If your driver’s licence has been suspended because you accumulated two or more demerit points whilst subject to a good behaviour driving period, or, you have been convicted of driving more than 40 km/h over the speed limit, you may be eligible to apply for a Special Hardship Order.
There are various criteria you must meet in order to be eligible for a Special Hardship Order and you must be able to demonstrate to the Court that refusal to grant you a Special Hardship Order would cause extreme hardship to you or your family by depriving you of your means of earning a living, or cause you or your family severe and unusual hardship for any other legitimate reason.
If you have committed a drink or drug driving offence which carries a mandatory loss of licence, you may be eligible to apply for a restricted licence, permitting you to drive subject to specified limitations. There are various criteria you must meet in order to be eligible for a restricted licence and you must be able to satisfy the Court that you are a “fit and proper person” to hold a restricted licence, having regard to the safety of other road users.
Certain offences of a more serious nature carry mandatory licence disqualification periods and there is no avenue for a licence to be held whatsoever during the disqualification period.
We strongly suggest that you contact a Solicitor to make further enquiries into your eligibility to apply for a Special Hardship Order or a Restricted Licence, in the event that you ever find yourself in a situation where you are looking at losing your driver’s licence.