Few drivers will simply get into a car with no licence and without having passed a driving test. However, there are other ways in which you may find yourself being investigated or charged with the offence of driving without a licence.  Rules and requirements surrounding vehicle licensing can be surprisingly complex, and at Qamar Solicitors our criminal defence lawyers provide expert legal advice, carefully examining all the details of your case, helping to build an effective defence.

 

Driving without a licence offences

 

Driving without the correct licence

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You are far more likely to be accused of driving without the correct licence than to be driving without a licence at all.  However, the charge remains of ‘driving without a licence’.

It is important to understand which licence you have, and what rights it gives you. For example, if you have a conventional driving licence for an ordinary car, you do not have the licence to drive a Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) and could be prosecuted for driving without a licence.

 

Licences to drive certain categories of vehicle – such as motorbikes, buses and coaches, or other large vehicles – will contain special requirements and entitlements particular to the vehicle in question. For example, the training required to drive a motorbike will be markedly different from that required to drive a bus or coach, and consequently the licences are quite separate. If you wish to drive a large commercial vehicle as a one-off, you cannot use your ordinary drivers’ licence: you will need to ensure you have the correct licence for that vehicle.

 

Learner drivers

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While you are still learning to drive (i.e. before you have passed your drivers’ test) you will have a provisional licence. Under the terms of the provisional licence you must ensure that you display ‘L’ plates on your vehicle, and that you are accompanied by a passenger who has held a full driving licence for three years or more, and is at least 21 years of age. Failure to meet these two requirements at any time while driving with a provisional licence is against the law, and you can be charged with driving without a licence.

 

Sentencing

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Driving without a licence may seem a fairly minor offence which relates only to the correct paperwork.  However, the law treats it seriously in order to protect you, your fellow drivers, and pedestrians.  On conviction, you can receive 3-6 penalty points and a maximum fine of £1000, and possibly a driving ban for a set period.

 

How can we help?

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The expert criminal defence lawyers at Qamar Solicitor have a great of experience in handling all kinds of motoring offences, including driving without a valid licence. If you believe you have been wrongly accused of driving without a licence you need to be confident that you receive expert, incisive legal advice that takes into account all the issues. Contact us as soon as possible, so that we can begin to look at every aspect of your case, and put together a robust defence.