New drivers and penalty points: the 6 points in 2 years rule
Updated •5 min read
If you get 6 or more penalty points within 2 years of passing your first driving test, DVLA revokes your licence. You then have to apply for a new provisional licence and pass both the theory and practical tests again.
The rule in the official words
gov.uk puts it this way: your licence will be cancelled (revoked) if you get 6 or more points within 2 years of passing your test (gov.uk: penalty points (endorsements)). Drivers who have held a licence for longer face a different limit. They can be disqualified if they build up 12 or more points within 3 years.
The two-year period starts when you pass your driving test. Gov.uk says there is no second two-year period if you later pass a test for another category of vehicle, for example a heavy goods vehicle.
Points on your provisional licence count
Penalty points do not start from zero when you pass. Gov.uk says any points on your provisional licence that have not expired are carried over to your full licence when you pass your test. Further points that take you to a total of 6 or more within 2 years of passing then lead to revocation.
That means a learner who picks up points before the practical test begins their new-driver period with those points already counted. The points stay on the record for the time set for the offence, which is 4 or 11 years depending on the offence.
What happens if your licence is revoked
Gov.uk lists two situations:
- Revoked within 2 years of passing. You have to apply and pay for a new provisional licence, and pass both the theory and practical parts of the driving or riding test again to get a full licence.
- You have not yet sent off for your full licence. You must still retake both parts of your driving test. You can use your current provisional licence to take the tests.
You would need a fresh theory test pass. Our guide to when you can take your theory test covers booking, and the cost and booking guide covers the fee.
Who the rules cover
Gov.uk says the rules apply to new drivers who passed their first driving test in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, Gibraltar, or a country in the European Community and European Economic Area. They also apply if you exchange a foreign licence for a British one and then pass a further driving test in Great Britain.
Examples of offences and their points
Gov.uk's endorsement table lists many offences. A few that matter to new drivers:
| Offence | Penalty points |
|---|---|
| Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving (Highway Code Annex 5) | 6 |
| Speeding, minimum fixed penalty | 3 |
| Using a vehicle with a defective tyre (code CU30) | 3 |
On speeding, gov.uk says the minimum penalty is a £100 fine and 3 penalty points (gov.uk: speeding penalties). The same page says that if you are within 2 years of passing, your licence is revoked if you build up 6 or more points. Two minimum speeding penalties are therefore enough. The phone offence figure comes from the Highway Code penalty table, and our mobile phones guide explains the rule. The defective tyre code is on the gov.uk penalty points page.
How the theory test touches this
The theory test does not usually ask you to recite the 6-points rule. It asks about the behaviours that earn points: speeding, phone use, drink and drug driving, and driving with defective tyres. Learn those rules and the penalty system takes care of itself. See also our guide to drink and drug driving.
Practise the rules behind the points
Try a practice test on speed limits, vehicle condition and driver behaviour, or take the free theorytest.ai diagnostic to find your weak topics. theorytest.ai is independent and is not affiliated with the DVSA or DVLA.
Frequently asked questions
How many points can a new driver get?
A new driver's licence is revoked at 6 or more points within 2 years of passing, according to gov.uk.
Do points from my provisional licence count?
Yes. Gov.uk says unexpired points on a provisional licence carry over to your full licence when you pass.
What happens if my licence is revoked?
You apply and pay for a new provisional licence and pass both the theory and practical tests again.
Does the 2-year period restart if I pass another test?
No. Gov.uk says there is not another 2 year period if you pass a test for another category of vehicle.
Is a speeding fine enough to lose my licence?
Two speeding offences at the minimum 3 points each reach 6 points. Within 2 years of passing, that means revocation.