Penalty Points and Convictions FAQs

Worried man looking for answers about penalty points
Our most Frequently Asked Questions about Penalty Points and Convictions.
  • Yes, you must tell Allianz if you or any driver who may drive your car has received any penalty points in the last three years. You must also tell Allianz of any convictions and/or pending convictions that you or any driver who will drive your car has received within the last five years.
  • Any convictions spent under the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Act 2016 do not need to be disclosed. Further information on spent convictions is available on www.citizensinformation.ie or you can check with your local Garda station if your conviction is considered spent under the Criminal Justice Act 2016.

In Ireland, penalty points are used to enforce the rules of the road and improve road safety and driver behaviour. 

Penalty points range from one to three points depending on the motoring offence committed. For example, you will receive one penalty point for driving on a cycle track and three penalty points for speeding. 

Insurers base quotes on several risk factors. In general, the number of penalty points, the nature of the motoring offences and the type of licence you have will determine whether or not your insurance premium is affected. Typically, though, your car insurance quote increases the more penalty points you have.

If within three years you accumulate 12 penalty points (7 for learner drivers), you'll be automatically disqualified from driving for six months. Once you have a driving ban, your premium will increase. This is because your risk factor increases. You might also find it harder to get insurance cover, especially from a new provider.

If your driving ban lasts more than two years, you'll lose your no-claims bonus (NCB). This also increases the cost of your car insurance.