The court MUST  order points to be endorsed on the licence according to the fixed number or the range set by Parliament. The accumulation of penalty points acts as a warning to drivers and motorcyclists that they risk disqualification if further offences are committed. 

Law RTOA sects 44 & 45 

A driver or motorcyclist who accumulates 12 or more penalty points within a 3-year period MUST  be disqualified. This will be for a minimum period of 6 months, or longer if the driver or motorcyclist has previously been disqualified. 

Law RTOA sect 35 

For every offence which carries penalty points the court has a discretionary power to order the licence holder to be disqualified. This may be for any period the court thinks fit, but will usually be between a week and a few months. 

In the case of serious offences, such as dangerous driving and drink-driving, the court MUST  order disqualification. The minimum period is 12 months, but for repeat offenders or where the alcohol level is high, it may be longer. For example, a second drink-drive offence in the space of 10 years will result in a minimum of 3 years’ disqualification. 

Law RTOA sect 34 

