Theory online - What happens if I get penalty points or am disqualified?

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What happens if I get penalty points or am disqualified?

If you are convicted of a motoring offence, the court can put penalty points on your licence, or disqualify you from driving for a period. Points will stay on your licence for four or 11 years, depending on the offence. After this period you can apply to have them removed from your licence. For drivers (including motorcyclists) from the UK, EU/EEA, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands or Gibraltar, special rules apply for a period of two years from the date of passing their first driving test in these countries. The rules also apply to other foreign drivers who have to pass a test for a UK licence because this is treated as their first driving test.

If you get six or more penalty points before the end of the two-year period (including any points you got before passing the test), your licence will automatically be revoked (withdrawn). To get your licence back you must apply for a provisional licence to drive as a learner and to pass the theory and practical tests again.

Passing the tests does not remove the penalty points from your licence and if the total reaches 12, you may be disqualified from driving.

These rules also apply to drivers who have exchanged a licence issued in a designated country for a UK licence and then passed a test in this country for driving another type of vehicle (for example, a HGV). This is treated as a first driving test and the special rules apply.