TOTTING-UP RULES

What Happens at 12 Penalty Points in Northern Ireland?

If you build up 12 or more penalty points within a three-year period, you can become liable to disqualification under Northern Ireland’s totting-up system.

Official totting-up guidance ↗ Penalty points hub

TOTTING UP

Points from separate offences can accumulate.

The totting-up system considers valid penalty points accumulated over a three-year period. Reaching 12 or more points can make you liable to driving disqualification.

The points do not need to come from one offence.

NOT EVERY BAN REQUIRES 12 POINTS

A serious individual offence can also lead to disqualification.

The 12-point threshold specifically concerns accumulated points under the totting-up system. Courts can also impose a driving disqualification for individual offences where legislation provides for one.

YOUR RECORD

Endorsements can remain after the totting period.

The three-year totting period does not mean endorsements disappear from your record after three years. Many remain for four years, while specified serious offences remain for 11 years.

MORE NI GUIDES