Motoring Offences

Exceptional hardship

If you accrue 12 or more penalty points on your licence, then, if you do nothing, you stand to receive a driving ban under the ‘totting up’ provisions of at least 6 months. This will usually lead to hardship to the individual concerned and their family and can lead to the loss of a job. Hardship is expected – you need to show yours would be exceptional. Commonly used as the basis of an application that a 6 month driving ban be avoided/ reduced. Preparation for such an exceptional hardship application to the Court is essential.

Probationary Drivers

If you have held your full licence for less than 2 years then if you accrue 6 points within that time you will have your licence revoked by the DVLA upon being notified by the Court. For example, it is tempting for young people to let friends drive their cars. DO NOT DO THIS unless they prove they are insured to drive it. If your friend is not insured the chances are you will lose your licence. If your friend is a probationary driver they may well lose their licence as well!

You cannot claim exceptional hardship in these circumstances. You will only be able to drive, having secured a provisional licence again pending a successful re-sit of your driving test. For all intents and purposes you will be a learner driver again.