DVLA warning over driving licence rules that could see you BANNED from the road

THE DVLA has warned drivers there are a number of rules to comply with as they wait for their licence to be renewed.

Motorists can stay on the road if they have applied to renew their licence but it has expired during the process under Section 88 of The Road Traffic Act 1988.

But if a doctor has told you to stop driving due to a medical condition, or you have sent an incorrect or incomplete application to the DVLA, and you continue to drive, then it runs the risk of a ban.

Motorists can only get behind the wheel after the DVLA receives the correct and complete application for a new licence and as long as drivers meet all Section 88 criteria.

You must be satisfied that the medical condition you have declared on your application do not stop you from driving.

If you are unsure, check with your doctor before you make a decision.

You can also look up your condition in the ‘Assessing fitness to drive’ guide.

The Section 88 provision only applies to UK legislation, it may not be accepted in other countries.

It is best to check with the relevant licensing authority before you travel.

Section 88 of The Road Traffic Act 1988 may allow you to continue driving even if your old licence has expired while you are waiting for a new one.

However, you must comply with all the stipulations otherwise you could be banned from the road.

• Your doctor must have told you that you are fit to drive. If your doctor is unsure about how a medical condition affects driving, they should refer to ‘Assessing fitness to drive – a guide for medical professionals’ atwww.gov.uk/dvla/fitnesstodrive
• You have held a valid driving licence and only drive vehicles you have applied for on your current application and were entitled to drive on your previous licence.
• If you hold a Group 2 (bus or lorry) licence, your entitlement has not been suspended, revoked or refused by a traffic commissioner.
• You meet any conditions that were specified on your previous licence that still apply.
• DVLA has received your correct and complete application within the last 12 months.
• Your last licence was not revoked or refused for medical reasons.
• You are not currently disqualified from driving by a court.
• You were not disqualified as a high-risk offender on or after 1 June 2013 (a high risk offender is a driver convicted of a serious drink driving offence).