A 55-year-old father of two has made a successful application of exceptional hardship, after a series of speeding offences took his licence points up to a total of 12.
On August 4, 2025, the man was caught driving at 30mph in a 20mph zone on the A548 near Oakenholt, Flintshire. He pleaded guilty to the offence, and the court added 3 points to his licence. Unfortunately, he already had 9 points from earlier speeding offences. According to totting up rules, acquiring 12 or more licence points within a three-year period triggers a mandatory driving prohibition of at least six months.
Appearing in Mold Magistrates’ Court on Monday, August 24, the defendant made an application of exceptional hardship, explaining that a driving ban would have a devastating effect on his family. The court was informed that he makes a daily 32-mile commute to his place of work, and that there were no realistic alternatives such as public transport or lifts from other drivers.
As a self-employed general foreman in the construction industry, it was heard that the loss of his driving licence would have caused a complete loss of income. He would, therefore, be unable to pay rent and other bills, or adequately support his wife and children. The court accepted the argument and did not impose a driving ban. He was ordered to pay a £360 fine, a £144 victim surcharge and £130 in court costs.
A driver considering making an exceptional hardship argument must get clear advice from qualified solicitors. At Auriga Advocates, we have the expertise and experience to help drivers defend their licences. Contact us today and let’s see how we can help you as your case moves forward.