Check when your disqualification ends

You can find the date your driving ban ends: online on the reminder form D27 that DVLA sends you 56 days before your disqualification ends on the D27PH letter issued 90 days before certain drink-related disqualifications end by contacting DVLA (if you’re in Northern Ireland, contact DVA )

Apply to reduce your disqualification period

You can ask the court to reduce your disqualification period after you’ve been banned from driving for: 2 years - if the disqualification was for fewer than 4 years half the disqualification period - if it was for at least 4 but under 10 years 5 years - if the disqualification was for 10 years or more You must have a good reason for asking for the disqualification to be reduced. For example, if you think the court made a legal mistake or there were reasons you committed the driving offence that the court did not take into account. Write to the court that disqualified you with the date of offence, date of conviction and any other supporting information. The court will tell DVLA if it decides to reduce your disqualification period. If it does, you’ll need to apply for a new licence. If the court refuses your request you have to wait 3 months before you can ask again. If your disqualification is reduced Car or motorbike licences Apply for a new licence by sending DVLA a completed form D1 ‘Application for a driving licence’, available from most Post Offices . You must pay a fee . Lorry or bus licences Apply for a new licence by sending DVLA a completed form D2 ‘Application for a lorry/bus licence’, available from the DVLA form ordering service . You must pay a fee . Northern Ireland Apply to the DVA to renew your licence .

If you need to retake your test

If the court told you that you must take another driving test before driving again, you’ll have to apply for a new provisional licence. You can drive as soon as your ban is over and you’ve passed the tests you need to take. How to get a new licence DVLA will send you a reminder 56 days before your disqualification ends - use this to apply for a new provisional driving licence. If you did not get a reminder, order an application form instead. Order form D1 for a car and motorbike licence or form D2 for a lorry and bus licence. Book and take a theory and practical test (or compulsory basic training and motorcycle practical test if you ride a motorcycle). Book and take an extended practical test if the court told you to take one. The extended practical test lasts at least 60 minutes and has higher fees . When you’ve passed the practical test, ask the examiner to arrange for your new licence to be sent to you - you can legally drive as soon as you’ve passed the practical test. If you want to drive a large vehicle (category C) or a bus (category D) the local traffic commissioner must agree - DVLA will ask them when you apply for your new full licence. There’s a different process in Northern Ireland . If you’ve got a licence from an EU country Do not apply for a provisional licence - you can use your EU driving licence to take the test instead. Follow the usual rules for learning to drive until you retake your test and pass.

Changes to your name and address while disqualified

Tell DVLA if you change your name or address while disqualified. Write with details of your old and new address, name if changed, your driving licence number (if known) and date of birth. DVLA Swansea SA99 1AB There’s a different process in Northern Ireland .

Disqualification for drink-driving

You can be disqualified if you’re found guilty of drink-driving. Depending on your offence, you can also be fined or sent to prison . You’ll need to apply for a new licence after your disqualification ends. If you’re disqualified from driving for 12 months or more, you might be able to reduce your ban by taking a drink-drive rehabilitation course . High risk offenders If you’re a ‘high risk offender’, you will not get your new licence until you can prove you’re fit to drive again. You’ll need to pass a medical examination with one of DVLA’s appointed doctors. You’re a high risk offender if you: were convicted of 2 drink driving offences within 10 years were driving with an alcohol reading of at least 87.5 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres ( ml ) of breath, 200 milligrammes ( mg ) of alcohol per 100 ml of blood, or 267.5 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of urine refused to give the police a sample of breath, blood or urine to test for alcohol refused to allow a sample of your blood to be tested for alcohol (for example if it was taken when you were unconscious) You’ll get a D27PH renewal form 90 days before your disqualification ends. You must fill in the form and send it to DVLA to reapply for your licence. Medical examination with a DVLA doctor Once DVLA receive your application for a new licence, they’ll send you the doctors details so you can make an appointment. You have to pay for your examination. During the examination, you’ll: complete a questionnaire about your medical history and use of alcohol take part in a physical examination have your blood tested The process is different in Northern Ireland .

Disqualification for drug driving

You can be disqualified from driving for at least 1 year if you’re found guilty of drug driving . Depending on your offence, you can also be fined or sent to prison. You must apply for a new licence before you can drive again.

Driving disqualifications

Overview

You can be banned (disqualified) from driving if you are either:

convicted of a driving offence
get 12 or more penalty points (endorsements) within 3 years

You’ll get a summons in the post that tells you when you must go to court.

Some disqualification rules are different in Northern Ireland.

How long a driving ban will last

The court will decide how long the disqualification will last, based on how serious they think the offence is.

You can be banned from driving if you already have 12 or more penalty points on your licence. Your ban can last:

6 months, if you get 12 or more penalty points within 3 years
12 months, if you get a second disqualification within 3 years
2 years, if you get a third disqualification within 3 years

Disqualified for 56 days or more

If you’re disqualified for 56 days or more you must apply for a new licence before driving again.

You might also have to retake your driving test or take an extended driving test before getting your full licence. The court will tell you if you have to do this.

Disqualified for less than 56 days

View your driving licence record online to check the disqualification. You cannot drive until it has ended.

You do not need to apply for a new licence before you can drive again.

Disqualification outside Great Britain

You cannot drive in Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man if you’ve been banned from driving on your Great Britain driving licence.

This is called ‘mutual recognition of disqualification’. Disqualified drivers from Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man are also banned from driving in Great Britain.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Driving disqualifications

Overview

How long a driving ban will last

Disqualified for 56 days or more

Disqualified for less than 56 days

Disqualification outside Great Britain

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Driving disqualifications

Overview

How long a driving ban will last

Disqualified for 56 days or more

Disqualified for less than 56 days

Disqualification outside Great Britain

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