Can you get an HGV licence with points on your licence?
Yes, in most cases. What matters is how many points, how recent they are, how old you are, and what they were for.
Short answer
Most people with points can get a provisional lorry licence. If you're 21 or over, you'll normally be refused only if you have 9 or more points and got any of them in the last 6 months; the refusal then runs for 6 months from your last endorsement. If all your points are older than that, you'll normally get the licence with a warning letter. If you're under 21, 4 or more points is enough to stop you.
Points and a provisional lorry licence
The Traffic Commissioners' starting points for applicants.
| Your situation | What normally happens |
|---|---|
| Under 9 points, aged 21 or over | Points alone don't normally stop you |
| 9 or more points, any of them in the last 6 months | A letter proposing to refuse, with refusal for 6 months from your last endorsement |
| 9 or more points, all between 6 months and 4 years old | Normally granted, with a warning letter |
| Under 21 with 4 or more points | Can't hold lorry entitlement; existing entitlement is revoked |
| 12 or more points within 3 years | You can be disqualified from driving altogether, which also ends your lorry entitlement |
How long points count
- Endorsements stay on your driving record for 4 or 11 years, depending on the offence.
- For deciding whether you're fit to hold a lorry licence, an endorsement counts for 4 years, unless you were banned for totting up 12 points.
- Losing your car licence means losing your lorry entitlement too.
New drivers
If you get 6 or more points within 2 years of passing your car test, your licence is revoked. Passing a lorry test doesn't start a new 2-year period.
Once you're driving lorries
Points matter more for working drivers, because DVLA can refer you to a Traffic Commissioner, and operators must report motoring offences. Starting points include:
- Hand-held phone (6 points): a 4-week suspension of your lorry entitlement for a first referral.
- Speeding in a goods vehicle: a warning letter for a first offence, and a proposed 6-week suspension for a second.
- Renewing with 12 or more current points: you'll be asked to explain, and it goes to a Traffic Commissioner.
DVLA's own guidance for lorry drivers puts it bluntly: one offence could cost you your entitlement to drive a lorry.
Points and getting a job
Points on your licence can matter to employers' insurers even when the law doesn't stop you driving. Many fleet insurers already prefer drivers with about two years' lorry experience. Ask employers or a training provider's job team how your points affect their insurance before you rely on a particular job.
Before you pay for training
If your points are close to these limits, apply for your provisional licence first, or wait until the 6-month mark has passed since your last endorsement. Training money is hard to get back if DVLA refuses your entitlement.
Other offences have different rules. Criminal records and HGV licences, and HGV licences after a drink-driving ban.
Related: The under-21 rules · Drivers' hours fines
Common questions
How many points can you have to get an HGV licence?
If you're 21 or over, you'll normally be refused only with 9 or more points where any were received in the last 6 months; the refusal lasts 6 months from your last endorsement. Under 21, 4 or more points stops you.
Can I get an HGV licence with 6 points?
Usually, if you're 21 or over. Under the Traffic Commissioners' starting points, points only lead to a proposed refusal at 9 or more with some in the last 6 months.
How long do penalty points count for an HGV licence?
For deciding whether you're fit to hold a lorry licence, an endorsement counts for 4 years, unless you were banned for totting up. Endorsements stay on your record for 4 or 11 years.