Driving Whilst Disqualified / Driving on a Ban

Am I likely to get caught if I drive whilst disqualified?

Yes! The chances of being caught are greater now than ever before thanks to the array of equipment available to the Police. The most powerful tool the Police have is the Automatic Vehicle Registration Recognition System that is fitted to the majority of Police cars and is also being installed on numerous static sites throughout the country. In simple terms, a camera fitted to the Police car or elsewhere, scans the registration number of any vehicle in its field and then, via the DVLA database, establishes whether that car is taxed, insured, MOT'd and to whom it is registered. If there is any concern as to the legality of the vehicle, a message is automatically sent to the Police who will then stop the vehicle.

Consequently, it does not matter how carefully you drive, the Police will still stop the vehicle so the prospects of getting away with driving whilst disqualified are too low to justify the risk.

If you take on board the consequences by way of the punishments available to the Court, it soon becomes clear that there is no point taking the chance.

What happens if I do get caught driving on a ban?

Driving whilst disqualified is an arrestable offence so it won't be a case of a stern ticking off at the side of the road. Offenders will be arrested immediately and then processed via the Police system which can be an alarming experience for those unfamiliar with the process of being taken back to the Police station in handcuffs, finger printed, DNA tested, searched, photographed and then held in a cell prior to a taped interview being undertaken.

If you are fortunate, you will then be bailed to attend Court. If however the custody sergeant decides that there is a risk of you committing any further offence, he can refuse bail and you can be held at the Police station until the prison van arrives to take you to Court along with other prisoners who have committed "real" crimes.

What is the maximum punishment for driving whilst disqualified?

There is a wide variety of options available. A prison sentence is a very real possibility, particularly if the Court feels that by driving you have shown disrespect to the Court that imposed the original suspension. If the Court decides to impose a prison sentence, that will have an immediate effect. Alternatively, the Court can adjourn the case in order to obtain pre–sentencing reports from the probation service but can still impose a prison sentence as and when the report is received.

If you are fortunate enough to avoid prison, then expect either a community service or curfew order to be imposed, together with a fine and for the period of disqualification to be extended.

What is the minimum punishment for driving whilst banned?

The Court guidelines are that there should be at least a further disqualification and a fine. In exceptional circumstances, a further ban can be avoided but there will be a fine.

Is there anything that can be done to reduce the penalty?

Yes. Although the Court will regard the matter as a very serious offence, with the correct preparation and representation, there are various ways to persuade the Court to adopt a more sympathetic approach. Each case is decided on its merits but if you are intending to convince the Court that leniency should be applied, it would be prudent to obtain detailed legal advice as soon as you can, although the nature of the offence means that this will often be only a few days in advance of the hearing.

One of the major difficulties you face is that it is very difficult to commit the offence by mistake. Accordingly, the Court will proceed on the basis that anyone who drives whilst disqualified has chosen that option whilst fully aware of the consequences.