Applying for the return of your licence

There are two situations in which you may wish to apply for the return of your licence:

• where you wish to have your licence returned prior to the end of the disqualification; and
• when your period of disqualification has come to an end.

Applying for an early return of your licence

Where you have been disqualified it is possible to apply for the early return of your licence. keepmedrivingwill be happy to advise you in relation to this

Normally, an application can be made only where there was no order that you pass an extended re-test before having your licence returned. The application can be made where at least:

• 2 years have been served of a disqualification for 4 years or less; or
• half of the disqualification has been served in relation to disqualifications of between 4 and 10 years; or
• 5 years has been served of a disqualification of more than 10 years.

In all cases the court will look at each case on its own merits. If you want to make such an application, then complete the appropriate online information form which you will find in the Getting Help section, request a free, no obligation call-back using the call-back form to the right or phone us during office hours on 084 4804 4804

Disqualification period ended

When your period of disqualification has come to an end you can reapply to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) for your licence to be reinstated. You will need to fill out the correct forms to do this. These will either be sent to you 56 days before your disqualification ends or, if the form is not received or you lose the form, you can use a D1 application form which you can obtain from the DVLA’s website or from your local post office.

If you hold a photocard driving licence you will need to complete a D27P application form which should be submitted 56 days before the end of disqualification period. This must sent together with the appropriate fee. Unless there is a need for a new photograph you will not need to enclose any identification or photograph with the form.

If, however, you hold a paper driving licence then you will need to submit not only the D27P form and fee but also documentation to confirm your identity and a passport style photograph. If you wish you may use the premium checking service whihc the Post Office provide, rather than simply posting the papwers to the DVLA.

If you have changed your name since the issue of your last licence then you will need to complete both a D1 application form and the D27 and in addition to the forms and the fee you will need to send original documentation confirming your change of name.

DVLA aim to deliver your driving licence to you within three weeks of receiving your application – slightly longer if personal or health details need to be checked. Health checks will be necessary if, for example, you were disqulaiifed for some alcohol related offences.

In certain circumstances, depending on the nature of the disqualification, you may need to re-take your driving test. If this is the case you can apply for a provisional driver’s licence until such time as the test is retaken, but this will be subject to the same limitations as any provisional licence and the licence itself will show any endorsements you have received.

If you require further information about this you can obtain this from the DVLA’s website or by contacting them direct on 0870 240 0009.