Points & Offenses During Probation
What happens at 6 points from a single offense, fine tables, and how to check your points online. Real scenarios and costs explained.
You run a red light. A police officer stops you, writes up the offense — 6 points and a CZK 4,500 on-the-spot fine. Except you've only had your license for three months. And those 6 points from a single offense just triggered the obligation to complete a prevention program costing CZK 8,000 to 16,000. If you'd had your license for two years and one day, none of this would apply.
The point system works the same for all drivers — 12 points and you lose your license. But if you're in the probationary period, there's one extra complication that many beginners don't know about. This article shows you how the point system works, what each offense costs in points, what happens at 6 points from a single offense, and how to check your points online. We'll walk through three specific scenarios so you know exactly what could happen.
Quick summary:
- The point limit is 12 — the same for all drivers, including you
- There are three offense categories: 2, 4, or 6 points
- A single 6-point offense triggers mandatory training for new drivers (CZK 8,000–16,000)
- Accumulating smaller offenses (2+4=6) does NOT trigger this requirement
How the point system works
Since January 2024, Czechia has operated a simplified point system. Instead of the original five categories, there are just three: offenses worth 2 points, 4 points, and 6 points. Every driver starts with a clean slate — zero. Points are added for offenses. At 12 points, you lose your license.
Two rules that follow from this are often mentioned in the media. "2 strikes and you're out" means two 6-point offenses (2 × 6 = 12) cost you your license. "3 strikes and you're out" means the same for three 4-point offenses (3 × 4 = 12). These aren't special rules — it's simply the math of the simplified system.
An important detail: if you commit multiple offenses at the same time (say, during a single traffic stop), only the most serious one counts. So if you're caught holding your phone and not wearing a seatbelt, you get 4 points — not 8.
The 12-point limit applies to everyone
The most common myth about the probationary period claims: 'New drivers have a 6-point limit.' That's not true. The limit is 12 points for everyone. The number 6 refers to a different rule — mandatory training after a 6-point offense. A detailed breakdown of myths is in the chapter [Probation Rules](/probationary-period/rules/).
What's different for new drivers
Here's the critical distinction you need to understand. The point system itself is the same for you as for anyone else. But the law (Section 102f of Act No. 361/2000 Coll.) adds one extra obligation: if you commit an offense rated at 6 points during your two-year probationary period, you must complete a mandatory prevention program.
The program has two parts — a traffic psychology consultation (4 hours, CZK 3,000–6,000) and beginner driver training at a driving school (5 hours, CZK 4,000–10,000). The total cost ranges from CZK 8,000 to 16,000 and takes 9 hours of your time. You have 3 months from the delivery of the official notice to complete it. What exactly the training involves and where to do it is covered in the chapter Mandatory Training for New Drivers.
And here's the thing many people overlook. The obligation is only triggered by 6 points from a single offense. If you accumulate 6 points in smaller increments — say 2 for speeding and 4 for phone use — the mandatory training is not triggered. The law is unambiguous on this. That doesn't mean you can take smaller offenses lightly, though. Points add up, and at 12 you lose your license.
What each offense costs in points
6 points — the most serious offenses
Six-point offenses are the ones that trigger mandatory training for new drivers. These involve situations where there's a direct threat to life.
Driving under the influence of alcohol (above 0.3‰) costs 6 points, a fine of CZK 7,000–25,000, and a driving ban of 6–18 months. Refuse the breathalyzer? The fine jumps to CZK 25,000–75,000 and the driving ban extends to 18–36 months. Running a red light, endangering a pedestrian at a crosswalk, dangerous overtaking, or failing to stop at a police signal — all carry 6 points, an on-the-spot fine of CZK 4,500–5,500 (or CZK 7,000–25,000 in administrative proceedings), and a driving ban of 4–6 months. Exceeding the speed limit by 40+ km/h in town or 50+ km/h outside town falls into the same category.
As a new driver, alcohol is doubly dangerous for you. Of the 3,260 drivers who violated probation conditions in the first two years of the program, 68% were driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. One beer could cost you fines + points + driving ban + mandatory training — easily over CZK 30,000 combined. More on why alcohol is the top risk in the chapter Common Mistakes by New Drivers.
4 points — moderately serious offenses
Four-point offenses are the "everyday" mistakes that even experienced drivers make. Holding your phone while driving — 4 points and a fine of CZK 2,500–3,500 on the spot (CZK 4,000–10,000 in administrative proceedings). Failure to yield, driving without a seatbelt, a child without a car seat, or unsafe lane changes — all carry 4 points in the same fine range. Three such offenses and you hit 12 points — the "3 strikes" rule.
2 points — less serious offenses
Exceeding the speed limit by 10–19 km/h is 2 points and a fine of CZK 1,500–2,000 on the spot. Failing to stop before a pedestrian crossing or parking in a disabled space also falls into the 2-point category, though with a higher fine (CZK 2,500–3,500 on the spot). Two points may sound harmless — but six such offenses and you're at 12.
Three scenarios — what happens when...
Theory is one thing, but what actually happens in practice? Let's walk through three typical situations you might encounter as a new driver.
Scenario 1: A six-point offense
Imagine you run a red light. The police stop you, write up the offense — 6 points. The points are recorded in the driver register, and the municipal authority sends you a notice to complete the prevention program. You have 3 months to book a traffic psychologist (4 hours, CZK 3,000–6,000) and driving school training (5 hours, CZK 4,000–10,000). You submit the confirmation to the authority — and carry on driving. But note: those 6 points stay on your record. And if you miss the 3-month deadline, you automatically lose your license.
Scenario 2: Gradual accumulation of smaller offenses
One day a speed camera catches you — 15 km/h over the limit, 2 points. Two months later you're caught holding your phone — 4 points. Your total is now 6 points. But the mandatory training is not triggered, because it's an accumulation, not a single 6-point offense. You continue driving normally. The points will start being deducted after 12 months without any further offense (4 points at a time). But you're on thin ice — one more 4-point offense brings you to 10. One more 2-point offense after that and you're at 12 — license revoked.
Scenario 3: Reaching 12 points
The worst case. You hit 12 points — perhaps two 6-point offenses, or a combination of smaller ones. The municipal authority notifies you. You must surrender your license within 5 business days. For at least one year, you cannot drive. After that, you can apply for reinstatement — but you must pass a re-examination at a driving school (theory + practical, CZK 3,000–5,000), a medical exam (CZK 500–1,000), a traffic psychology assessment (CZK 2,500–4,000), and pay an administrative fee (CZK 100). All in all, getting your license back after reaching 12 points costs at least CZK 6,000–10,000 and a year without a car.
How fast you can lose your license
Day 1: Running a red light → 6 points. Day 30: Speeding by 25 km/h in town → 4 points. Total: 10 points in one month. One more 2-point offense — say, 12 km/h over the limit — and you're at 12. The whole process can unfold in a matter of weeks.
How to get rid of points
Points don't last forever. There are two ways to clean up your record.
Automatic deduction works on its own — you just need to drive clean. After 12 months without a single point-carrying offense, 4 points are removed. After another 12 months, another 4. After 36 months without an offense, your record is clean. But be careful — one point-carrying offense resets the 12-month clock to zero.
Safe driving course is the active route. You complete a course at an accredited center and apply for point deduction within 30 days. Four points are removed (increased from 3 since the 2024 amendment). There are conditions, though: you can have a maximum of 10 points on your record, you must not have an active 6-point offense, and you can use this option at most once per calendar year. A detailed overview of the point system for all drivers is available in the Point System hub.
How to check your points
You don't need to wait for a letter from the authorities. You can check your point balance yourself — for free.
The easiest way is the Transport Portal (portaldopravy.cz). Log in with your bank identity and you'll see your current balance instantly. Bonus: you can set up notifications — the system alerts you whenever your point balance changes. The second option is the Citizen Portal (portal.gov.cz) — log in with your electronic ID card or data box.
If you don't have bank identity, you can go in person. At a Czech POINT office (post offices, municipal offices, notaries) you'll get a statement for CZK 100 (CZK 50 for each additional page). At the driver register at the municipal authority, it's cheaper — CZK 30 (CZK 10 per additional page).
Set up notifications
On the Transport Portal, you can enable alerts for changes to your point balance. You'll learn about new points before the paper letter arrives — and you can act faster. More practical tips in the chapter [Tips for a Safe Probationary Period](/probationary-period/safety-tips/).
Summary
- The point system has three categories: 2, 4, and 6 points — the limit for license revocation is 12 points for everyone
- As a new driver, you don't have a reduced limit — but a single 6-point offense triggers mandatory training (CZK 8,000–16,000)
- Accumulating smaller offenses (2+4=6) does not trigger the requirement
- Points are automatically deducted after 12 months without an offense (−4 points)
- Check your balance for free on the Transport Portal (portaldopravy.cz)
- Reaching 12 points costs you at least a year without your license and CZK 6,000–10,000 to get it back
Key Terms
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Point system | Record of driver offenses — points are added per offense (2, 4, or 6), license revoked at 12 points |
| Six-point offense | Most serious offense category (alcohol, red light, extreme speeding) — triggers mandatory training for new drivers |
| "2 strikes and you're out" | Two 6-point offenses (2 × 6 = 12) = automatic license revocation |
| "3 strikes and you're out" | Three 4-point offenses (3 × 4 = 12) = automatic license revocation |
| Prevention program | Psychological consultation (4 h) + driving school training (5 h), mandatory after a 6-point offense during probation |
| License revocation (12 points) | Reaching 12 points — driver loses their license, cannot drive for at least one year |
| Automatic point deduction | After 12 months without a point-carrying offense, 4 points are removed; clean record after 36 months |
| Transport Portal | Portaldopravy.cz — free online point balance check via bank identity |