Driving without a licence

You can be charged with driving without a licence if:

• Your licence has expired
• You do not have the correct entitlement to drive the vehicle
• You are a provisional licence holder driving unsupervised or without L plates
• You do not have a licence at all

Full licences

A full licence allows a person who has passed their driving test to drive vehicles in a particular group. Group 1 includes specified smaller or slower vehicles categorised on the driving licence; Group 2 covers the remaining categories, including medium and large goods vehicles and all passenger-carrying vehicles.

Provisional licences

A provisional licence allows a person to drive while supervised by a qualified driver, pending their theory and practical tests. The supervising driver must be at least 21 and have held a full licence for at least 3 years, and the vehicle must display learner plates.

The penalties

• A fine of up to £1,000
• 3 to 6 points or a discretionary disqualification
• The offence is non-endorsable where a fully licensed driver has simply lost or misplaced their licence

A person is classed as a new driver for two years after passing their test — and if you are a new driver, points for this offence can put your licence at risk of revocation.

• If you have a defence
• If you are unsure whether the elements of the offence are made out
• If there are special reasons not to endorse your licence or disqualify you from driving
• If you do not know what the sentencing guidelines are, or do not think you should be dealt with in accordance with them
• If you want a solicitor to make representations on your behalf, or do not want to represent yourself in court
• If you want to try and persuade the court to impose fewer points than the guidelines suggest
• If you would prefer points rather than a discretionary disqualification — or the other way round
• If you are at risk of a penalty points (totting up) disqualification