Points On Your License

[waterlocke22]

How many points now can you get before your license? 12 or 9?

[ToraToraTora]

6 up to 2 years after test, then 12, well in theory but there is no automatic totting up ban and it has been known for some to get a lot more than 12

[Maydup]

Once you have 12 or more points within 3 years, you can be disqualified. Although different for young drivers I think.

Check here

https://www.gov.uk/penalty-points-endorsements/endorsement-codes-and-penalty-points

[Buenchico]

Just to tidy up the answers above:

6 points within the first two years of holding a licence automatically revokes the licence but it doesn't impose a ban. The driver can re-take their test and, if they pass, get a new licence.

For anyone else, 12 points would normally result in a ban but the courts have discretionary powers and occasionally allow people to continue to drive with 12 or more points.

Points remain valid for 'totting up' purposes for 3 years but can't actually be removed from a licence or a further year. (There are some exceptions, where longer periods apply but they're only relevant for particularly serious driving offences).

[New Judge]

And just to add a little more to Chris's excellent answer:

When faced with the normal "totting up" ban following 12 points in three years the driver can ask the court to consider not imposing a ban on the grounds that "exceptional hardship" may be visited on him or others if he should be banned. If the Magistrates agree with this argument they have the option of imposing no ban or one shorter than the usual minimum of six months.

However under the "new drivers" rules (licence revoked when six points are accumulated within two years of passing the first test) there is no such facility. The licence is revoked automatically by the DVLA when they are informed of the offence(s) and there is no right of appeal. The only right of appeal is against conviction and/or sentence imposed for the original offence or offences.