Penalty points

Penalty points can “add up” faster than you think—sometimes for a minor infraction that seems harmless. Then the classic question arises: how many do I have, and when will they disappear? In this guide from the “Drive Like a 5.o” series, we explain it in the simplest way, step by step.

How to Check Penalty Points (Legally and Fastest)

The best news: today, checking your penalty points doesn’t require waiting in line at an office. You can do it online and get the result immediately.

The most common options are:

Internet Patient Account? No—here it’s about mObywatel, the mobile app for official matters.
Trusted Profile or another form of electronic login (to confirm your identity).
In-person visit at the office—slower, but still works if you don’t want to log in online.

If someone asks “where to check penalty points“, the answer is: on official government channels or in the mObywatel app (if the function is available in your version/service).

How Many Penalty Points Can You Have and What Next If You Already Have Them?

The number of penalty points you can have depends on the driver’s status (e.g., experience/probation period) and current regulations. We won’t throw out numbers from memory here, because limits can change, and giving the wrong threshold in an article does more harm than good.

Instead, stick to this simple rule:

If your points are starting to add up, check the limit in the current regulations (or ask at the Driver Examination Center/official websites),
Treat points like a budget: the closer you get to the limit, the more it pays off to drive “cleanly” and avoid risky situations.
If you’re a taxi driver using the most popular apps like Uber, Bolt, or Freenow, check your points regularly to avoid work downtime.

When Do Penalty Points Expire?

The question “when do penalty points expire” keeps coming back like a boomerang. Points don’t “magically” disappear after a month or two—there’s a specific time mechanism involved, and what matters is, among other things, when the timer starts and how the case was closed (e.g., ticket accepted, decision made, etc.).

The most important things:

Don’t be influenced by internet myths,
Check your status in the official system,
Remember the “expiration time” may be counted from a specific administrative event, not the day of the offense.

Most Common Myths About Penalty Points

There are plenty of “certainties” floating around about points that sound logical… but can lead to costly mistakes.

Myth: “Points always expire exactly one year after the offense.”
Reality is more complicated—the deadline can depend on how and when the case was formally settled, so it’s worth checking in the official system.
Myth: “If I pay the fine immediately, the points disappear faster.”
Paying promptly is wise, but it doesn’t mean the points are removed sooner. These are two different things: money and the points record.
Myth: “If I don’t accept the ticket, there won’t be any points.”
Refusing a ticket doesn’t make the issue go away—the case may go further, and points (and costs) may appear later if the ruling is unfavorable.
Myth: “You can check your points on any website.”
Beware of “intermediary” sites. The safest way is to check points only in official services or apps that actually have access to the data.
Myth: “If I drive carefully now, my old points don’t matter.”
Careful driving is great, but it’s worth knowing your current status—the limit doesn’t care about intentions, only the total points.

How to Drive “Like a 5.o” to Get Fewer Points

In practice, points are most often given for repeat offenses, not “bad luck”. In the “Drive Like a 5.o” series, we stick to habits that make a difference:

Leave more distance (fewer nervous maneuvers).
Watch your speed in critical areas: exits, city entrances, around schools.
Don’t “push through” on yellow—it often leads to bad decisions.
Before setting out on a longer trip, check your points and organize documents in the app.

Cheat Sheet: What to Check and Why

What you want to know	What to do	Why
How to check penalty points	Log in to the official service / mObywatel	See facts, not guesses
How many penalty points you can have	Verify the limit in current regulations	Avoid exceeding the threshold
When points expire	Check the deadline and status in the system	Don’t rely on myths

Summary

Penalty points don’t have to be a “mystery”. If you know how to check your penalty points, understand the limit, and know when penalty points expire, you’re in control—and that’s the foundation of driving like a 5.o.