Driving Endorsement Codes: Meanings and Penalty Points

This guide explains common driving endorsement codes used in Great Britain. They can result from fixed penalties or court cases; not every listed offence can be dealt with by a Fixed Penalty Notice.

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In this clear and simple guide, you’ll find:

• Common driving endorsement codes and their meanings.
• Point ranges and how long endorsements remain on the driving record.
• Information on when and how to challenge a notice.
• Examples of situations where you might not have to pay.
• What could happen if you decide not to pay.

The tables show endorsement information, not a tariff of fixed penalties or complete court sentences. Serious offences may involve imprisonment or mandatory disqualification as well as the endorsement shown.

We understand what you’re going through, and we have plenty of useful tips and examples to guide you through this process.

What is a driving endorsement code?

A driving endorsement code identifies an offence or outcome recorded by the DVLA. A police fixed-penalty reference or offence code may use a different system.

The code alone does not tell you whether the case was resolved by fixed penalty or in court, or what fine must be paid.

The code will include two letters that determine the type of offence, and then numbers to identify the exact offence within that categorisation. 

Some listed offences, such as causing death by dangerous driving, are serious criminal offences and are not disposed of by paying an ordinary fixed penalty. Use the official DVLA list alongside the notice or court order.

To give you a better understanding of endorsement codes, we’ve answered a common question below as an example…   

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Fixed Penalty Notice Appeal Reasons

A disputed fixed penalty normally follows the court-election procedure stated on the notice. It does not have the same tribunal appeal process as a council parking PCN.

The facts and legal requirements determine whether a defence exists. A generic appeal reason does not guarantee cancellation; obtain advice where the allegation is serious or your licence is at risk.

Issue to check	Possible evidence	Important limit
The alleged offence did not occur	Contemporaneous photographs, video or reliable records.	The relevant legal elements and evidence must be assessed.
Valid insurance or entitlement	Policy documents or DVLA records covering the exact time and use.	Holding a document now does not prove cover or entitlement at the time.
A recognised statutory exemption	Evidence establishing the exact exemption, such as an applicable medical exemption.	An emergency or misunderstanding does not automatically amount to a defence.
Identity or vehicle details	Evidence of a mismatch, mistaken identity or cloned vehicle.	Follow the notice’s response requirements; do not invent a driver or account.
Signage or equipment	Photographs and reliable evidence relevant to the alleged offence.	A malfunctioning speedometer is not a general defence to speeding. Seek legal advice before contesting.

FPNs do not use the same appeal procedure as council PCNs. Follow the notice; contesting the allegation may require a court hearing. Paper tax discs have not been required since 1 October 2014.

If you want to learn more about the appeal process, be sure to check out our specialized guide.

What is the SP30 offence code?

SP30 is the endorsement code when a motorist is guilty of exceeding the statutory speed limit on any road that isn’t a motorway. 

Some people think that SP30 means that the speed limit was broken on a road with a 30mph speed limit – but this isn’t true. SP30 can be used when the speed limit was exceeded on roads with different speed limits, including 60mph. 

More information on endorsement codes for speeding can be found here. 

What is the special code TT99?

TT99 records a totting-up disqualification. Reaching 12 or more points within three years normally brings the risk of disqualification, but the court can consider legally recognised grounds such as exceptional hardship. The code remains for four years from conviction.

Common driving endorsement codes

Accident offence codes

The codes below must remain on your record for four years from the day the offence was committed:

Endorsement codes	Definition	Number of penalty points
AC10	Failing to stop after an accident	Between 5 and 10
AC20	Failing to provide particulars or report accidents within 24 hours	Between 5 and 10
AC30	Undefined offences involving an accident	Between 4 and 9

Speeding endorsement codes

All speeding codes stay on the driver’s record for four years from the offence date.

Endorsement codes	Definition	Number of penalty points
SP10	Exceeding goods vehicle speed limits	Between 3 and 6
SP20	Exceeding the speed limit for the type of vehicle (excluding goods or passenger vehicles)	Between 3 and 6
SP30	Exceeding the statutory speed limit on a public road	Between 3 and 6
SP40	Exceeding passenger vehicle speed limit	Between 3 and 6
SP50	Exceeding the speed limit on a motorway	Between 3 and 6

Careless driving offence codes

Codes CD10 to CD33 remain on record for four years from the offence date. 

All other CD codes. All other codes remain on record for eleven years from the conviction date, with the exception of CD80 and CD90. These two codes stay on record for four years from the conviction date.

Endorsement codes	Definition	Number of penalty points
CD10	Driving without due care and attention	Between 3 and 9
CD20	Driving without reasonable consideration for other road users	Between 3 and 9
CD30	Driving without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other road users	Between 3 and 9
CD33	Causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving	Between 3 and 11
CD40	Causing death through careless driving when unfit through drink	Between 3 and 11
CD50	Causing death by careless driving when unfit through drugs	Between 3 and 11
CD60	Causing death by careless driving with alcohol level above the limit	Between 3 and 11
CD70	Causing death by careless driving and then failing to supply a specimen for alcohol analysis	Between 3 and 11
CD80	Causing death by careless, or inconsiderate, driving	Between 3 and 11
CD90	Causing death by driving: unlicensed, disqualified or uninsured drivers	Between 3 and 11

Traffic direction and sign offence codes

All of the below offences stay onr ecord for four years from the date the offence was committed.

Endorsement codes	Definition	Number of penalty points
TS10	Failing to comply with traffic light signals	3
TS20	Failing to comply with double white lines	3
TS30	Failing to comply with ‘stop’ sign	3
TS40	Failing to comply with the direction of a constable/warden	3
TS50	Failing to comply with traffic signs (excluding ‘stop’ signs, traffic lights or double white lines)	3
TS60	Failing to comply with a school crossing patrol sign	3
TS70	Undefined failure to comply with a traffic direction sign	3

Reckless and dangerous driving offence codes

All of the below endorsement codes remain on record for four years from the conviction date.

Endorsement codes	Definition	Number of penalty points
DD10	Causing serious injury by dangerous driving	Between 3 and 11
DD40	Dangerous driving	Between 3 and 11
DD60	Manslaughter or culpable homicide while driving a vehicle	Between 3 and 11
DD80	Causing death by dangerous driving	Between 3 and 11
DD90	Furious driving	Between 3 and 9

Disqualified driver offence codes

Codes BA10 and B30 remain on record for four years from the date of offence, but codes BA40 and BA60 remain on record for four years from the date of conviction.

Endorsement codes	Definition	Number of penalty points
BA10	Driving while disqualified by the court	6
BA30	Attempting to drive while disqualified by the court	6
BA40	Causing death by driving while disqualified	Between 3 and 11
BA60	Causing serious injury by driving while disqualified	Between 3 and 11

Construction and use of offence codes

All CU codes must remain on record for four years from the date the offence took place.

Endorsement codes	Definition	Number of penalty points
CU10	Using a vehicle with defective brakes	3
CU20	Causing or likely to cause danger by reason of the use of an unsuitable vehicle or using a vehicle with parts or accessories (excluding brakes, steering or tyres) in a dangerous condition	3
CU30	Using a vehicle with defective tyre(s)	3
CU40	Using a vehicle with defective steering	3
CU50	Causing or likely to cause danger by reason of load or passengers	3
CU80	Breach of requirements as to control of the vehicle, such as using a mobile phone	Between 3 and 6

Drink-driving offence codes

DR10, DR20, DR30, DR31 and DR61 remain for eleven years from conviction. DR40, DR50, DR60 and DR70 normally remain for four years from the offence, or four years from conviction where disqualification is imposed. Check the named code in the official list.

Endorsement codes	Definition	Number of penalty points
DR10	Driving or attempting to drive with an alcohol level above limit	Between 3 and 11
DR20	Driving or attempting to drive while unfit through drink	Between 3 and 11
DR30	Driving or attempting to drive then failing to supply a specimen for analysis	Between 3 and 11
DR31	Driving or attempting to drive then refusing to give permission for analysis of a blood sample that was taken without consent due to incapacity	Between 3 and 11
DR40	In charge of a vehicle while the alcohol level is above limit	10
DR50	In charge of a vehicle while unfit through drink	10
DR60	Failure to provide a specimen for analysis in circumstances other than driving or attempting to drive	10
DR61	Refusing to give permission for analysis of a blood sample that was taken without consent due to incapacity in circumstances other than driving or attempting to drive	10
DR70	Failing to cooperate with a preliminary test	4

Drug driving offence codes

All endorsement codes relating to drug offences must remain on the driver’s record for 11 years from the conviction date. 

The exceptions are DG40, DR70 and DR90, which remain on record for four years from the offence date or four years from the conviction date if the driver is disqualified as a result. 

Endorsement codes	Definition	Number of penalty points
DG10	Driving or attempting to drive with a drug level above the specified limit	Between 3 and 11
DG40	In charge of a vehicle while drug level is above a specified limit	10
DG60	Causing death by careless driving with drug levels above the limit	Between 3 and 11
DR70	Failing to cooperate with a preliminary test	4
DR80	Driving or attempting to drive when unfit through drugs	Between 3 and 11
DR90	In charge of a vehicle when unfit through drugs	10

Driving licence offence endorsement codes

All licence offences must stay on record for four years from the day of the offence.

Endorsement codes	Definition	Number of penalty points
LC20	Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence	Between 3 and 6
LC30	Driving after making a false declaration about fitness when applying for a licence	Between 3 and 6
LC40	Driving a vehicle having failed to notify a disability	Between 3 and 6
LC50	Driving after a licence has been cancelled (revoked) or refused on medical grounds	Between 3 and 6

Pedestrian crossing offence codes

All of the below codes stay on record for four years from the day of the offence. 

Endorsement codes	Definition	Number of penalty points
PC10	Undefined contravention of pedestrian crossing regulations	3
PC20	Contravention of pedestrian crossing regulations with moving vehicle	3
PC30	Contravention of pedestrian crossing regulations with a stationary vehicle	3

Insurance offence codes

The below endorsement code stays on record for four years from the offence date.

Endorsement code	Definition	Number of penalty points
IN10	Using a vehicle uninsured against third-party risks	Between 6 and 8

Motorway offence codes

The below motorway offence stays on record for four years from the offence date.

Endorsement code	Definition	Number of penalty points
MW10	Contravention of special roads regulations (excluding speed limits)	3

Theft and unauthorised taking of endorsement code

The below offence stays on record for four years from the offence date.

Endorsement code	Definition	Number of penalty points
UT50	Aggravated taking of a vehicle	Between 3 and 11

Miscellaneous offence codes

All of the miscellaneous offences are to be held on record for four years from the offence date.

Endorsement codes	Definition	Number of penalty points
MS10	Leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position	3
MS20	Unlawful pillion riding	3
MS30	Play street offences	2
MS50	Motor racing on the highway	Between 3 and 11
MS60	Offences not covered by other codes (including offences relating to breach of requirements as to control of the vehicle)	3
MS70	Driving with uncorrected defective eyesight	3
MS80	Refusing to submit to an eyesight test	3
MS90	Failure to give information as to the identity of the driver etc	6

Mutual recognition endorsement codes

MR codes concern mutually recognised disqualifications from the Republic of Ireland and remain for four years from conviction. A disqualification from Northern Ireland or the Isle of Man is recorded using NE99. See the DVLA guidance.

Endorsement codes	Definition	Number of penalty points
MR09	Reckless or dangerous driving (whether or not resulting in death, injury or serious risk)	Disqualification
MR19	Wilful failure to carry out the obligation placed on the driver after being involved in a road accident (hit or run)	Disqualification
MR29	Driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other substance affecting or diminishing the mental and physical abilities of a driver	Disqualification
MR39	Driving a vehicle faster than the permitted speed	Disqualification
MR49	Driving a vehicle whilst disqualified	Disqualification
MR59	Other conduct constituting an offence for which a driving disqualification has been imposed by the State of Offence	Disqualification

Why has the 0 on my endorsement code changed to a 2?

A 2 will replace the final 0 on any endorsement code for any Aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring offence. 

Why has the 0 on my endorsement code changed to a 4?

A 4 will replace the final 0 on any endorsement code for a causing or permitting offence, such as allowing someone to cause the offence. 

Why has the 0 on my endorsement code changed to a 6?

A 6 will replace the final 0 on any endorsement code for an inciting offence. 

endorsement codes recap

Endorsement codes identify offences and related outcomes on a driving record. Point ranges do not describe every possible sentence, and they do not make all listed offences eligible for a fixed penalty. Check the official code list and the specific notice or court order.

References

1. UK Parliament — FPN