Penalties of Driving Without a Full Licence

Many people are under the impression that driving without a full licence would carry the same penalties as driving while disqualified but they are separate offences. Around 800,000 drivers in the UK are unlicensed according to an AA survey, and penalty points and fines can be applied if convicted.

Unlicensed Drivers in the UK

One out of every 40 drivers on UK roads is unlicensed according to a survey undertaken by the Automobile Association (AA). This figure includes drivers who have been disqualified, provisional licence holders and motorists who have never held any type of licence. The survey points out that the majority of unlicensed drivers are young males. Many unlicensed drivers are ashamed to admit that they have failed the driving test and will simply begin driving without a licence. But taking to the road without a full driving licence can lead to penalty points, fines and increased insurance premiums.

Rules for Provisional Licence Holders

Drivers cannot learn to drive in the UK without a provisional driving licence. Learner drivers can only drive a motor vehicle if accompanied by a fully licensed adult. The accompanying driver must be over the age of 21. The accompanying driver must also have held a full licence for at least three years. The vehicle must be insured for the learner driver and ‘L’ plates must be displayed when the learner is in control of the vehicle.

Failing to Comply With Licence Conditions

There are terms and conditions that apply to driving licences including provisional driving licences. If a driver breaks the terms and conditions of the licence they will be committing an offence and can be charged. A provisional driver who drives without ‘L’ plates can be charged under a PL10 conviction code, which is Driving Without ‘L’ Plates. The act of driving without the correct ‘L’ plates can be enough to have penalty points applied to a provisional licence. Breaking the conditions of the licence can also lead to fines and a driving disqualification depending on the offence.

Driving Without a Full Licence

Driving without a full licence is an offence and three to six penalty points can be applied. Driving without a full licence comes under the LC10 conviction code. This offence can also lead to a maximum fine of £1000. Courts also have discretionary powers to ban the convicted driver from obtaining a full licence for a specified period of time. If the driver is not entitled to drive the vehicle under the terms and conditions of their licence then this can be an endorsable offence.

Endorsable and Non Endorsable Driving Offences

An endorsable offence means that penalty points will be applied and will appear on a licence for a set period of time. The penalty points can stay on a licence for four or eleven years. It may be the case that driving without a full licence may be a non endorsable driving offence; no points but a period of disqualification. This can happen if the driver has a full licence but it has been suspended by the DVLA without the driver’s knowledge. This would mean the motorist is driving without a full licence but has not yet been notified that their licence has been revoked or suspended.

Driving Without a Full Licence and Insurance

Driving without insurance is viewed as a serious matter and if convicted can lead to six to eight penalty points. This offence can also lead to a fine of up to £5,000. In the view of most insurers a driver who breaks the conditions of their licence, for example driving without a full licence, will also invalidate the vehicle insurance. This means drivers will not only be driving without a full licence but also driving without insurance. Again, the courts do have discretionary powers to ban a driver from obtaining a licence for a set period of time for this offence.

Driving Without a Full Licence and the Consequences

Driving without a full licence may not seem serious to unlicensed drivers but the potential consequences simply aren’t worth the risk. Consequences can include:

• A fine of up to £1000 plus three to six penalty points
• Banned from obtaining a full licence for a set period of time
• A higher fine of up to £5000 if convicted of driving without insurance
• Insurers will impose higher insurance premiums for those with driving convictions, penalty points and/or a disqualification
• Additional expense of legal representation
• Those looking for driving employment may ruin their chances with a driving conviction on their licence

Motorists who have been charged with a driving offence are advised to seek legal advice and representation. The powers of the courts regarding driving offences can vary between countries, and a solicitor will be able to advise on the potential consequences and the best line of defence.