We recently acted for a client who had been disqualified from driving for more than 10 years and was also required to take an extended re-test before regaining a full licence.
After just over 7 years of that disqualification had been served, we made a successful application in the Crown Court to reduce the remaining period of the driving ban.
Under section 42 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988, a person who has been disqualified from driving may apply to the court that imposed the order for the disqualification to be removed early. When deciding whether to grant that application, the court can consider:
- the person’s character and their conduct since the disqualification was imposed;
- the nature of the original offence; and
- any other relevant circumstances of the case.
This was not in any way, an attempt to minimise the seriousness of the original offence. The application was carefully prepared and supported by clear evidence of the client’s rehabilitation, ongoing compliance, and the court’s power to reduce a disqualification in the right case.
Amanda instructed experienced counsel to present the application, and the Judge agreed to reduce the disqualification with immediate effect. This means our client can now apply for a provisional licence and arrange the extended re-test almost 3 years earlier than expected.
How Gorvins can help
If you have been disqualified from driving for a lengthy period, you may be able to apply for that disqualification to be reduced sooner than you think. Seeking specialist legal advice at an early stage can make a significant difference to the strength of any application.
If you have been disqualified from driving, contact our specialist Road Traffic Defence Team for a free initial consultation. Call us today at 0161 930 5151, email us at crimeandregulatoryteam@gorvins.com or fill in the online form.