How do penalty points affect your car insurance?

The simple answer to the question ‘do penalty points affect your car insurance?’ is yes, they do. Insurance companies usually consider penalty points as a sign of risky driving, and this often means your premiums will increase when you renew your policy.

So, this article will provide information how penalty points affect car insurance, how to check car penalty points online and how to avoid penalty points.

The purpose of penalty points is to promote safer driving and discourage dangerous behaviour on the roads.

Penalty points are given for driving offences such as speeding, using a mobile phone while driving, or running a red light. By keeping track of these offences, authorities aim to make roads safer for everyone.

If a driver collects too many points within a certain period, they may face tougher consequences—like losing their licence or facing higher fines. This encourages drivers to follow the rules and avoid repeat offences.

The system helps Gardaí and courts handle driving offences fairly, with clear rules about what behaviour leads to points and what happens if you accumulate them.

Penalty points also make drivers more aware of their actions and the potential consequences, helping to reduce accidents and improve overall road safety.

Driving bans, penalty points and car insurance

In Ireland, accumulating 12 penalty points within a three-year period will lead to an automatic driving ban.

If you reach 12 penalty points in three years, your licence is suspended for six months. This also applies to foreign driving licenses. If you’re a learner or have a novice licence, the threshold is lower—7 penalty points will result in a ban. After serving the ban, your points are reset to zero.

Keeping track of your penalty points helps you avoid losing your licence. Safer driving keeps your record clean and your insurance costs down. We have an article on driving without insurance in Ireland and the impact it can have on penalty points, which might be useful. To find out more information on Penalty point offences the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) are a good resource for information.

Which offences are likely to result in penalty points?

Penalty points are typically issued for driving offences that impact road safety or break traffic laws. Here are some common offences likely to result in penalty points:

• Speeding
• Driving without due care and attention
• Using a mobile phone while driving
• Driving under the influence
• Failure to obey traffic signs or signals
• Not wearing a seatbelt
• Driving without insurance
• Defective vehicle offences
• Driving without a valid licence
• Dangerous overtaking or lane violations

Understanding these offences helps you avoid penalty points, protect your driving record, and stay safe on the road.

How to avoid penalty points

To avoid penalty points on your driving record, follow these smart and practical steps:

Follow speed limits: Always drive within the posted speed limits and adjust your speed for road conditions.

Stay focused: Avoid distractions like mobile phones, eating, or adjusting controls while driving.

Never drink and drive: Do not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Obey traffic signs and signals: Pay attention to road signs, traffic lights, and markings.

Use your seatbelt: Ensure you and all passengers are buckled up before moving off.

Keep documents up to date: Make sure your driving licence, insurance, and vehicle tax are valid.

Maintain your vehicle: Regularly check that your car is roadworthy—lights, brakes, tyres, and other essentials. We have created an article that will give you some handy routine car upkeep tips to get your car in good working order and running smoothly.

Avoid aggressive driving: Don’t tailgate, make dangerous overtakes, or weave through traffic.

Know the rules: Stay updated on road laws and changes in regulations.

Plan your journey: Give yourself enough time so you don’t feel rushed or tempted to break rules. If you are planning on taking a journey, check out some of the articles we have created on this topic.

How to check for penalty points

Being aware of how penalty points affect your policy helps you make informed choices. If you want to check if you have any penalty points, use the official NDLS website.

Knowing about penalty points can help you stay compliant, avoid fines or licence suspension, and keep your insurance costs lower.

Staying penalty-free keeps your insurance costs lower, protects your licence, and makes roads safer for everyone.

For general road safety tips, check out our article to help you evaluate your driving habits and ensure that you are driving safely.