So you made a mistake and got points on your licence. You’ve come to the end of your conviction and have a clean licence once again. What do you do now?
Most expired conviction code endorsements will automatically be removed from your driving record when they’re no longer valid. The length of time they stay on your record depends on how serious the offence was. For example, if you were convicted of drink driving, you have a DR10 endorsement on your driving licence:
| Driving Licence Conviction Code | Motoring Offence | Penalty Points | Duration Conviction Stays on your Licence |
| DR10 | Driving or attempting to drive with alcohol level above limit | 3 – 11 points | 11 Years from the date of the conviction |
Your endorsement will stay on your licence for 11 years from the date of the conviction. Some conviction codes last for a number of years from the date of the offence, so make sure you’re clear which one applies to you. For more information on how long your endorsement will last, find it on our Conviction Code page.
Should you inform your insurer when your points expire?
Under the Road Traffic Act 1998, it is an offence to withhold relevant information when applying for car insurance. This means that you’re legally obliged to tell a prospective (or current) insurer of any penalty points you receive. But what if your points have only just, or are due to, expire?
According to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, convictions are “spent” after 5 years, which don’t require you to disclose them to your insurance provider after that time. When your conviction code expires, your licence will be automatically updated. If your points come off your licence during the period of your cover, your policy will not be affected. Changes to your insurance premium will only take effect when you renew. That being said, honesty is always the best policy.
Every insurance policy is judged on its own merits because we understand that everyone’s situation is different. In order to give you the best possible cover for your car, the more information insurers have, the better. This is preferable for two reasons: Firstly, they can give you the best and most accurate quote for cover and you can rest assured that you won’t be caught out by a void clause in your policy when you most need it. Secondly, if they have all the information we need up front, the process of assessing and issuing your policy is so much faster. The worst thing that will happen is that your insurer will tell you that the extra info isn’t necessary.
Better safe than sorry
Remember, the result of not declaring any penalty points to your insurer could see you invalidate your insurance policy. Driving an uninsured vehicle could result in prosecution and the collection of between six and eight penalty points – on top of any points you already have.
Not only that, but this could prove a costly mistake if you’re involved in an accident and your insurance company is unwilling to pay out because you didn’t tell them about the penalty points.
If you’re unsure what to do once you have reached the end of your conviction, you can find more information under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. This piece of legislation tells you whether or not you should disclose your previous conviction codes, depending on your circumstances.