Driving Disqualification: Everything You Need to Know

Driving is a privilege that comes with great responsibility. However, there are instances when people engage in irresponsible behaviour on the road, jeopardizing their safety and the safety of others The legal system may step in and impose a driving disqualification in such cases. In this blog post, we will explore the instances you could be disqualified from driving, what to do next and the penalties you could incur for driving whilst disqualified.

Which Offenses May Lead to You Getting Banned from Driving?

Some offences could see you getting banned from driving; the most common ones are:

• Speeding: One of the most common driving offences in the UK, if you are speeding and get caught, you may end up £100 out of pocket and three penalty points added to your driving licence. However, if the offence is more severe and you were going over 10 miles over the speed limit, the penalty could be harsher, leading to a disqualification as you were putting your and other road users’ safety at risk whilst behind the wheel. You may receive an FPN in the post (Fixed Penalty Notice) and be ordered to go to court, which will decide whether a ban is needed.
• Drink Driving: If you have been caught drunk driving when stopped by the police, this is very likely to lead to some form of disqualification, in addition to a fine and, in extreme cases, being sent to prison.
• Drug Driving: Similar to drunk driving, this offence is very likely to lead to a disqualification, in addition to a hefty fine and a prison sentence.
• Mobile Phone Use: We all know how dangerous it is to use a mobile phone whilst driving, as it distracts you by not allowing you to be completely aware of your surroundings. The only time it’s allowed to use your mobile phone whilst in a vehicle is when you’re safely parked and stationery. In all other cases, if you’re caught using your phone whilst, behind the wheel, this can lead to six points being added to your licence, a £200 fine and, if you’re sent to court, they may decide whether a driving ban is needed.

What Happens When You’ve Been Banned from Driving?

Once the court imposes a driving ban, this will have an immediate effect. You will need to notify your Insurer of your change in circumstances, and you may need to SORN your car, keeping it off the street whilst not being allowed to drive. If you own a motorcycle in addition to a car, the ban will apply to all motor vehicles, so you won’t be able to drive either for the entire disqualification period.

Is a Driving Ban a Criminal Offence?

This depends on what offence triggered the ban. If you have been banned for speeding or using your mobile phone, you will not receive a criminal record as these are not offences which could lead to an arrest. However, in the case of more serious offences such as drunk driving, this does indeed lead to a criminal record.

 

 

How Do You Know When Does Your Disqualification End?

You can check in different ways like:

• Online
• On the D27 letter that the DVLA will send you 56 days before your ban ends
• By contacting the DVLA

Can You Apply to Reduce Your Disqualification Period?

The short answer is: It depends. For instance, if you have been banned for drunk driving, the way to reduce your driving ban maybe if your driving licence was clean before being banned and if you accept to carry out the drunk driving rehabilitation course that the court would be offering you. This could lead to a reduction in your ban of up to 3 months.

What Happens at the End of Your Driving Ban?

Depending on the court’s verdict, you should be doing one of the following:

• Apply for a new licence: By completing a D1 form and sending it to the DVLA (this can be found in most offices and will require the payment of a fee).
• Retake your driving test: This is only if the court has told you so. If this is the case, you will need to apply for a provisional licence and sit both your theory and practice test.

Are There Any Penalties for Driving Whilst Disqualified?

Driving when disqualified is very irresponsible and can lead to several negative consequences, including:

• A fine of up to £5,000
• Up to six penalty points on your driving licence
• Extension of your existing ban
• 12-month imprisonment

We hope this article has helped you understand the implications of a driving ban and its consequences. However, should you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us and we’ll be happy to help.

Tags: *Driving_Offence *Drink_Driving *Speeding *Driving_Conviction *Driving_Ban *Driving_Disqualification