Motoring Offences

In this day and age no one can afford to be without a driving licence in terms of safeguarding their employment. It is even more vital to the self-employed and their employees, who may lose their livelihood along with their driving licence.

The majority of Road Traffic related offences carry obligatory endorsement by way of penalty points. Examples include:

• speeding - 3 to 6 points
• driving without due care and attention - 3 to 9 points.

• 6 months if no previous disqualification is to be taken into account
• 1 year if 1 previous disqualification is to be taken into account
• 2 years if there is more than 1 such disqualification

Should you become liable to disqualification under this procedure we at Stevens can help. We can explore with you the possible existence of grounds for lessening the normal consequences of conviction and if the Court finds such grounds it may reduce the minimum period to which you are liable, or it may decide not to disqualify. In either event, a Court must state its reasons which will be recorded. However, the Court's discretion is limited. It may not take into account:

• Any circumstances which are alleged to make the offence not a serious offence
• The fact that the disqualification would cause hardship (but it may take account of exceptional hardship e.g. The knock-on effect upon those dependent on you of keeping your licence, such as your employees if you are a small business employer)
• Any circumstances which have already been taken into account during the previous 3 years so as to avoid or reduce disqualification

If any of the above matters are affecting you, the chances are we can help. Just contact us.