Driving offence codes explained
If you need to decipher any driving conviction codes, then here’s everything you need to know – from what they mean, to how long points stay on your driving record.
How long do points stay on your licence for?
Driving licence points stay on your record for either four, or 11 years – depending on what the conviction was for; you can check your driving record here.
If you rack up 12 or more points within three years, you can be disqualified from driving. If you’re banned, it’s up to the court to decide how long you’ll be off the roads for, but if you’re disqualified for more than 56 days, then you’ll need to apply for a new licence and you may have to retake your driving test.
Rules for new drivers
If you’re new to driving, the rules are slightly different. If you gain six or more points within two years of passing your test, your licence will be cancelled. It’s worth knowing that if you’ve got points on your provisional licence, they’ll be added to your full licence when you get it.
If the unthinkable does happen and your licence is taken away, you’ll need to start all over again; apply for a new provisional licence and retake the theory and practical tests.
Driving conviction codes
The tables below show current driving offences, their codes and how long those points will stay on your driving record for.
Accident offences
| Driving offence code | Description of offence | Penalty points issued | Number of years points remain on driving record |
| AC10 | Failing to stop after an accident | 5-10 | 4 years from date of offence |
| AC20 | Failing to give particulars or report an accident within 24 hours | 5-10 | 4 years from date of offence |
| AC30 | Undefined accident offences | 4-9 | 4 years from date of offence |
Disqualified driver
| Driving offence code | Description of offence | Penalty points issued | Number of years points remain on driving record |
| BA10 | Driving while disqualified by order of court | 6 | 4 years from date of offence |
| BA30 | Attempting to drive while disqualified by order of court | 6 | 4 years from date of offence |
| BA40 | Causing death by driving while disqualified | 3-11 | 4 years from date of conviction |
| BA60 | Causing serious injury by driving while disqualified | 3-11 | 4 years from date of conviction |
Careless driving
| Driving offence code | Description of offence | Penalty points issued | Number of years points remain on driving record |
| CD20 | Driving without reasonable consideration for other road users | 3-9 | 4 years from date of offence or conviction |
| CD30 | Driving without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other road users | 3-9 | 4 years from date of offence or conviction |
| CD80 | Causing death by careless, or inconsiderate, driving | 3-11 | 4 years from date of offence or conviction |
| CD90 | Causing death by driving: unlicensed, disqualified or uninsured drivers | 3-11 | 4 years from date of offence or conviction |
| CD40 | Causing death through careless driving when unfit through drink | 3-11 | 11 years from date of conviction |
| CD50 | Causing death by careless driving when unfit through drugs | 3-11 | 11 years from date of conviction |
| CD60 | Causing death by careless driving with alcohol level above the limit | 3-11 | 11 years from date of conviction |
| CD70 | Causing death by careless driving then failing to supply a specimen for alcohol analysis | 3-11 | 11 years from date of conviction |
Construction and use offences
| Driving offence code | Description of offence | Penalty points issued | Number of years points remain on driving record |
| CU10 | Using a vehicle with defective brakes | 3 | 4 years from date of offence |
| CU20 | Causing or likely to cause danger by reason of use of unsuitable vehicle or using a vehicle with parts or accessories (excluding brakes, steering or tyres) in a dangerous condition | 3 | 4 years from date of offence |
| CU30 | Using a vehicle with defective tyre(s) | 3 | 4 years from date of offence |
| CU40 | Using a vehicle with defective steering | 3 | 4 years from date of offence |
| CU50 | Causing or likely to cause danger by reason of load or passengers | 3 | 4 years from date of offence |
| CU80 | Breach of requirements as to control of the vehicle, such as using a mobile phone | 3-6 | 4 years from date of offence |
Reckless or dangerous driving
| Driving offence code | Description of offence | Penalty points issued | Number of years points remain on driving record |
| DD10 | Causing serious injury by dangerous driving | 3-11 | 4 years from date of conviction |
| DD40 | Dangerous driving | 3-11 | 4 years from date of conviction |
| DD60 | Manslaughter or culpable homicide while driving a vehicle | 3-11 | 4 years from date of conviction |
| DD80 | Causing death by dangerous driving | 3-11 | 4 years from date of conviction |
| DD90 | Furious driving | 3-9 | 4 years from date of conviction |
Drink
| Driving offence code | Description of offence | Penalty points issued | Number of years points remain on driving record |
| DR10 | Driving or attempting to drive with alcohol level above limit | 3-11 | 11 years from date of conviction |
| DR20 | Driving or attempting to drive while unfit through drink | 3-11 | 11 years from date of conviction |
| DR30 | Driving or attempting to drive then failing to supply a specimen for analysis | 3-11 | 11 years from date of conviction |
| DR31 | Driving or attempting to drive then refusing to give permission for analysis of a blood sample that was taken without consent due to incapacity | 3-11 | 11 years from date of conviction |
| DR61 | Refusing to give permission for analysis of a blood sample that was taken without consent due to incapacity in circumstances other than driving or attempting to drive | 10 | 11 years from date of conviction |
| DR40 | In charge of a vehicle while alcohol level above limit | 10 | 4 years from date of offence/or from date of conviction |
| DR50 | In charge of a vehicle while unfit through drink | 10 | 4 years from date of offence/or from date of conviction |
| DR60 | Failure to provide a specimen for analysis in circumstances other than driving or attempting to drive | 10 | 4 years from date of offence/or from date of conviction |
| DR70 | Failing to provide specimen for breath test | 4 | 4 years from date of offence/or from date of conviction |
Drugs
| Driving offence code | Description of offence | Penalty points issued | Number of years points remain on driving record |
| DG10 | Driving or attempting to drive with drug level above the specified limit | 3-11 | 11 years from date of conviction |
| DG60 | Causing death by careless driving with drug level above the limit | 3-11 | 11 years from date of conviction |
| DG80 | Driving or attempting to drive when unfit through drugs | 3-11 | 11 years from date of conviction |
| DG40 | In charge of a vehicle while drug level above specified limit | 10 | 4 years from date of offence/or from date of conviction |
| DG90 | In charge of a vehicle when unfit through drugs | 10 | 4 years from date of offence/or from date of conviction |
Insurance offences
| Driving offence code | Description of offence | Penalty points issued | Number of years points remain on driving record |
| IN10 | Using a vehicle uninsured against third party risks | 6-8 | 4 years from date of offence |
Licence offences: penalty points remain on your licence for four years from the date of offence.
| Driving offence code | Description of offence | Penalty points issued | Number of years points remain on driving record |
| LC20 | Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence | 3-6 | 4 years from date of offence |
| LC30 | Driving after making a false declaration about fitness when applying for a licence | 3-6 | 4 years from date of offence |
| LC40 | Driving a vehicle having failed to notify a disability | 3-6 | 4 years from date of offence |
| LC50 | Driving after a licence has been cancelled (revoked) or refused on medical grounds | 3-6 | 4 years from date of offence |
Miscellaneous offences
| Driving offence code | Description of offence | Penalty points issued | Number of years points remain on driving record |
| MS10 | Leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position | 3 | 4 years from date of offence |
| MS20 | Unlawful pillion riding | 3 | 4 years from date of offence |
| MS30 | Play street offences | 2 | 4 years from date of offence |
| MS50 | Motor racing on the highway | 3-11 | 4 years from date of offence |
| MS60 | Offences not covered by other codes (including offences relating to breach of requirements as to control of vehicle) | 3 | 4 years from date of offence |
| MS70 | Driving with uncorrected defective eyesight | 3 | 4 years from date of offence |
| MS80 | Refusing to submit to an eyesight test | 3 | 4 years from date of offence |
| MS90 | Failure to give information as to identity of driver etc | 6 | 4 years from date of offence |
Motorway offences
| Driving offence code | Description of offence | Penalty points issued | Number of years points remain on driving record |
| MW10 | Contravention of special roads regulations (excluding speed limits) | 3 | 4 years from date of offence |
Pedestrian crossings
| Driving offence code | Description of offence | Penalty points issued | Number of years points remain on driving record |
| PC10 | Undefined contravention of pedestrian crossing regulations | 3 | 4 years from date of offence |
| PC20 | Contravention of pedestrian crossing regulations with moving vehicle | 3 | 4 years from date of offence |
| PC30 | Contravention of pedestrian crossing regulations with stationary vehicle | 3 | 4 years from date of offence |
Speed limits
| Driving offence code | Description of offence | Penalty points issued | Number of years points remain on driving record |
| SP10 | Exceeding goods vehicle speed limits | 3-6 | 4 years from date of offence |
| SP20 | Exceeding speed limit for type of vehicle (excluding goods or passenger vehicles) | 3-6 | 4 years from date of offence |
| SP30 | Exceeding statutory speed limit on a public road | 3-6 | 4 years from date of offence |
| SP40 | Exceeding passenger vehicle speed limit | 3-6 | 4 years from date of offence |
| SP50 | Exceeding speed limit on a motorway | 3-6 | 4 years from date of offence |
Traffic direction and signs
| Driving offence code | Description of offence | Penalty points issued | Number of years points remain on driving record |
| TS10 | Failing to comply with traffic light signals | 3 | 4 years from date of offence |
| TS20 | Failing to comply with double white lines | 3 | 4 years from date of offence |
| TS30 | Failing to comply with ‘stop’ sign | 3 | 4 years from date of offence |
| TS40 | Failing to comply with direction of a constable/warden | 3 | 4 years from date of offence |
| TS50 | Failing to comply with traffic sign (excluding ‘stop’ signs, traffic lights or double white lines) | 3 | 4 years from date of offence |
| TS60 | Failing to comply with a school crossing patrol sign | 3 | 4 years from date of offence |
| TS70 | Undefined failure to comply with a traffic direction sign | 3 | 4 years from date of offence |
Special codes: Code TT99 remains on your driving record for four years from the date of conviction. You’ll get this if you’re disqualified from driving because you’ve ‘totted up’ the appropriate number of points.
Theft or unauthorised taking: Code UT50, this remains on your record for four years from the date of the offence.
Mutual recognition codes: you’ll receive one of these codes if you’re disqualified in Northern Ireland, or the Isle of Man – they’re also valid in Great Britain.
| Driving offence code | Description of offence | Number of years points remain on driving record |
| MR09 | Reckless or dangerous driving (whether or not resulting in death, injury or serious risk) | 4 years from date of conviction |
| MR19 | Wilful failure to carry out the obligation placed on driver after being involved in a road accident (hit or run) | 4 years from date of conviction |
| MR29 | Driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other substance affecting or diminishing the mental and physical abilities of a driver | 4 years from date of conviction |
| MR39 | Driving a vehicle faster than the permitted speed | 4 years from date of conviction |
| MR49 | Driving a vehicle whilst disqualified | 4 years from date of conviction |
| MR59 | Other conduct constituting an offence for which a driving disqualification has been imposed by the State of Offence | 4 years from date of conviction |
Helping someone commit an offence
If you’re found guilty of helping someone commit an offence, then you could also be given a driving offence code.
If this happens, the ‘0’ in the conviction code will be replaced by a ‘2’. So, for example: LC40 (driving a vehicle having failed to notify a disability) becomes LC42 if you’ve been in a car knowing the person driving hasn’t declared a disability that could affect their driving.
Causing or allowing offences
You can also gain penalty points for causing or permitting a driving offence, in this instance, the ‘0’ in the code is replaced by a ‘4’. For example, LC30 (driving after making a false declaration about fitness when applying for a licence) becomes LC34 if you’ve caused or allowed someone to do this.
Encouraging offences
If you’re found to have encouraged someone to commit a driving offence, then this will also be shown on your driving record. To show this, the ‘0’ in the conviction code, will be replaced by a ‘6’. So, SP30 (exceeding statutory speed limit on a public road) becomes SP36 if you’re found to have encouraged someone to speed.
Driving when disqualified
Driving while disqualified is considered an offence – if you’re caught, you could be arrested and tried at a magistrates’ court.
The magistrate’s verdict will depend on the circumstances; in serious cases (such as if there was potential for serious harm while driving) you could be given a prison sentence of up to 12 weeks. Alternatively, you may be given a community service order, or see your driving ban extended.
If a magistrate chooses to extend your driving ban, it will be added to the end of your existing disqualification period. So, for example, if you’d already been banned for six months and are banned for a further six, you’ll be off the roads for one year. In some cases, a magistrate may choose to give you a fine and add points to your driving record.
If you’ve been banned from driving because of ‘totting up’ 12 or more points within three years, the points are removed from your driving record after you’ve served your ban. This is the only time when penalty points are wiped off your licence after disqualification. In all other cases, points remain on your driving record for the length of time specified by the law and from the date you are either convicted, or from the date the offence took place.
Staying on the right side of the law
Whether it’s insurance for your car, a policy for your van, or motorbike insurance – whatever you drive or ride on UK roads, by law, you need to have insurance.
At mustard.co.uk, we understand that owning a vehicle is an expensive business, which is why we’re here to help. Not only do our handy guides explain everything you need to know when it comes to finding a policy that’s right for you – but we’ve also got our Cheapest Price Guarantee*, which means you don’t have to choose between protection and cost. So, start a quote with us today or give us a call on 0330 022 8814 and see how we can help.
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