Last reviewed: June 2026 | Source: ABI / DVLA / MIB
TL;DR- 3 penalty points (e.g. SP30 speeding) typically increase car insurance premiums by 5% to 25% depending on the insurer and driver profile.
- 6 penalty points can increase premiums by 25% to 60% and may trigger refusal from some standard insurers.
- 9 or more points significantly restrict insurer choice and can double or more than double premiums.
- Penalty points remain on your licence for 4 years (most offences) or 11 years (serious offences) but only affect insurance quotes for the period they are "active" on your licence.
- Points must be declared to insurers for the period specified in the policy -- failure to declare is grounds for voiding the policy.
Key Facts
●3 points (SP30): typical premium increase 5%-25%
●6 points: typical premium increase 25%-60%
●Points stay on licence: 4 years (most offences), 11 years (serious)
●No insurance (IN10): 6 points, mandatory 1-2 year ban possible
●New drivers: 6+ points in first 2 years = licence revoked
●12 points = totting up disqualification (minimum 6 months ban)
How Penalty Points Affect Car Insurance Premiums
Car insurers use penalty points as a significant rating factor when calculating premiums. Points signal higher risk to the insurer: drivers with convictions are statistically more likely to make claims. The premium impact depends on several variables including the number and type of points, how recently they were incurred, the driver's age and overall history, and the insurer's own underwriting criteria.
There is no single fixed percentage increase mandated by regulation. Each insurer sets its own loading for endorsed licences. Some insurers specialise in higher-risk drivers and may offer more competitive rates for drivers with points than standard insurers. Comparing quotes across a wide panel is essential for drivers with any endorsements.
How Much Does Insurance Go Up With 3 Points
Three penalty points, most commonly from a speeding conviction coded SP30 (exceeding the speed limit on a public road), typically increase car insurance premiums by between 5% and 25%. For a driver paying £800 per year before the conviction, this represents an additional £40 to £200 annually.
The actual increase varies significantly by insurer. Young drivers or those already paying higher premiums may see larger absolute increases. A first SP30 conviction for an experienced driver with an otherwise clean record tends to attract a lower loading than the same conviction for a newer driver or one with other risk factors.
How Much Does Insurance Go Up With 6 Points
Six penalty points, whether from two separate 3-point offences or a single 6-point conviction such as using a mobile phone while driving (CU80), typically increase premiums by between 25% and 60%. At this level, some standard insurers may decline to quote at all, requiring drivers to use specialist high-risk or non-standard insurers whose base rates may already be higher.
Six points is also the threshold at which new drivers who passed their test within the previous two years have their licence automatically revoked under the Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1995. These drivers must retake both the theory and practical tests before driving again, which also resets their insurance history.
How to Avoid 6 Points for No Insurance
Driving without insurance (offence code IN10) carries a minimum of 6 penalty points and a fine. Courts can also impose a discretionary driving ban in more serious cases. There is no fixed penalty option for IN10 -- it must go through the courts. The offence is detected automatically via the Motor Insurance Database (MID), which police systems query during routine stops and via automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras.
The only way to avoid penalty points for driving without insurance is not to drive uninsured. Common situations that lead to IN10 convictions include: allowing a policy to lapse without realising, assuming a vehicle is covered under another policy (it usually is not unless the policy explicitly includes driving other vehicles), and driving a newly acquired vehicle before arranging cover. Temporary cover can be arranged within minutes via specialist short-term insurance providers for periods as short as one hour.
If a person is charged with IN10 but believes the vehicle was insured, the defence requires producing a valid certificate of insurance for the vehicle at the time of the alleged offence. The MIB and the insurer can confirm coverage status.
How Long Do Points Affect Insurance Quotes
Most penalty points remain on a driving licence for four years from the date of the offence. Points for more serious offences, including drink driving (DR10) and dangerous driving (DD40), remain for 11 years. However, points become "spent" for insurance declaration purposes at the point specified by the insurer in the policy documents, which is typically the date of conviction rather than the date of offence.
Insurers ask about convictions within a set period -- most commonly three or five years. A driver must declare all convictions within the period specified by the insurer. Failing to declare relevant convictions is a material misrepresentation and gives the insurer grounds to void the policy, decline claims and potentially recover costs from the driver.
Reducing the Premium Impact of Penalty Points
Drivers with penalty points can take several steps to manage the impact on premiums. Comparing quotes across a wide panel of insurers, including those specialising in non-standard risks, is the most effective approach. Increasing the voluntary excess reduces the premium but increases out-of-pocket costs in the event of a claim. Adding a named experienced driver to the policy (legitimately, not as a fronting arrangement) can reduce the risk profile. Telematics (black box) policies that monitor driving behaviour can also offer competitive rates for drivers willing to demonstrate improved driving habits, regardless of past convictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does car insurance go up with 3 points?
Three penalty points typically increase car insurance premiums by between 5% and 25%, depending on the insurer, the type of offence, and the driver's overall profile. A first SP30 speeding conviction for an experienced driver with a clean history tends to attract a lower loading than multiple convictions or convictions for more serious offences.
How much does insurance go up with 6 points?
Six penalty points typically increase car insurance premiums by between 25% and 60%, and some standard insurers may decline to offer cover at all. Drivers with 6 points may need to use specialist non-standard insurers. New drivers with 6 points within two years of passing their test also face automatic licence revocation.
Do penalty points automatically increase insurance?
Points do not automatically trigger a mid-term premium increase on an existing policy in most cases. However, the driver must declare the conviction to the insurer as soon as it is received if the policy requires disclosure of mid-term changes, or at renewal at the latest. Failure to declare can void the policy. At renewal, the premium will be recalculated to reflect the endorsement.
How long do penalty points affect insurance?
Points remain on the licence for 4 years (11 years for serious offences) but affect insurance quotes for the period the insurer specifies for disclosure, typically 3 or 5 years from the date of conviction. Once outside the disclosure window, the conviction no longer needs to be declared and the premium loading falls away.
