What a load of bollocks
Convictions stay on your license for three years , after that you can have them removed .
I have just removed an SP10 I got in Decemeber 2001 and yes I did have to pay £19 for them to be removed
I never understood why insurance companys ask if you have been convicted in the last 5 years simply because if they are removed after 3 years then DVLA remove it from your record
Also a BAN only lasts for three years too , I KNOW I GOT BANNED IN NOVEMBER FOR A WEEK
When I was in court I asked the magistrates how long the ban would appear on the license and they also said 3 years
DONT LISTEN TO THE OB WHO TELL YOU ITS 4 YEARS