What can I do about my ban?
If you feel aggrieved by a conviction in the Magistrates’ Court you do have the option of lodging an appeal which would be heard in the Crown Court. Expert legal advice is available – companies like drinkdrivesolicior.com, for example, can help.
I’ve just been convicted, how long do I have to lodge an appeal?
There is a 21 day period from the date of the decision being appealed against within which can only be extended with the permission of the Crown Court .
If I’m appealing, can I drive while waiting for the result?
You may be able to get your disqualification suspended until the appeal has been heard if you apply as soon as possible to the Magistrates’ Court or Crown Court.
How can I appeal?
Your appeal against the conviction/sentence or both.
If I win the appeal, do I get my costs back?
When an appeal is successful an order for some of the costs to be reimbursed is normally made. Unfortunately, following a relatively recent change in the law, costs are paid back at legal aid rates which are much lower than what most privately engaged solicitors charge so you can only expect to receive a small proportion of your costs back (some solicitors will also charge for preparing your claim for costs).
I didn’t realise that the original hearing meant I could face a driving ban, so I didn’t get legal help. What do I do?
Failing to engage legal help and advice in the first place isn’t enough of a reason to alter a court’s decision, and your case won’t be reheard simply because you now have a lawyer. Your best bet is to get advice as soon as possible and if it looks like you have good grounds for getting your conviction quashed or your sentence reduced, then you can make an appeal.
I’ve turned my life around since my conviction and I’d like to get my licence back; is this possible?
You can actually apply for your licence to be reinstated, but only after two years of the disqualification has passed. If your ban was for 5 years or more, you need to have served half of it to apply for a reduction of your disqualification.