Most people will be aware that you are convicted of a motoring offence, the courts can not only fine you but also ‘endorse’ your driving licence with penalty points. However, what you may not realise is that there are many different endorsement codes – or types of points – which will be added to the counterpart document of your photocard licence. There is no hiding these points, so it is vital that you know of any limitations or restrictions that may come with attempting to hire a van.

Each endorsement has a code and its own penalty points that are on a scale of 1 to 11. They will also have to stay on your driving licence for a set amount of time.

What type of endorsement codes are there?

Accident offences are coded as ‘AC’ and include failure to stop after an accident, and failure to report or provide particulars on an accident within 24 hours. These offence come with 5 to 10 penalty points and must remain on your licence for four years from the date of the offence.

Disqualified driver (BA) offences must also stay on your driving licence for four years. Earning you 6 penalty points apiece, these offences include driving whilst disqualified by the court and attempting to drive whilst disqualified.

Codes CD10, CD20 and CD30 range from 3 to 9 penalty points and cover minor careless driving offences. As above, they remain on your licence for four years. Codes CD40, CD50, CD60 and CD70, CD80 and CD90 are far more serious, covering death by dangerous driving, which will also carry a court conviction.

Other more serious penalty codes include:

DD10 – Reckless/Dangerous Driving (causing serious injury by dangerous driving)
DR10 – Drink and Drugs (driving or attempting to drive with alcohol level above limit)
IN10 – Insurance Offences (using a vehicle uninsured against third party risks)
MS50 – Miscellaneous Offences (motor racing on the highway)
MW10 – Motorway Offences (contravention of special roads regulations (excluding speed limits)
PC10 – Pedestrian Crossing (undefined contravention of pedestrian crossing regulations)
SP30 – Speed Limits (exceeding statutory speed limit on a public road)

For a full list of endorsement codes and penalty points you may want to check out the gov.uk website.

Can I still hire a vehicle?

When it comes to hiring a van, Supervan Ltd is – as all hire companies are – restricted by our insurance company when it comes to renting vans and other vehicles to drivers with points on their licence. We are able to hire vans, cars and motorbikes to people with no more than 6 points on their licence; anything more and your request would have to be referred to our insurer.

The types of penalty points on your licence will then be assessed. If your offences are fairly minor such as speeding or traffic light violations you may still be able to hire a van, car or motorbike from Supervan Ltd; however, if you have a drink driving conviction under 5 years old or you have previously been disqualified from driving, it is highly unlikely that we will be able to insure you and therefore supply you with a rental vehicle.

Are you unsure about your ability to hire a vehicle with points on your driving licence? Please call Supervan Ltd today to discuss your needs and circumstances and we will do all we can to help.

Added by: Mark Coventry