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A driving ban is indeed a serious legal consequence in Ireland that can significantly reduce your ability to work, travel, and maintain independence. However, the good news is that you can appeal to the District court to get your driving license back with a thorough legal procedure.
But let us warn you, going straight to the District court to make an appeal is not going to be very fruitful. You have to have a clear understanding of the legislation to reinstate your licence in the shortest time possible.
That’s what we are aiming for with this article as well. So, let’s start by finding out the legal implications of getting your driving licence back after a ban in Ireland.
For a Temporary six-month driving ban, you simply have to wait till the ban is over. That means you can apply for your valid driving licence after six months.
As for disqualifications, you have to serve at least two years, given that the ban order was for four years (typically so). However, if the court disqualifies you for 10 years, you have to let half the time pass away before making an appearance at the District Court to apply for a driving licence.
And, your application will only be considered if you made such offence only once in the last ten years.
To apply for licence reinstatement after a ban:
If your disqualification involved medical reasons, you may need clearance from a medical professional stating you are fit to drive yourself.
If you have life-long medical conditions like epilepsy, severe heart conditions, and visual impairments, you will have to face court disqualification. But not all medical conditions are permanent. In such cases, there’s no reason for you not to get your licence reinstated.
Here’s what you can do to regain a license after a medical-related ban:
Provide evidence from a healthcare provider that your condition has improved. Don’t hesitate to undergo any required medical assessment conducted by authorized professionals.
You simply can not drive. If your ban period is over long ago and you forgot to reapply for licence, you have to find other ways of transportation until you get your licence back. In Ireland, if you are found driving yourself without having a valid licence, it could lead to imprisonment.
After a driving suspension, insurers start categorizing you as a “high-risk” customer. Some might not even be interested in giving you a quote at all. Depending on the severity of your driving offense (dangerous or drunk driving), your insurance premium can rise up to 50%.
It is going to be tougher than before, of course. After reinstating your licence, we suggest you shop around for an insurance policy with the best coverage as well as premium rate.
To increase your eligibility for a reasonable premium payout, you can consider enrolling in safe-driving programs or courses that demonstrate your improved behavior. This may help reduce premiums over time.
You must serve the full disqualification period. You cannot drive during this time under any circumstances.
Surrender your license to the NDLS or court at the start of your disqualification.
Once your ban ends, you can apply to have your licence restored through the NDLS website or in person. If your license expired during the ban, you’ll need to apply for a renewal.
If your ban was for a drink-driving or drug-driving offense, you may need to undergo assessments before reapplying.
Note: You must get your vehicle insured (if it expired) before starting to drive again.
According to the Road Safety Authority or RSA, these are the basic traffic rules you need to follow to avoid future bans:
Note: Do not ignore fixed charge notices from the authority. Compliance with all the rules of a provisional disqualification is the best way to avoid another crime.
Regaining your driving license after a ban involves navigating a lot of legal requirements, as well as fulfilling specific conditions. To ensure you are getting your license back as quickly as possible without extra hassle, it’s wise to consult professionals in the field.