When would you get disqualified from driving?

Did you know that driving bans are common? No Penalty Points estimates that a quarter of a million people are banned from driving in the UK every year.
 
Disqualifications – otherwise known as driving bans – can be handed out for a range of offences, and the period the ban lasts varies depending on how serious the case is.
 
Drivers who have been disqualified can face several challenges – arranging competitively priced insurance being one of them. This is where drivers need the Insurance Factory, which specialises in convicted driver insurance.
 
Policies can cover a range of motoring and non-motoring offences, whether you were banned from driving or just received a fine and/or points on your licence.

What makes us different is that we don’t tarr all drivers with the same brush – we’ll consider your individual circumstances before finding a policy to suit you.
 
We strive to be as competitive as possible with pricing, helping to get you back behind the wheel with as little hassle as possible.
 

Why might drivers be disqualified?

As the Gov.UK website explains, drivers can be banned from driving for two reasons, the first of which is if they are convicted of a driving offence.

They can also be disqualified if they build up 12 or more penalty points (also called endorsements) within a three-year period – this is sometimes called a ‘totting up’ disqualification.
 
If you’re disqualified from driving, then you’ll receive a summons in the post which will tell you to go to court. The court is responsible for deciding how long your ban will last, based on how serious they think your case is.
 
You can be disqualified from driving if you already have 12 or more points on your driving licence and your ban could last:
 
  • Six months, if you receive 12 or more points within three years
  • 12 months, if you get a second disqualification within three years
  • Two years, if you receive a third disqualification within three years
 
If the ban is less than 56 days, then you don’t need to apply for a new driving licence before you’re able to drive again. But if it’s over the 56-day threshold, then you will have to get a new licence before you can get back on the road.

You may also need to retake your driving test or an extended test before getting your full licence. The court hearing your case will tell you what you need to do.
 
The rules are a little different for new drivers; they will have their licence cancelled if they build up six or more within two years of passing their test. If this happens, then they will need to apply and pay for their practical and theory tests again.
A man sitting in his car with his hands on his head after being pulled over

Common offences that could lead to a disqualification

As we mentioned, certain types of motoring offence could see you being banned from driving.

These tend to be more serious offences, but of course, even a minor offence could result in a driving ban if it means you have more than 12 points on your licence (or six for new drivers). Here are four of the most common offences that could result in a driving ban.
 

Speeding

Speeding is the most common driving offence in the UK, which might not come as any surprise. If you’re caught, the minimum penalty is £100 as well as three penalty points added to your driving licence.
 
Though, the more severe the case, the tougher those penalties will be. You might be disqualified if you were caught driving significantly over the speed limit, putting your safety at risk as well as your passengers and other road users.
 
You could be stopped by the police for speeding, or you might be caught by a speed camera. You could receive a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) or be ordered to go to court, where the court could decide to ban you from driving.
 

Drink-driving

Drink-driving is a serious offence and is likely to lead to a driving disqualification. You can also be fined or sent to prison.
 
In some cases, a drink-driving offence could lead you to becoming what’s known as a ‘high risk offender’ – for instance, if you commit to drink-driving offences in the space of 10 years.

High risk offenders are required to pass a medical examination with one of DVLA’s appointed doctors before they can get a new licence.
A view from the inside of a car as the road and lights in front are blurred indicating intoxication

Drug-driving

Drug-driving is another offence that could lead to a driving disqualification. The consequences are like those if you’re caught under the influence of alcohol – you could face a hefty fine as well as a prison sentence.
 

Using a mobile phone at the wheel

The only times you can use a handheld phone when you’re in the driving seat is when you’re safely parked or you need to call 999 or 112 due to an emergency and it’s impractical or not safe to stop.

Use a phone at any other time and you could get six penalty points as well as a £200 fine if you’re caught.
 
You might also be sent to court, where they might decide to ban you from driving. You’ll lose your licence straight away if you passed your test within the last two years.
 

Convicted driver insurance from the Insurance Factory

If you’re looking to get back on the road after committing a driving offence or being disqualified, we can help.
 
The Insurance Factory specialises in convicted driver insurance. We arrange policies that have all the same benefits as standard cover, for a price that won’t break the bank.

We can consider a wide range of convictions – from driving without insurance to speeding and reckless driving – as well as non-motoring offences.
 
We’ve got over 20 years of experience and access to a panel of specialist providers. Cover with excellent benefits is still possible with a policy arranged by the Insurance Factory, so get a quick quote today.

Policy benefits, features and discounts offered may very between insurance schemes or cover selected and are subject to underwriting criteria. Information contained within this article is accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.