Yes; But Only If They’re Still “Active”
Penalty points don’t last forever, but while they’re active, insurers need to know about them. The rule is straightforward: if the points are still on your driving record or fall within the time period your insurer asks about, you must declare them. Once they’re spent, you don’t have to. Most insurers only ask about motoring convictions from the last five years, but some go further, especially for serious offences.
Think of it this way: if the DVLA still shows your points when you check your licence online, you should assume your insurer needs to know too. It’s always better to be open than risk a claim being refused later.
How Long Points Stay on Your Record
Different offences stay visible for different periods. Most minor offences; such as speeding or running a red light; remain on your driving record for four years from the date of the offence. More serious ones, like drink-driving or dangerous driving, stay for eleven. These longer durations are there because they reflect greater risk in the eyes of both the courts and insurers.
After that period, the conviction becomes “spent,” meaning you don’t legally need to declare it when applying for insurance. However, if an insurer specifically asks for “any conviction ever received,” it’s safest to answer truthfully. A rare question, but it does appear in some specialist policies.
What Happens If You Don’t Tell Them
Failing to declare active points can cause bigger problems than the points themselves. If you make a claim and the insurer discovers undeclared convictions, they can reduce or refuse the payout; or cancel your policy altogether. That cancellation then becomes another black mark on your insurance record, often more damaging than the original points.
Honesty doesn’t necessarily mean punishment. Many insurers are used to dealing with drivers who have a few points. It might raise your premium slightly, but being transparent builds trust; and that’s worth far more in the long run.
How to Check What’s on Your Record
The easiest way to check is through the DVLA’s “View Driving Licence” service. It shows how many points you have, when they were added, and when they’ll be removed. It’s a free service and takes a couple of minutes to use. Print or save the results when renewing your insurance; it helps you give accurate answers and avoids mistakes when filling in online forms.
If you’re unsure whether a conviction is spent, you can also ask the insurer directly. It’s better to clarify before buying a policy than to risk invalidating it later.
When to Stop Declaring
Once your points have expired and the conviction is spent, you can legally stop mentioning it to insurers. It won’t appear on your licence anymore, and insurers can’t penalise you for something that’s no longer relevant. That said, some drivers choose to mention old offences out of caution; particularly when dealing with specialist brokers who already know their background.
As time passes, those old points fade into history. Keep your record clean, renew on time, and the system will start treating you like any other driver again.
Peace of Mind Behind the Wheel
Yes, you do need to tell your insurer about old points; but only while they still matter. Once they’ve dropped off your record, you’re free to move on. Staying honest keeps your policy safe and your conscience clear. And after a few clean years, the only reminder of those points will be how careful you’ve become since earning them.