June 21, 2016

How to Instantly Get Banned from Driving

Most of us are aware of what can get us points on our licence – but when it comes to instant bans, do you really know what could land you with one? If not, take a look and see what could disqualify you immediately so you can avoid a driving ban.
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Most of us are aware of what can get us points on our licence – but when it comes to instant bans, do you really know what could land you with one? If not, take a look below to see what could disqualify you immediately so you can avoid a driving ban.

To first cover the basics, there are different types of driving bans, including:

Discretionary Driving Bans

This type of ban is at the discretion of the judge, where they feel penalty points or a fine would not suffice in a specific case. This type of ban is not the same as a mandatory driving ban, and depends on a variety of influencers considered by the judge, including the driver’s past driving record and the likelihood of repeat offences. An example of what could lead to a discretionary driving ban would be driving without a proper licence.

Mandatory Driving Bans

This type of ban is more serious, deemed instantly too severe for just penalty points/fines. Offences that would necessitate a mandatory driving ban include dangerous driving, causing death by dangerous driving, drink or drug driving or failing to provide a specimen on request. We will be exploring these further below…

Dangerous Driving

We’ve all heard the phrase, but what exactly is classified as ‘dangerous driving’? It’s actually a term that covers a variety of dangerous manoeuvres and actions (or lack of) undertaken behind the wheel that can get you an instant, mandatory ban, including:

  • Driving recklessly – racing or driving too fast
  • Driving whilst under the influence of drink, drugs or prescription drugs
  • Overtaking dangerously
  • Driving when unfit to do so (for example being tired, injured or not being able to see clearly)
  • Driving whilst hazardously distracted (for example by using a mobile phone, reading, conversing with a passenger etc.)
  • Driving a vehicle whilst knowing that there is a severe fault or unsafe weight that compromises the safety of the car
  • Not paying attention/ignoring road signs, traffic lights etc.

Causing Death by Dangerous Driving

It goes without saying that causing death by dangerous driving will get you a mandatory ban, instantly losing your licence for a minimum of two years.

Drink and Drug Driving

If you are found to be over the drink drive limit (35mg per 100ml breath/80mg of alcohol in 100ml blood/107mg of alcohol in 100ml urine) and also attempting to drive, or driving the car you can get an instant mandatory ban for up to 12 months (if 1st offence) or 3 years minimum (if 2nd offence within 10 years).

When it comes to drugs, if you are deemed unfit to drive through the use of drugs or have a certain level of illegal drugs in your blood and are convicted, you can get a minimum ban of one year. When it comes to prescription drugs it is still illegal to drive with certain levels of them in your system if you haven’t been prescribed them or if you are unfit to drive through using them.

Failure to Provide a Specimen

If you refuse to provide a specimen of breath, blood or urine you can be banned for driving for up to 12 months.

To find out more information about specific convictions, visit our conviction codes page. If you’ve just got your licence back after receiving a ban, Keith Michaels can help with our competitive convicted driver insurance, so give us a call today on 0800 542 2141.