A drink driving conviction carries a mandatory driving disqualification of at least 12 months, extending to up to three years if you have been convicted twice in 10 years. In this article, we’ll examine the consequences of losing your licence, the penalties for driving while banned, and if you can avoid a driving ban altogether.
If you need immediate advice about a driving disqualification, contact Parnell and Peel today. Call 033 03411690 or make a free online enquiry to speak to a skilled solicitor about your circumstances.
Losing a Licence: What You Need to Know
Discover the key impacts of losing your license and the steps you can take to avoid or reduce a disqualification.
The Consequences of Losing a Driving Licence
The impact of losing your licence can be far-reaching and put strain on your daily tasks, finances, and relationships. Below are some primary areas of concern.
Disruption to Daily Life:
The most apparent consequence of losing your licence is the inconvenience it causes. You may struggle to keep up with your regular tasks and responsibilities, such as food shopping, attending appointments, or managing school runs. This loss of mobility can also lead to greater reliance on friends and family, straining relationships and causing feelings of guilt and burden.
Losing driving independence can also cause isolation and frustration, especially for those living in rural areas or locations with poor transport links.
Job Security and Career Impact:
Losing a licence can seriously affect your career, mainly if your job requires operating a company vehicle. Due to a disqualification, you could lose your job and income. A drink driving conviction will also add an endorsement on your licence for 11 years, making securing driving-related roles far more challenging.
Even if your role doesn’t involve driving, your employment prospects may still suffer. The sudden inability to drive yourself to work could make holding down a job difficult – especially if public transport options are limited.
Financial Burden:
You may find that your day-to-day expenses rapidly increase as you rely on alternative transportation methods, such as regular taxi fares or expensive train commutes. These extra expenditures can soon mount up and cause financial stress.
When you can retrieve your licence, this will also come at a cost. According to the government’s current Driving Licence Fees, reinstating a licence after a drink driving disqualification can cost up to £90 if a medical exam with a DVLA doctor is required.
Limited Car Insurance Options and Higher Premiums:
Once your driving licence is finally restored, you may have difficulty securing car insurance, especially at an affordable price. Having just a few points on your license can increase your premiums since insurance companies view you as a higher risk. A disqualification and loss of licence will likely place you at the top end of premium rates, with some insurers refusing coverage altogether.
What Happens If You Drive Without a Licence?
Once disqualified, you must abstain from driving any motor vehicle until your ban has ended. You can check the gov.uk website to check when your disqualification ends. Attempting to drive while disqualified is not worth the risk as it’s a serious motoring offence in the eyes of the law.
If caught driving while disqualified, the consequences are severe. You could face fines of up to £5,000, an extension of your ban, and up to six penalty points on your licence. Depending on the circumstances and your history, you may also be subject to a community service order, curfews, or even imprisonment.
Can You Avoid Losing Your Licence?
Although the legal process can be complex, there are ways to avoid or reduce the length of a driving disqualification. Learn more about your options below.
Successfully Defend the Case:
The most effective way to avoid a driving ban is to prove you are not guilty of drink driving. Your best chance of success is working with a specialist drink driving lawyer who can thoroughly analyse your case and build a solid defence. Even if you believe the case is impossible to win, an experienced lawyer can often uncover weaknesses in the evidence and present this in court.
At Parnell and Peel, our skilled solicitors have extensive knowledge of technical defences. We review everything from police conduct, procedural errors, and potential mistakes in testing to ensure the best possible outcome for your case.
Present Special Reasons:
You could also accept that you are guilty, but only due to extenuating circumstances or ‘special reasons’. This option is not a total defence against a drink driving charge but may lead to a more lenient outcome, such as a reduced driving ban. For example, you might argue that you were driving due to an emergency or someone spiked your drink without your knowledge. Again, it’s best to consult a skilled drink driving solicitor to help you navigate this complex area of law.
Rehabilitation Course:
If you have been convicted, all hope is not lost. Depending on the severity of your conviction, the courts may offer you a drink drive rehabilitation course to reduce the length of your ban. However, you must pay for this course and complete it within a set timeframe.
Worried About Losing Your Licence? Take Action with Parnell and Peel
Facing a driving ban can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to tackle it alone. Contact the skilled drink driving solicitors at Parnell and Peel to discuss your case and clarify your next steps. Call us at 033 03411690 or submit a free, confidential online enquiry. We’ll respond swiftly and use our skills to help you retain your licence.
