Stripe sets this cookie cookie to process payments. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. You can start driving again as soon as you have got your licence back. If your driving licence was revoked, you must wait until the driving agency has completed its medical enquiries and sent you back your licence. If you live in Northern Ireland, you could keep a printout of the webpage explaining the rules.

This can be helpful to explain why you are driving if you are stopped by police. If you drive while waiting for your licence, it’s a good idea to keep a copy of the leaflet explaining the Section 88 rules in your car (if you live in England, Scotland or Wales). But if they tell you not to drive, you must follow their advice. Your doctor does not need to confirm you are safe to drive. It is up to you to be sure you meet the rules for driving while you are waiting to get your licence back. Information for drivers in Northern Ireland is available on the NI direct website. Full information about this is available in the leaflet INF188/6 – Can I drive while my application is with DVLA? (England, Scotland and Wales). To drive while your application is with the driving agency you must meet a number of criteria. In Northern Ireland, the law that allows this is the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order, 1981. In England, Scotland and Wales, Section 88 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 allows a person to drive if they are temporarily without a driving licence. If you surrendered your licence, you may be able to drive as soon as you meet the medical standards for driving, even if the driving agency is still dealing with your application and you haven’t yet had your licence back.

This is only available for licences issued by the DVLA. If you’re not sure if you surrendered your licence or it was revoked, you can check your driving licence online. See what is the difference between surrendering my licence and having it revoked on our stopping driving webpage When you can start driving again depends on whether you surrendered your licence, or it was revoked by the driving agency.

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