. |
| Illinois | Three or more point-assigned convictions within any 12-month period (age 21+). Under 21: two or more within any 24-month period. Decided by the total points and the driver's past record. Under 21: at least 30 days (minimum one month). Drivers 21+ suspended for 3 months or less after 3 violations in 12 months may get a Probationary Licence after an 8-hour defensive driving class. |
1-10 mph over = 5 points; 11-14 mph over = 15; 15-25 mph over = 20; more than 25 mph over = 50 (26-34 and 35+ mph also 50). School or construction zone speeding = 20; aggravated zone speeding = 55. Too fast for conditions = 10. Reckless driving = 55. | Moving violations stay on the driving record for 4 to 5 years from conviction. If a ticket led to a suspension or revocation, it stays at least 7 years from reinstatement. | No point-removal course is described. Suspended drivers under 21 must take a Driver Remedial Education course before reinstatement. Adults can get a Probationary Licence after an 8-hour Defensive Driving Class. Court supervision for under-18s requires traffic safety school. |
| Texas | Habitual violator: 4 or more moving violations from separate incidents within 12 months, or 7 or more within 24 months (TRC 521.292). Automatic 90-day suspension if no hearing is requested. If a hearing finds against the driver, up to 1 year. Reinstatement fee $100; an occupational licence is possible (DPS DL-176, rev. 10/2025). |
None; Texas assigns no points for speeding. | Not applicable. DRP points and surcharges were waived on Sept 1, 2019, and no new ones are assessed. | — |
| Tennessee | 12 or more points within any 12-month period (drivers 18+): notice of proposed suspension and an administrative hearing. 6-11 points within 1 year = advisory letter only (one per 5 years). 3+ avoidable crashes in 1 year can also trigger action. First offender with 12-20 points: proposed 6-month suspension, or a defensive driving course instead (then 12 months' probation). Over 20 points: 6 or 12 months, no course option. Second/later offender: 6 months if a course was already taken instead of suspension within 5 years; 12 months if also suspended within those 5 years. Missing the hearing: 6 months (12 if in the program within 5 years). Not completing an assigned course: 6 months. |
Non-commercial: 1-5 mph over: 1; 6-15: 3; 16-25: 4; 26-35: 5; 36-45: 6; 46+: 8; speed not shown: 3. Work zone: 1-5: 2; 6-15: 4; 16-25: 5; 26-35: 6; 36+: 8; speed not shown: 4. Reckless driving 6; reckless endangerment 8; passing a stopped school bus 8; failure to stop at a rail crossing 8. | Each time a crash or violation is posted, the Department looks back 24 months to see whether 12+ points fall within any 12-month period; convictions more than 2 years old when the Department receives them are not used. How long points stay visible on the record is not stated in the rule (tn.gov points page blocked). | Speeding points (max 5) are removed after a department-approved defensive driving course completed within 90 days of the speeding conviction; one speeding offence per course, once in a four-year period (Public Chapter 710, from 1 July 2022). From 1 July 2026 (Public Chapter 993) a driver who pays the fine without going to court can register for an online department-approved course with the same 5-point removal. Separately, a first-time Driver Improvement Program driver may take an 8-hour defensive driving course instead of suspension. |
Each state links to the official DMV page or state code the rule comes from. Not yet confirmed because their official sites could not be opened from our checker: ; use your state DMV's own page.
Questions
Penalty points — FAQ
How long do penalty points stay on your licence in the UK?
Speeding and most other points stay on your driving record for 4 years from the date of the offence and count towards a ban for the first 3 years. Drink- and drug-driving endorsements stay for 11 years.
How many points before you get banned in the UK?
12 or more points within 3 years can mean a ban: 6 months the first time, 12 months for a second ban within 3 years and 2 years for a third. Drivers who passed their test less than 2 years ago lose their licence at 6 points and must pass the theory and practical tests again.
How long do penalty points last in Ireland?
Three years from the date they are applied to your licence (after you pay the fine or are convicted), not counting time when your licence is out of date or you are disqualified. 12 points in 3 years is an automatic 6-month ban; learner and novice drivers are banned at 7.
How long do Flensburg points last in Germany?
Each entry has its own clock from the day the decision becomes final: 2 years 6 months for a 1-point offence and 5 years for a 2-point offence, plus a 1-year holding period before it is deleted. The licence is withdrawn at 8 points.
How many points before your licence is suspended in New York?
In New York, 11 points within 24 months can lead to a suspension; speeding costs 3 points at 1-10 mph over, 4 at 11-20, 6 at 21-30, 8 at 31-40 and 11 above 40. Pennsylvania suspends at 11 points, Florida at 12 points in 12 months (30 days), Georgia at 15 points in 24 months, Ohio at 12 in 2 years, New Jersey, South Carolina and North Carolina at 12, Virginia at 18 demerit points in 12 months, and California treats 4 points in 12 months as a negligent operator. Texas no longer uses points: 4 moving violations in 12 months make a habitual violator. The US table below links each state's official page.
Do points come back automatically in France, Spain and Italy?
Yes, if you stay clean. France: all 12 points after 2 or 3 years without a points offence (a single lost point after 6 months). Spain: all 12 after 2 years. Italy: all 20 after 2 years. A road-safety course can restore some points sooner.