The court MUST   order points to be endorsed on the licence according  to the fixed number or the range set by Parliament. The accumulation  of penalty points acts as a warning to drivers and motorcyclists that  they risk disqualification if further offences are committed.  Law RTOA sects 44 & 45  A driver or motorcyclist who accumulates 12 or more penalty points  within a 3-year period MUST   be disqualified. This will be for a  minimum period of 6 months, or longer if the driver or motorcyclist has  previously been disqualified.  Law RTOA sect 35  For every offence which carries penalty points the court has a  discretionary power to order the licence holder to be disqualified. This  may be for any period the court thinks fit, but will usually be between a  week and a few months.  In the case of serious offences, such as dangerous driving and  drink-driving, the court MUST   order disqualification. The minimum  period is 12 months, but for repeat offenders or where the alcohol  level is high, it may be longer. For example, a second drink-drive  offence in the space of 10 years will result in a minimum of 3 years’  disqualification. Law RTOA sect 34  highwaycodeuk.co.uk 173 