I Regained My Driving Licence After Disqualification: A Case Study

When Shane (26) had his driving licence revoked after clocking up six penalty points in two years, he was understandably upset that he had let it get to that stage. Here, he reveals how it felt to regain his driving licence after being disqualified from driving.

Driving Offences

Shane's driving licence was revoked after he clocked up six points within the first two years of passing his practical driving test and receiving his driving licence. Under the New Drivers Act, new drivers are automatically disqualified from driving if they receive six or more penalty points within two years of passing the practical driving test.

Disqualification

After being notified of his disqualification, Shane had to Surrender his Driving Licence and appeared in court: "I had to hand my driving licence into my local police station for them to send off to the DVLA or court. I appeared in court and was given a six month ban, a fine of £300 and was ordered to reapply for my provisional driving licence and retake my theory and practical tests once my ban was lifted".

It didn't take Shane long to feel the effects of being without a driving licence. He says, "Losing my driving licence was a massive blow. You don't realise how much you need and depend on your car. Losing my driving licence made me feel like I had lost all of my independence and freedom, and made even everyday trips seem complicated".

Regaining His Driving Licence

Two years after first being disqualified, Shane has been able to regain his driving licence after resitting his Theory and Practical Driving Tests. Six months after his disqualification, he was granted permission to reapply for a provisional driving licence so that he could resit both tests. After successfully doing so, he was highly relieved to pass both tests and be granted a new driving licence. As it was a brand new driving licence that he received, the offending penalty points were wiped off and he started again with a clean driving licence.

Now that he has his new driving licence, Shane is adamant that he has learnt his lesson the hard way: "I would never risk losing my driving licence again, and I appreciate it a thousand times more now because I know what it feels like to have it taken away".

Changing His Driving Style

Losing his driving licence has had a positive effect on Shane's driving style, especially in relation to the speeding offences that resulted in his driving licence being revoked: "I am now very cautious and don't ever break the speed limit. I always drive with care and look out for changing speed limit signs".

Speaking from his own experiences of disqualification, Shane has the following advice for other drivers: "I would advise anyone who does not think about speeding or fails to treat speed limits seriously to stop taking their licence for granted. You may think that it doesn't matter and that you won't get caught, or that it is funny having a race with your mates but in the end, it will be you that loses out. The speed limits are there for reasons of safety, not just so fines can be handed out. Having a driving licence and a car is a privilege and you never realise how much until it is taken away from you - not only do you lose your right to drive, but you also lose your freedom and independence".