Can I Drive on the Day My Ban Ends?

No, in many cases, you cannot drive on the day the ban ends. This is because you might need to (1) re-apply for your driving licence, (2) undergo medical inquiries to verify your fitness to drive, or (3) take an extended retest.

Although you will be eager to return to driving, before you do, you must ensure you have met all necessary criteria imposed, and if you are in any doubt over your position to get behind the wheel again, please seek legal advice first.

Although you will be eager to return to driving, before you do, you must ensure you have met all necessary criteria imposed to drive again. If you find yourself asking “Can I drive on the day my ban ends?” or if you are in any doubt over your position to legally get behind the wheel following a period of disqualification, please seek legal advice first before driving.

Contact our team for a free consultation at 0151 944 4967.

Read on for more details on the things you must do before you can drive again following a disqualification.

What Is A Driving Disqualification?

A driving disqualification refers to a suspension of a person’s driving privileges and licence to operate a motor vehicle.

Some key points about driving disqualifications:

• They are penalties imposed for serious driving offences, such as:
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI/DWI)
  • Careless or dangerous driving
  • Accumulating too many penalty points on your licence
  • Causing death or injury by dangerous driving
• Disqualification periods can range from several months to multiple years depending on the offence.
• During the disqualification period, it becomes illegal for the offender to drive a motor vehicle on public roads.
• Those caught driving while disqualified face additional penalties like fines, imprisonment, and an extension of the ban.
• After the disqualification period ends, the offender may need to re-apply for their driver’s licence and prove they are fit to drive again.
• Repeat or high-risk offenders may face permanent revocation of their driving privileges until an extended re-test is taken.

In summary, a driving disqualification is a punishment for serious driving offences that temporarily or permanently suspends someone’s legal privilege to drive and operate a motor vehicle on public roads. It aims to penalise dangerous drivers and get them off the roads.

Calculating Your Disqualification End Date

If you have been disqualified from driving, it is essential to confirm the exact date your ban ends before getting back behind the wheel.

Here’s how to calculate it:

• The disqualification period starts on the date of your sentencing court hearing where the ban was imposed.
• Disqualification lengths are typically set as a defined number of weeks or months by the court.
• Because driving bans take effect immediately on the sentencing date, the time of day impacts the end date.
• The time the ban was ordered on your sentencing date must therefore be factored in when determining the precise end moment of the disqualification period.
• Courts sometimes provide an exact expiration date and time which makes it straightforward. But calculating it yourself requires noting the sentencing date/time and carefully counting the disqualification term.
• Never assume your driving ban is over – always calculate or verify the end date and time to avoid driving while still disqualified.

Checking Your Licence to Verify Disqualification End Date

If you are unsure of your exact driving ban end date, you can easily check it online using the DVLA’s licence checking service:

• Go to https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence
• You will need your driver’s licence number, national insurance number, and registered postal code.
• Enter these details to access your licence status and driving record.
• Here you will see an entry for your disqualification showing:
  • Offence name
  • Offence date
  • Disqualification start date
  • Disqualification end date
  • Date it is removed from the licence
  • Sentencing court
• This will state the precise date your ban ends.
• For example, if it ends on January 1st 2024, you may legally drive again starting January 2nd 2024 once the disqualification period has expired.

Checking your digital driving record is the quickest and easiest way to verify your exact disqualification completion date if you are unsure when your licence suspension ends.

When Can I Return to Driving Again

It is not as simple as returning to driving again as soon as the disqualification is over. You can return to driving after a disqualification has ended, if and only if, you have a valid driving licence.

That means that if your driving licence has been surrendered to the DVLA then you will have to re-apply for your full licence again before you can drive.

If you have not surrendered your driving licence, it may be that you were supposed to, and therefore it is important to check whether the driving licence photo card that you have is valid.

When Do You Need to Surrender Your Driving Licence to the DVLA

If your disqualification is:

• Less than 56 days – You keep your licence. Once the ban ends, you can resume driving immediately.
• 56 days or longer – You must surrender your licence to the DVLA. After the ban, you’ll need to re-apply to get a new licence before driving again.
• For drunk driving – You may be offered a rehabilitation course to reduce your disqualification if completed on time. This can minimize the ban by 3 months to 25%.

In short:

• Short bans under 56 days – Keep licence and resume driving after.
• Long bans 56+ days – Surrender licence, re-apply after ban ends.
• Drink driving – May shorten ban by taking rehabilitation course.

Knowing whether you have to surrender your licence or not and if you’re eligible for drunk driving rehabilitation is important. This impacts the process of restoring your driving privileges once the disqualification period is over.

Drink Driving Rehab Course Reductions

If you’re banned for any drink driving offences, you may be offered a rehabilitation course. If completed on time, this can reduce your disqualification:

• Minimum Reduction – Completing the course can reduce your ban by at least 3 months.
• Maximum Reduction – It can reduce your ban by up to 25% of the total length.

For example:

• 12-month ban – The course could reduce the disqualification by 3 months (minimum) to 3 months (25% of 12 months).
• 60-month ban – The course could reduce the disqualification by 3 months (minimum) to 15 months (25% of 60 months).

The exact reduction awarded within these minimum and maximum terms depends on the court but completing rehabilitation can significantly shorten a drink driving disqualification.

Be sure to take the course and provide proof of completion by the court’s deadline to benefit from having your driving ban reduced.

Getting Your Licence Back & Do You Need To Do A Driving Test?

If your ban was 56+ days, you must re-apply to the DVLA when it ends:

• You don’t need to re-take any tests.
• You need to re-apply for a new photocard licence.
• You can apply up to 56 days before your ban ends.
• The DVLA will send a D27 form to renew 56 days prior.
• Or get a D1 form from the post office.
• Send the completed form with fees to the DVLA.
• You may need a new passport photo.

Extended Re-Tests

For serious offences like dangerous driving, you may need an extended re-test:

• Lasts a minimum 60 minutes.
• Has increased fees.
• Testing is to a higher standard.
• Routes are longer and more difficult.
• You’ll need to do more manoeuvres.

So in summary – after a long ban you must re-apply for your licence and some serious offences will require passing an extended re-test before you can get your driving licence back and start driving again.

Medical Exams for High-Risk Offenders

If convicted of certain serious offences, you may be classified as a high-risk offender when reapplying for your licence. In this situation, you will need to prove that you are fit to drive by passing a medical examination with the DVLA’s appointed doctors before your licence is reinstated.

You’ll be considered high risk if:

• It’s your 2nd drink/drug driving conviction in 10 years
• You had an alcohol reading over 87.5mg of breath or more, 200mg of blood or more, Or 267.5mg of urine or more.
• You were convicted due to failing to provide a sample for analysis

If high risk, you’ll get a D27PH form 90 days before your ban ends. You must fill this form in and send it to the DVLA to re-apply for your driving licence. Once the DVLA have received your application they will send you information about a medical examination.

This involves:

• Medical history questionnaire
• Physical examination
• Blood testing for alcohol/drugs
• Providing GP records

This determines if you’re medically fit to drive again. Failing to get the exam means driving without a valid licence if you drive after your ban. The DVLA may also write to your GP to request whether there is anything within your medical records that suggests that you are not fit to drive.

If you return to driving after the disqualification ends and you fall into this category then you are committing an offence of ‘driving otherwise in accordance with a licence’ as above. This will be the offence that carries the endorsement of penalty points on your driving licence.

FAQs

What Happens If You Drive Before the End Of the Disqualification Period?

Driving before your licence is reinstated or while still disqualified can have serious consequences.

Here’s what you need to know:

If your licence was revoked for 56 days or more and you do not reapply before driving again, you are committing an offence under Section 87(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1988. This carries a fine but no penalty points.

If you would not have qualified for automatic reinstatement, driving again also violates Section 87(1). Now you face 3-6 penalty points and a fine.

Driving while still within a disqualification period breaks Section 103 and is a more serious offence. Penalties include:

• 6 points or up to 18 months of additional disqualification
• A fine, community service, or up to 6 months in prison

The penalties are severe. If you’ve been charged with driving without a valid licence or while disqualified, speak to a solicitor immediately. They can advise your legal options and represent you in court. Don’t risk losing your licence – get professional help.

If you have been charged with one of the above offences, then this is something that Caddick Davies Solicitors can help with – Contact our friendly team to discuss your case on 0151 944 4967.

Can I Get My Driving Ban Removed Early?

Yes, in some cases it is possible to apply for early removal of a driving disqualification. Here are the key things to know:

• You can apply to the court that issued your disqualification order.
• Eligibility depends on how long your disqualification period is:
  • 2+ to 4 years – you must serve at least 2 years
  • 4+ to 10 years – you must serve at least half the period
  • 10+ years – you must serve at least 5 years
• The court will consider factors like your conduct since the order, the nature of your offence, and your circumstances.
• It can help to highlight mitigating factors about your offence, your rehabilitation and abstinence from drugs/alcohol, and your need to drive.
• You’ll need to apply in writing and justify why your disqualification should end early.
• The court will schedule a hearing to decide on your application.
• You can’t apply until after meeting the minimum period for your ban length.

Getting legal help can assist with submitting a strong early removal application. If you’ve served the minimum time, it’s possible to get your licence back sooner. If you need assistance with making such an application, then this is something that Caddick Davies Solicitors can help with – Contact our friendly team to discuss your case on 0151 944 4967.

Concluding

If you’ve been banned from driving and wondering if you can Drive on the Day your Disqualification from Driving Ends, there are certain things you need to be aware of.

In summary, in many cases, it is not as simple as returning to driving after a disqualification has ended because you may need to:

1. Re-apply for your driving licence.
2. Undergo medical enquiries to ensure your fitness to drive.
3. Take an extended retest.

Until you ascertain that none of the above criteria apply to you, you should not drive under any circumstances until the appropriate action has been taken.

How Can Caddick Davies Help?

Getting your licence back after a driving ban can be complicated. At Caddick Davies Solicitors, our team of motor defence lawyers can help make the process smooth.

We understand the consequences of driving disqualifications and how important it is to get your licence back legally and safely. That’s why we offer a free consultation to discuss your specific situation.

During our conversation, we can:

• Explain exactly when your disqualification period ends so you don’t risk driving too soon
• Advise if you need to re-apply and meet any requirements before driving again
• Ensure you fully understand the law to avoid unintended offences
• Provide guidance on getting insurance after a ban
• Help with any other questions you have about returning to the road

Our specialist experience means we can give you the right advice to get your licence back and stay legal. Don’t risk complications or further bans – call us at 0151 944 4967 to discuss getting back on the road.

• About
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Neil Davies

Motoring Lawyer at Caddick Davies Solicitors

Caddick Davies is recognised as one of England and Wales’ leading motoring law firms, offering specialist Speeding Solicitors, Drink Driving Solicitors & Dangerous Driving Solicitors.We provide advice and representation on all motoring offences including speeding, the avoidance of disqualification on penalty points or “totting up” (exceptional hardship), driving without due care and attention (careless driving), dangerous driving, drink driving, as well as a range of services related to medical revocation of a driving licence.

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