ZZTopWereHere
Well Known Member
Hi all,
I've already looked at several threads here and my case covers multiple areas that do not seem to be already covered by any individual thread.
I hold a EU driving licence, I am/was planning a summer holiday in the US, and Saturday night I was taken to the local police station after an initial breath test on the road and the standard two additional tests at the station, with a final reading of 47. Interestingly the police officer suspected of myself because I was driving very slow, so there is no aggravating circumstance like speeding or other driving offenses.
It is the first time in my life that I face this type of charge and my licence is currently clean. It will also be the last time I go through this, but now I'll have to deal with all the consequences of my mistake for at least 9 to 12 months.
The trial will happen soon, and I'm already prepared for the standard/mandatory 12-month driving ban which hopefully will be reduced to 9 if I get offered training. I know that I will also get a fine depending on my disposable income.
I have contacted a very honest solicitor who admitted that, given my low breathalyzer reading, there's not much that can be done to reduce the ban or fine which should already be minimal, so I will go to the court on my own.
However I have a couple of doubts regarding the consequences of my penalty, and I hope that I can get some informal answers here before my trial day:
1) Will I actually get out of the court with my licence, or will they detain it? My understanding is that the ban will apply to the UK and to Ireland due to mutual agreements, while it won't apply elsewhere. However, holders of UK driving licences can't really do much elsewhere as they won't have a driving licence to show to anyone anyway. According to some, but not all, people in this forum, as well as according to other people I know, non-UK licences cannot really be taken away from their holders, but I'd like to know if anyone has the latest information around this detail.
2) If I will leave the court with my licence in my pocket, I understand that I could still use it in continental Europe and also in the US, where my driving licence has always been accepted with no need for an additional international driving licence. However, I've read some threads here mentioning potential issues with car rental companies. Would it be the case also with my non-UK licence? I've understood here that rental companies might be quite relaxed when asking their sales people, but the fine print might be challenging for insurance purposes.
Thanks and best regards,
Z
I've already looked at several threads here and my case covers multiple areas that do not seem to be already covered by any individual thread.
I hold a EU driving licence, I am/was planning a summer holiday in the US, and Saturday night I was taken to the local police station after an initial breath test on the road and the standard two additional tests at the station, with a final reading of 47. Interestingly the police officer suspected of myself because I was driving very slow, so there is no aggravating circumstance like speeding or other driving offenses.
It is the first time in my life that I face this type of charge and my licence is currently clean. It will also be the last time I go through this, but now I'll have to deal with all the consequences of my mistake for at least 9 to 12 months.
The trial will happen soon, and I'm already prepared for the standard/mandatory 12-month driving ban which hopefully will be reduced to 9 if I get offered training. I know that I will also get a fine depending on my disposable income.
I have contacted a very honest solicitor who admitted that, given my low breathalyzer reading, there's not much that can be done to reduce the ban or fine which should already be minimal, so I will go to the court on my own.
However I have a couple of doubts regarding the consequences of my penalty, and I hope that I can get some informal answers here before my trial day:
1) Will I actually get out of the court with my licence, or will they detain it? My understanding is that the ban will apply to the UK and to Ireland due to mutual agreements, while it won't apply elsewhere. However, holders of UK driving licences can't really do much elsewhere as they won't have a driving licence to show to anyone anyway. According to some, but not all, people in this forum, as well as according to other people I know, non-UK licences cannot really be taken away from their holders, but I'd like to know if anyone has the latest information around this detail.
2) If I will leave the court with my licence in my pocket, I understand that I could still use it in continental Europe and also in the US, where my driving licence has always been accepted with no need for an additional international driving licence. However, I've read some threads here mentioning potential issues with car rental companies. Would it be the case also with my non-UK licence? I've understood here that rental companies might be quite relaxed when asking their sales people, but the fine print might be challenging for insurance purposes.
Thanks and best regards,
Z