Expired Endorsements

What are Endorsements?

An Endorsement is a visible penalty for a motoring offence placed on your driver's licence for a set period of time. These endorsements along with the corresponding number of penalty points are awarded if there has been a breaking of the law when it comes to driving or the manner in which you are found to be driving your vehicle.

Endorsements range from those relating to how the vehicle is cared for through to the much more serious offences where the lives of passengers and pedestrians are put at risk as a result of the driver's actions.

Types of Endorsement

The types of Endorsement handed down by a magistrate vary depending on the nature of the motoring offence. Some motoring offences such as speeding are handed down as a Fixed Penalty Notice - which means that the police can issue what many call a 'Speeding Ticket' and the points are then added to the licence.

The categories of Endorsements include:

• Accident Offences
• Construction & Use Offences
• Careless Driving
• Insurance Offences
• Licence Offences
• Motorway Offences
• Speeding Offences

How Long will an Endorsement Last?

The duration of an endorsement on your licence depends entirely on the nature of the offence committed. The minimum period of time for an endorsement to remain on your licence is four years. Again depending on the nature of the offence endorsements in some instances can last up to eleven years; for an endorsement to last this length of time it is normally the case that the driver will have caused death by reckless driving or by driving under the influence of alcohol of drugs. In which case a custodial sentence is usually applied as well.

Expired Endorsements

Once an endorsement has expired it is up to you to ensure that it is removed from your licence. The DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) will not automatically remove it from your licence even though it has expired so therefore you are charged with returning your licence to them in order for it to be removed.

You must send both your paper and photocard licence to the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) at their head offices in Swansea with the accompanying forms D1 and D750 as well as the required fee. Details of which can be found at the DVLA's website.

Applying to the Court

If you have been disqualified for four years then you can apply to the court where the disqualification was issued in the last year of the period. It is at the magistrate's discretion as to whether or not the disqualification will be lifted however the endorsements will stay on your licence until they have expired fully.

If taking this course of action you should employ the services of legal representation so that your case can be heard properly but there are no guarantees that the disqualification will be lifted. As we have already mentioned this is at the magistrate's discretion and he or she may feel that you are no ready to return to driving or that you are at risk of reoffending.

Taking the Test again

In some instances depending on the nature of the endorsements and the disqualification you may be required to retake your driving and theory tests before your licence will be returned. If this is the case then you will find you are liable to higher insurance premiums and may even find that some insurance companies refuse to insure you.

You will also find that the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) may make checks as to your health especially if your endorsements were relating to offences involving alcohol or drugs.

New Drivers Act 1995

The New Drivers Act 1995 states that if you are disqualified because of the maximum numbers being placed on your licence within the first two years following the issue of your licence that you must retake all tests necessary to achieving your licence.

Again if you are in any doubt you should contact the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) who will be able to provide you with further information