Can I recover my licence points?
Yes, by time or by a course. The licence has 12 points (8 for new drivers, rising to 12 after two years without penalty). You recover points two ways. Automatically: if you commit no point-deducting offences for 2 years (or 3 years if the last was serious or very serious), you recover the full balance. Voluntarily: an awareness and road-safety re-education course recovers up to 6 points, which you can take once every 2 years (once a year for professionals). If you lose all your points, the licence is void and you must take a course and an exam to recover it.
📋 The rules
- 12-point licence (8 for new drivers)
- Automatic recovery after 2 years with no penalty (3 if serious)
- Course: recovers up to 6 points, once every 2 years
- Professionals: the course once a year
- Total loss: void licence, course + exam
🔓 Exceptions
- The course doesn't cancel the fine or the offence, only recovers points
- You can't exceed the maximum balance (12 or 8 points)
- After losing all points there's a minimum period before recovering the licence
⚠️ Penalties & fines
If you lose all your points, your licence is void: you must wait a period (3 or 6 months by case), take a re-education course and pass a knowledge test. Driving with a void licence due to lost points is a crime. The partial recovery course costs money and returns up to 6 points, but doesn't cancel the fine or the offence that caused the loss.
📎 Official sources
- DGT · Points-based licence →
- DGT · Recovering points →
- BOE · Traffic, Circulation and Road Safety Law →
❓ Frequently asked
How do I recover my licence points?
Two ways: automatically, if you go 2 years with no point-deducting penalties (3 years if the last was serious or very serious), you recover the full balance; or by taking an awareness course, which returns up to 6 points, once every 2 years.
How many points does a course recover?
Up to 6 points, without exceeding the maximum balance (12, or 8 for new drivers). The awareness and re-education course can be taken once every 2 years (once a year for professional drivers).
How many points does the licence have?
12 for the regular driver and 8 for new drivers in the first two years, rising to 12 if they lose no points. The balance can reach 15 with prolonged good conduct.
What if I lose all my points?
The licence is void. You must wait a period (3 or 6 months), take a re-education course and pass a test to recover it. Driving meanwhile is a crime.
Does the course cancel the fine?
No. The recovery course only returns points; it doesn't cancel the fine or the offence that caused it. To appeal a penalty you must follow the objection or appeal procedure within the legal deadlines.
🔎 Common searches
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