The New Drivers Act

The new drivers act affects drivers that passed their driving test on or after 1st June 1997. If you get 6 or more penalty points on your licence within two years of passing your driving test the DVLA will revoke your driving licence.

To regain your full licence you must:

· Get your provisional licence again.

· Pass the theory and practical test again.

Points counting towards the total of 6 include any you received up to 3 years before your latest penalty point offence. Points imposed after the 2 year period will also count if the offence was committed during that period. Passing the retest does not remove penalty points from your licence, and if your total points reaches 12, you are still liable to be disqualified. (Just like everyone else!)

Drink Driving ,The Facts.

 

3,000 people on average, are killed or seriously injured

each year in drink related collisions.

Nearly 1 in 6 road accident deaths involve drivers

over the legal alcohol limit.

The majority of drink drive incidents and positive breath tests

occur within the 17 to 29 age group.

The legal limit in the UK at present is 80 milligram's of

alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

The only safe way to stay under the limit if you intend to drive,

 is not to drink alcohol, as there is no failsafe guide to

stay under the legal limit. It can depend on type of drink,

your weight, sex, height and metabolism.

Your reaction time and judgement are impaired when you

drink alcohol.

People who drive at twice the legal limit are 50 times more likely

to be involved in a fatal car crash.

Over half a million breath tests are carried out each year with

on average 100,000 test being found positive.

You may still be over the limit the morning after even though

you feel ok, and you could still lose your licence

if found To be over the limit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

External Links

MEDICAL CONDITIONS AND YOUR LICENCE.

 

You must inform the DVLA if you have ever had or currently suffer from a medical condition that may affect your ability to drive.

If you have a condition which has become worse since your licence was issued or you develop a new condition, you must inform the

 DVLA of your condition, as it may affect your fitness to drive.

Failure to inform the DVLA of any medical condition is a criminal

offence and is punishable by a fine.

 

For full details visit the DVLA web site via the external link box above.

FOREIGN LICENCES.

 

If you hold a valid Community and you are visiting the UK, you can drive any vehicle that your licence is valid for as long as your licence remains valid. The appropriate full entitlement for the vehicle you wish to drive must be shown on your licence.

If you wish to become a UK resident then you will have to apply for a British licence.

If you hold a full driving licence issued outside the EEA it may be possible to exchange it for an equivalent British one.

If you cannot exchange your foreign licence you will have to apply for a British provisional licence and take a theory and Practical test.

 

For further information visit the DVLA web site via the external link box above.

PROVISIONAL LICENCES.

 

Normally, the earliest date your provisional licence becomes valid is on your 17th Birthday.

You can apply for a provisional licence up to 3 months before your 17th Birthday.

You can take your theory test once your provisional

licence becomes valid.

If you are receiving DISABILITY LIVING ALLOWANCE

 at a higher rate,

 you can apply for a valid provisional licence within 3 months of your 16th Birthday and becomes valid

when you are 16 years old.

 

For further information visit the DVLA web site via the external link above.

 

You cannot get rid of the alcohol any faster

from your body by drinking coffee etc. It won’t help.

Driving or attempting to drive whilst over the limit

carries a maximum penalty of 6 months imprisonment,

 a fine of up to £5000 and a minimum

12 months driving ban.

An endorsement for a drinking offence remains

on your licence for 11 years.

Being in charge of a vehicle whilst over the limit

could result in 3 months imprisonment plus a fine

of up to £2500 and a driving ban.

The penalty for refusing to provide a specimen

of breath, blood or urine for analysis is a

maximum 6 months imprisonment,

up to £5000 fine and a driving ban of at least 12 months.

Causing death by careless driving whilst under

the influence of drink or drugs carries a maximum

penalty of 14 years in prison,

 a minimum 2 year driving ban and a requirement

to pass an extended driving test before being

aloud to drive legally again.