Mr-stupid
Member
So on 01/11/17 I made the stupid mistake and drove back from the pub after having way too many to drink to drive, ended up getting caught and having an overnight stay in West Midlands police’s finest. This was by far the worst part of the whole thing I appreciate I had done wrong but you get put in with the worst kind of people, people we’re shouting all night and banging the door constantly.
I got released and charged with drink driving DR10 for having 100MG of drink in 100ml of breath. I was 3 times over the legal limit. I knew I was expected a large ban. Court date was ok 16/11/17. The wait was also horrendous as you just want it all over and find out what you are charged with. I decided to get a solicitor to represent me just as I’d never been to court or even been in trouble before. I had around 4 character references, in all honesty I’m not sure they matter, but did it anyway. I asked to solicitor to try to get me out of any form of community service as I work shifts so would struggle to go. But mainly because I didn’t want to be around the people that I knew may be on there. I got a little bit lucky on the day and didn’t just have a magistrates judge I had one higher up who was able to go outside the guidelines to a degree. Was commented on how well I worked with the police and they had no issues. But then for the big 26 month ban, I had requested the course which I got which would take it down to 19 and a half months. £600 fine and no community service. I will admit it was heart wrenching to hear that large ban as I really did love driving. Anyway time to move on with my life and focus on other things.
Booked my course on 17th jan 2019. Didn’t do it straight away as I decided to go on plenty of holidays and work hard at work. So a year soon flew by and I was on the course. Very informative and people all in the same boat so not judging. Plenty of useful information gained to which I will always remember and have already been passing on to family members and friends. This gave me my reduced ban. Now at 19 and a half months and due to end 1st July 2019. With this confirmed date finally gave me the end date and something to look forward to.
Then I received my D1 form 90 days before my end date. And sent this off with the money (they really do make you pay whether it’s with money or timescales for everything). I then received the letter to book my medical. Got it booked in for 15th may.
I stopped drinking on 20th April, but then I did have a few in 4th may. Then stopped again. So don’t believe you have to abstain for weeks/ months. It’s just to ensure you don’t have an alcohol problem.
I also phoned my doctors to ensure they had nothing on record of me having any issues in case the dvla did write to them. They put in on record I had no issues and would confirm that if dvla wrote to them.
Test on 15th may. Blood test and the questionnaire which is available online. Just be honest in the questionnaire it’s not a test. I answered no to all and said I had a few drinks a week.
I then called one week after, they had the bloods but no questionnaire.
Phoned the doctors I had the medical and they had sent it off but also emailed it over to them for me.
Phoned a week after and they now had everything and it would now go to the medical team to look into. Which could take 2 weeks. I did begin to panic as my ban was up in just over 30 days.
But as of today, checking online 31st may I have had all my license renewed, with a 10 year license aswell.
I’m absolutely over the moon, in 30 days I can finally put all this mess behind me and move on with my life !
Time really does fly ! It’s frightening how fast 18 months has gone. My suggestion to anyone is yes we all know we’ve done wrong and shouldn’t have done it but we have and you can’t keep punishing yourself. We’re only human. I beat myself for months and it got me nowhere. Tell your parents if young they are your biggest supporters. My parents have gave me lifts everywhere when needed (I owe so many lifts) and tell your closest friends, if they care they will support you ! Get trips and things booked so you have plenty of things to look forward to as a pose to just concentrating on your ban end date. I had a count down for everything.
Public transport really ain’t that bad. I’ve got used to it now and certainty would be put off by using it more frequently.
I know I’ve waffled on but I’ve tried to cover things I was always looking for.
I appreciate any piece of help anyone has given me on here. I am only a message away if anyone wants a chat or any information regarding my situation.
I will never put myself in this situation again that’s for sure.
Thanks if you’ve got to the end.
I got released and charged with drink driving DR10 for having 100MG of drink in 100ml of breath. I was 3 times over the legal limit. I knew I was expected a large ban. Court date was ok 16/11/17. The wait was also horrendous as you just want it all over and find out what you are charged with. I decided to get a solicitor to represent me just as I’d never been to court or even been in trouble before. I had around 4 character references, in all honesty I’m not sure they matter, but did it anyway. I asked to solicitor to try to get me out of any form of community service as I work shifts so would struggle to go. But mainly because I didn’t want to be around the people that I knew may be on there. I got a little bit lucky on the day and didn’t just have a magistrates judge I had one higher up who was able to go outside the guidelines to a degree. Was commented on how well I worked with the police and they had no issues. But then for the big 26 month ban, I had requested the course which I got which would take it down to 19 and a half months. £600 fine and no community service. I will admit it was heart wrenching to hear that large ban as I really did love driving. Anyway time to move on with my life and focus on other things.
Booked my course on 17th jan 2019. Didn’t do it straight away as I decided to go on plenty of holidays and work hard at work. So a year soon flew by and I was on the course. Very informative and people all in the same boat so not judging. Plenty of useful information gained to which I will always remember and have already been passing on to family members and friends. This gave me my reduced ban. Now at 19 and a half months and due to end 1st July 2019. With this confirmed date finally gave me the end date and something to look forward to.
Then I received my D1 form 90 days before my end date. And sent this off with the money (they really do make you pay whether it’s with money or timescales for everything). I then received the letter to book my medical. Got it booked in for 15th may.
I stopped drinking on 20th April, but then I did have a few in 4th may. Then stopped again. So don’t believe you have to abstain for weeks/ months. It’s just to ensure you don’t have an alcohol problem.
I also phoned my doctors to ensure they had nothing on record of me having any issues in case the dvla did write to them. They put in on record I had no issues and would confirm that if dvla wrote to them.
Test on 15th may. Blood test and the questionnaire which is available online. Just be honest in the questionnaire it’s not a test. I answered no to all and said I had a few drinks a week.
I then called one week after, they had the bloods but no questionnaire.
Phoned the doctors I had the medical and they had sent it off but also emailed it over to them for me.
Phoned a week after and they now had everything and it would now go to the medical team to look into. Which could take 2 weeks. I did begin to panic as my ban was up in just over 30 days.
But as of today, checking online 31st may I have had all my license renewed, with a 10 year license aswell.
I’m absolutely over the moon, in 30 days I can finally put all this mess behind me and move on with my life !
Time really does fly ! It’s frightening how fast 18 months has gone. My suggestion to anyone is yes we all know we’ve done wrong and shouldn’t have done it but we have and you can’t keep punishing yourself. We’re only human. I beat myself for months and it got me nowhere. Tell your parents if young they are your biggest supporters. My parents have gave me lifts everywhere when needed (I owe so many lifts) and tell your closest friends, if they care they will support you ! Get trips and things booked so you have plenty of things to look forward to as a pose to just concentrating on your ban end date. I had a count down for everything.
Public transport really ain’t that bad. I’ve got used to it now and certainty would be put off by using it more frequently.
I know I’ve waffled on but I’ve tried to cover things I was always looking for.
I appreciate any piece of help anyone has given me on here. I am only a message away if anyone wants a chat or any information regarding my situation.
I will never put myself in this situation again that’s for sure.
Thanks if you’ve got to the end.
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