If you flout the rules of the road, don't be surprised to receive a less-than-welcome letter in your postbox. But whatever you do, don't ignore it. Drivers who rack up 12 or more penalty points on their licence within a three-year span can expect a court summons delivered straight to their door. This official document will require the motorist to appear in court on a specified date, where they're likely to face a driving ban of at least six months.
The severity of the disqualification could escalate, with the ban stretching to 12 months if it's the driver's second disqualification within three years, and a further two-year ban for a third offence within the same period. If you find yourself disqualified for 56 days or more, you'll need to apply for a new driving licence. In this scenario, you may also have to retake your driving test or take an extended driving test, though the court will inform you if this is necessary. The DVLA will send out a reminder notice 56 days before your disqualification ends, which you can use to apply for a new provisional driving licence.
Alternatively, you can use a D1 form for car and motorcycle licences or a D2 form for lorry and bus licences. More information on how to reapply for a driving licence following a disqualification can be found on the GOV.UK website. If your disqualification period is less than 56 days, there's no need to retake your driving test or reapply for a new licence. However, you can only resume driving once your disqualification period has concluded.
If you're disqualified due to an offence related to driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the consequences could be far more severe than just a driving ban. Depending on the offence, the court may impose a hefty fine or even a prison sentence. This could range from up to six months imprisonment for drink-driving, alongside an unlimited fine, to life imprisonment if the offence involved causing death by careless driving while under the influence. You may also be classified as a 'high risk offender', which means you won't be able to apply for a new licence until you can demonstrate through a medical examination with a DVLA-appointed doctor that you're fit to drive again.
