In general terms, you may make an application for your disqualification to be removed after you have served half of your disqualification and a minimum of 2 years. By way of example, if you have been disqualified from driving for 4 years, you may make an application after 2 years. The early removal of driving disqualification application must be made to the Magistrates’ Court that imposed the original disqualification and may incur a Court Fee for the lodging of the application. If you are eligible for your disqualification to be removed, there will then be a hearing at which the Magistrates will decide whether or not to exercise their discretion to remove the disqualification and in doing so will consider the following: The nature of the original offence for which disqualification was imposed Your conduct since the imposition of the disqualification Any other relevant information We have successfully secured the removal of disqualification on behalf of many clients and if you are currently disqualified and want to know the prospects of having your disqualification removed, please contact us for advice and a no-obligation consultation on how we can help. Below you will find helpful information on Early Removal Disqualification Law, How We Can Help and Commonly Asked Questions About the Early Removal of Disqualification. How do you know if you’re eligible for early removal of a driving ban? Section 42(3) of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988, provides that you may only make application for your disqualification period to end early in the following circumstances: If you have been disqualified for fewer than 4 years you may apply for the early return of your driving licence after 2 years If you have been disqualified for more than 4 years but fewer than 10 years you may apply for the early return of your licence after half the period of disqualification has been served After 5 years in any other case If you are currently disqualified from driving and want to know whether or not you are eligible to ask for your disqualification to be removed, please contact us for advice and a no obligation consultation on how we can help you. What’s the procedure for early removal of a driving ban? An application to end your driving disqualification early is made to the Magistrates’ or Crown Court that imposed the original disqualification and may only be heard once the above minimum periods have expired. When the application is lodged with the relevant court, a notice must also be sent to the relevant Chief Constable. The court may impose a fee for making this application. Once an application has been lodged and any fee paid, the court will then list a hearing to determine the application. You will be required to attend at this hearing and to present evidence as to why your licence should be returned. The police will also usually be represented at this hearing and may challenge the application. If you are currently disqualified from driving and wish to make an application for the early removal of your disqualification, please contact us for advice and for a no obligation consultation on how we may help you. "A huge thank you to the great legal team at Caddick Davies for helping me to keep my licence." What’s the test for an early removal of a driving disqualification? If you are eligible (see above) to make an application to have your disqualification removed early, then at any hearing the court will decide whether or not to return your licence based on the following considerations: The nature of the original offence for which disqualification was imposed Your conduct since the imposition of the disqualification Any other relevant information includes things like a job offer requiring you to hold a driving licence or the needs of your family. If you are currently disqualified from driving and wish to make an application for the early removal of your disqualification, please contact us for advice and for a no-obligation consultation on how we may help you. Can you make a second application for early removal of a driving ban? If you have made an unsuccessful application for the early removal of a driving disqualification then you may only make a new application after 3 months. If you are currently disqualified from driving and wish to make an application for the early removal of your disqualification, please contact us for advice and for a no obligation consultation on how we may help you. Call us for a free initial consultation 0333 443 2366 Or we can call you back at a time of your choice Request a Callback Mon to Fri: 8:00am - 8:00pm Sat to Sun: 9:00am - 5:00pm How We Can Help At Caddick Davies Solicitors, we specialise in applications for the early removal of driving disqualifications and have successfully secured the removal of driving bans on behalf of many clients. When you contact us we will be able to tell you whether you are eligible to make an application and if so, the prospects of success. If you choose to instruct us, we will then lodge the relevant paperwork and act to ensure that your application is heard as soon as possible. We will then prepare your case, including any supporting evidence and represent you at court during your application. If you are currently disqualified from driving and wish to make an application for the early removal of your disqualification, please contact our motoring offence solicitors for advice and a no obligation consultation on how we can help. Commonly Asked Questions Can you apply for a reduced disqualification period? Yes, you can apply for a reduced disqualification period if you meet the following criteria: If you have been disqualified for fewer than 4 years you may apply for the early return of your driving licence after 2 years If you have been disqualified for more than 4 years but fewer than 10 years you may apply for the early return of your licence after half the period of disqualification has been served After 5 years in any other case If you would like to make an application to have your disqualification period reduced, give us a call for advice. How do I make an application? This application is made to the Magistrates’ or Crown Court that imposed the original disqualification and may only be heard once the above minimum periods have expired. This involves lodging an application with the Magistrates’ Court that imposed the original disqualification and also notifying the Chief Constable of the relevant Police Force. In order to avoid the unnecessary loss of time, however, we may make a request for your case to be listed before the time has expired in order to avoid unnecessary delay and to allow your licence to be returned as soon as possible. Once an application has been lodged, the court will then list a hearing to determine the application. You will be required to attend at this hearing and to present evidence as to why your licence should be returned. The police will also usually be represented at this hearing and may challenge the application. How do the court decide whether they will accept my application? In determining your application the court will consider The nature of the original offence for which disqualification was imposed Your conduct since the imposition of the disqualification Any other relevant information Any other relevant information will include things such as, why do you need your licence? If it is the case that you have the offer of employment if you obtain a driving licence or you have a relative who is immobile and requires your assistance, these reasons will help your case. What is the court fee for making an application? Many courts will charge between £180 and £250 to make an application for the early removal of disqualification. Not all courts do impose this charge and where possible we will seek to avoid it on your behalf. Can I get Legal Aid? No. Unfortunately, legal aid is not available to make an application for the early removal of a driving disqualification. Do I need a Solicitor? By law it is not required that you have a solicitor to make an application, however it is fair to say that you will generally benefit and the likelihood of success will be greater if you do have legal representation and more so if you have experienced and specialist representation. If you are currently disqualified from driving and wish to make an application to get back your driving licence early, please contact us for advice and for a no obligation consultation on how we may help you. My application for early removal of a driving ban has been rejected - can I apply again? If you have had an application for early removal refused, then you may make a new application after 3 months.