I was caught driving while disqualified.

What the Law Says

The Road Traffic Act 1961 makes it illegal to drive while disqualified — whether the disqualification was imposed by a court, arose automatically from penalty points, or resulted from a previous conviction.

Section 38 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 creates the offence of driving while disqualified. It applies whether the disqualification was imposed by a court order, took effect automatically under the penalty points system, or resulted from a previous road traffic conviction.

The law treats this as a serious offence because it undermines court orders and public safety. Conviction leads to mandatory further disqualification — at least two years — in addition to other penalties.

The court must impose a new disqualification period of not less than two years, unless it gives written reasons for not doing so. This is automatic on conviction, regardless of the original disqualification length.

Statutory Text

A person who, while disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence, drives a motor vehicle on a road shall be guilty of an offence.

— Road Traffic Act 1961, s. 38 — Driving while disqualified

What to Do

Sources