Getting banned from driving is an unfortunate occurrence but it does happen to a lot of people. If the same has happened to you and you are looking forward to getting back on the road, we are here for you. You might think that returning to driving might be about waiting for the ban period to get over.
However, you may need to take a few steps before you can drive again. If you try to cut corners you might end up extending your ban. So, whether it’s Banned driver car hire in Welwyn Garden City you are looking for or simply getting back your license, we have prepared a guide for you. So, continue reading to find out more.
First of all, let us find out how a driving ban works.
How does a driving ban work?
A driving ban occurs if you get convicted of any offense related to driving or if you accumulate 12 or more points on your license within a period of three years. The court that is dealing with your case decides the duration of the ban, depending on what you were convicted of.
You may be banned from driving for the following periods:
- Six months ban if you have 12 or more points
- Twelve months if you get disqualified a second time within three years
- Two years if you get disqualified for the third time within three years
If your ban is more than 56 days, you will need to go for a new driving license. The court will let you know whether you need to take an extended test or a driving test before getting your license back.
If your ban is less than 56 days, you can easily check its status by viewing your license online. This way you won’t need to apply for a new one to get back on the road.
How to reduce the disqualification period?
You may ask the court to reduce the duration of your ban after you have been banned for the following periods:
- Two years – If your ban is fewer than four years
- Half the period– If the ban is between four years and ten years
- Five years – If the ban is for ten or more years
As per the UK government, you need to give a good reason to the court if you want your banning period reduced. For example, if you think the court has made a mistake or didn’t consider some of the reasons why you were convicted of the driving offence.
You will need to appeal to the court that is dealing with your case along with all supporting information. Then the court will take a decision and let the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) know if it reduces your ban period. If it does, you will have to apply for a new driving license. If it doesn’t reduce your ban period, you will need to wait for three months before appealing again.
How to re-apply for a driver's license?
You will be able to apply for your driving license before the end of your ban period. If you were banned due to drunk driving, the DVLA will send you a form before the ban ends. You will need to fill up the form and send it back to them along with the fee. If, by any chance, the DVLA doesn’t send you a new form, you will need to get one from your local post office. If you have changed your title or address since the ban, you will need to update those in the form.
What are some useful tips for getting back on the road?
A few useful tips for getting back on the road are as follows:
➲ Insure your car
When you are getting back on the road after a ban, you will need to do a few things. The first thing would be to insure your car and apply for road tax. You can opt for convicted driver insurance for your car. It’s an affordable insurance policy and has the same benefits as regular car insurance.
➲ Take your car for servicing
Your car has been sitting in the garage for years now. So, you would need to take it for servicing as soon as possible. You will also need to do some basic checks and make some adjustments before you take it out on the road.
➲ Go for a refresher course
If you have not driven for a long time, you may have forgotten some of the finer points of driving. You can easily opt for a refresher course at a driving school of your choice and brush up on your skills.
Conclusion
So, this was all about how to get back on the road after a driving ban. We also learnt a lot about the driving ban and how it works. Hopefully, after reading this blog you are feeling confident about getting back on the road. To get the best experience, you would need to opt for a refresher course as mentioned above. If you are looking for an experienced and licensed driving school, you can get in touch with Confident Pass Driving School. They also provide Driving test car hire in London.
