My driving ban questions?

[mikebidd]

I was banned in december for totting up and thinking my "motor trade" insurance covered me on anything until i got pulled and the vehicle was an import which meant i wasnt covered!

Any way whilst waiting my turn too go into court there was right grotty chavs going in with No license No mot No insurane No tax and getting 100 fine and 3 month ban. So i thought id walk it. my turn comes i said i worked etc My punishment £1500 fine and a 9 month ban!!!!!!!!!!!!

You know that advert where the bloke looses his license and he goes all deppressed looses hi job etc IT really is like that.

Any way now things are getting a little better for me i could really do with my license as it would enable me too work alot easier.

Does any one know if i can have the ban shortened?????
I know its a long shot BUT beteen you lot theres not alot you dont know aboout

 

[White Room]

I've got a mate that has trade insurance which costs him £700 a year and he explained that he could drive anything, what difference does an import vehicle make ????

 

[mikebidd]

It was in the small print on mine mate. Imports are twice as hard to insure as a "uk spec" motor mate. Most imports are group 20 insurance even if the "uk" version is only a group 14.

But i dont know why i dont think any traders covers imports unless you specifically ask for it

 

[Olz]

The courts come down hard on people with traders policys, arent you only supposed to be using them if your selling the car, or a mechanic working on it etc.

I think that they get alot of people using their mates, dads, brothers, dogs, uncles policy to drive what ever they like for nothing to do with the motor trade.

Edit: Not that im saying thats what you were doing mate!!

 

[White Room]

The only thing I can think of would be to appeal with a solicitor or have a chat with one before spending any serious money

 

[mikebidd]

I got mine as when i was buying cars i was travelling all over the country for them twice a week or more.
Also my personal car would have cost 3400 or get traders £650 and add it too that (for free)

If you own a car for longer than 10 days you hve too ring them and notify them so they can add it too your policy.

 

[DHTiling]

How long have you left on the ban..?

 

[mikebidd]

August 18th mate,

 

[SandyFloor]

That definitely sounds like a harsh fine. I got to 12 points about 7 years ago ( 9 points in 1 weekend A66). I hired a lawyer from Penrith to handle my case. I kept my license and got a £275 fine. Lawyer cost about £400 but it was worth it. I know what you mean by the 'characters' you see there who seem to treat court appearances as a lifestyle. Really miserable experience. Mind you I've been the model driver ever since.

The only suggestion I can make is to call a lawyer and inquire. That shouldn't even cost you anything. Would reckon it's the kind of thing that needs to be dealt with at the time but I'm not a lawyer.

 

[Olz]

You can appeal again the sentence if you want, you have 21 days to lodge the appeal and the sentence will be considered by the crown court, who my either decide themselves or tell the magistrates to re consider, in which case either can keep it the same, decrease it or increase it.

A quick google suggested that the penalty for no insurance is 6 points, did you already have some points or did you get more for something else as well, if the minimum for no insurance is 6 and you already had enough for the 6 to take you over the maximum for a ban i would think you pretty much flogging a dead horse. If however you got 9 for no insurance, and already had three so got banned you might get them reduced to 6 avoiding the ban if you see what i mean.

And im not sure you get legal aid for traffic stuff either so you might have to pay for a solicitor if you plan to use one.

The only other way to avoid the ban is if it will cause undue hardship, though youd have to show you were basically absolutley and properly down and out without your licence.

 

[DHTiling]

That should stand better as it is nearly up... go see a solicitor and see if you can get it over turned due to work purposes.

 

[mikebidd]

Do they cost to talk too mate?

 

[White Room]

The information might be priceless

 

[DHTiling]

Most do an initial first consultation for free... also ask CAB if they can help..

 

[Olz]

I've just read your first post properly, if you got banned in december its waaaaaaayyyy to late to try and appeal now, you only get 21 days.