- You may ask the court after 2 years (ban under 4 years), half the ban (4 to under 10 years) or 5 years (10 years or more).
- If the court refuses, you wait 3 months before asking again.
- Bans of 56 days or more mean applying for a new licence, and the court can require a retest.
- A licence obtained by someone who is disqualified is of no effect (Road Traffic Act 1988, s.103).
When you can ask
| Length of ban | Earliest you can apply |
|---|---|
| Fewer than 4 years | After 2 years |
| 4 years to under 10 years | After half the ban |
| 10 years or more | After 5 years |
Those are the thresholds for asking the court that disqualified you, not for DVLA. Bans that come from the totting-up rule are fixed lengths: 6 months for 12 or more points within 3 years, 12 months for a second ban within 3 years, and 2 years for a third. A ban shorter than 2 years has therefore run its course before the earliest application date.
How to apply
- Write to the court that disqualified you. Give the date of the offence, the date of conviction and any other supporting information.
- State a good reason. GOV.UK's examples are a legal error in the case, or mitigating circumstances the court overlooked.
- Wait for the decision. If the court reduces the period, it tells DVLA.
- Reapply for the licence: form D1 for a car or motorcycle, form D2 for a lorry or bus, each from a Post Office or DVLA's form ordering service.
- If refused, leave 3 months before asking again.
Getting the licence back
For bans lasting 56 days or more, GOV.UK says you must apply for a new licence before driving again, and the court may require you to retake your driving test or take an extended test. For bans under 56 days you do not need to apply, and the end date is on your online driving record. The fee for the new licence depends on the reason for the ban:
| Reinstatement | Fee |
|---|---|
| Disqualification, general | £65 |
| Drink driving, with medical exam | £90 |
| Drink driving, no exam | £65 |
| New Drivers Act revocation | £50 |
What the law says about the shortcut
Section 103 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 makes it an offence, while disqualified, to obtain a licence or to drive a motor vehicle on a road, and says a licence obtained that way is of no effect. A bought licence therefore does not even work as a document. We did not open the penalty provisions for that offence, so we quote no sentence for it. Separately, the Fraud Act 2006 sets a ceiling of 10 years on indictment for fraud, which covers false representations. Anyone offering to delete a ban from DVLA records is outside the route above; see driving ban removal scams.
A ban also follows you to Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man under mutual recognition, according to GOV.UK, so it cannot be dodged by switching issuing area.
Frequently asked questions
When can I ask to shorten a driving ban?
After 2 years for bans under 4 years, after half the ban for 4 to under 10 years, or after 5 years for bans of 10 years or more, according to GOV.UK.
How do I apply to reduce a ban?
Write to the court that disqualified you with the offence date, conviction date and any supporting information, and give a good reason. The court tells DVLA if it agrees.
Can I reapply if the court says no?
Not for 3 months, according to GOV.UK. Use the wait to strengthen the reason you give.
Will I have to retake my test after a ban?
For bans of 56 days or more the court may require you to retake your driving test or take an extended test. For shorter bans no new licence application is needed.
Does an HGV or bus licence survive a ban?
GOV.UK says you automatically lose a lorry or bus licence if you lose your car licence. After a ban you reapply for it on form D2.