In order to be in charge of a motor vehicle in the United Kingdom, a driver must be in possession of a valid license which has been issued to them specifically by the DVLA. It is a criminal offence to drive a vehicle without a valid licence on public roads. The licence that is held must also be appropriate for the vehicle which is being driven.
Driving without a license can be classified in a number of different ways. Offences include driving without any license at all, driving with a license which has been revoked for any reason (e.g. on medical grounds) or driving whilst only in possession of a provisional licence and without the required supervision. When supervising a driver who only has a provisional license, the supervisor must be over the age of 21 and have at least 3 years of driving experience.
When driving a vehicle without a full driving license, the vehicle must be equipped with “L” plates to denote that the vehicle is being controlled by a learner. Failing to meet these criteria can lead to a conviction.
Penalties for Driving without a Licence in the United Kingdom
The penalty for driving without a licence is variable, depending on the nature of the offence. Standard penalties normally involve between 3-6 penalty points being applied to a license and fine of up to £1,000. Offenders may also be banned from obtaining a full license for a limited period of time. Those who receive this type of driving conviction may also find that their insurance premiums rise.
Convictions for Driving without a License
You should only suffer the consequences of driving without a licence if you are convicted of the offence. Alleged offenders are able to challenge potential sanctions if a case is made against them.
If you have been accused of driving without a valid license, then a legal professional may be able to help you to fight the conviction. Alternatively, they may be able to help you to argue that special circumstances should lead to a reduction in any sanctions which are going to be levelled against you.
