SHT23
New Member
Hi I posted this originally in the wrong section
I am seeking legal advice regarding the loss of my driving licence, the treatment I received from the DVLA and related authorities, and the serious impact these actions have had on my life, career, and responsibilities as a carer.
Background
I was a professional driver with over 22 years’ clean driving experience and a spotless criminal record.
I also ran a photography business, both of which required me to hold a full driving licence.
I am the full-time carer for my son, who has complex physical and emotional needs and is fully dependent on me for transport and care.
Incident Timeline
In January 2024, during a period of extreme stress following the sudden departure of my wife and mother (who had helped care for my son), I used cannabis on a few occasions.
Two weeks later, I was stopped by police for no MOT, and subjected to a roadside drug test, which triggered further arrest and blood tests.
My blood test showed a very low trace of THC: 0.002 micrograms, which is well below the impairment threshold.
I was released, and the police were satisfied I was not driving under the influence, and only trace elements were showing
No criminal charges were filed by the police.
DVLA Licence Revocation
Despite the minor result and absence of charges, the DVLA revoked my licence for 6 months.
They alleged I had a "history of drug addiction and misuse", which is entirely false.
My GP records confirm I have no such history, and I have never been treated or flagged for any drug issues.
Data Access Failures
I submitted three Subject Access Requests (SARs) to the DVLA to determine:
Where the drug misuse claim came from,
What evidence was used to make their decision
Full disclosure of my DVLA record and any supporting documentation.
All three SARs were ignored, in clear breach of the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018.
Unexpected Court Prosecution
Six months later, and after my third unanswered SAR, I was issued a letter informing me of a Magistrates’ Court prosecution. I find this strange to
Received this after 6 months and only a week after my 3rd request for SARs
I received a further 12-month disqualification from 12 August 2024, extending the impact significantly.
The Police had released me without charge after tests showed I was below the legal limit.
Why, after I had a 6 month ban from the DVLA, I was then contacted by Magistrates to be charged? What evidence was provided?
When I was charged and given a 12-month ban at Magistrates Court, why wasn't the 6-month ban I had already served taken into consideration?
Also I feel that these mitigating factors, as well as those regarding my clean record, financial wellbeing, and my sons needs and the impact on him, were not taken into fair consideration. I know of other cases where people have been found by testing to be actually under the influence of drink or drugs and have not received a ban because of similar mitigating factors. I was not under the influence as per testing results and police statements.
I have been truthful and transparent from the beginning and given all information required, voluntarily.
Barriers to Appeal
I was advised that if I chose to appeal the ruling, I risked:
A potential 10-year ban, and
Costly legal and court fees if unsuccessful.
This warning left me too afraid to appeal, despite the disproportionate and unjust nature of the ruling.
Personal and Professional Impact
The combined 18-month revocation destroyed my driving career of 22 years.
It also caused the collapse of my photography business, which depended on travel and mobility.
As my son’s full-time carer, the revocation left him effectively housebound for over a year, severely impacting his wellbeing, mental health, and medical access.
Public services and transport options are inaccessible or unsuitable for his specific needs.
I have been placed under financial strain, emotional distress, and the long-term consequences of losing both my income and professional identity — despite being fully cooperative and non-violent, and having no prior infractions.
Request for Legal Assistance
I am now just weeks away from the end of the 12-month disqualification (due to expire in August 2025), but I remain concerned about: I have applied for my license to be renewed and paid the £65 fee and just received a letter and questionnaire asking if I have used it in the last 3 years. Which obviously I have as thats what got me banned. I have 14 days to get the form back and was advised on it that i should speak to my Dr before returning. But I can't get to see or speak to my Dr until September 1st
I have also used it occasionally since, to ease the chronic pain I suffer with peripheral artery disease, which the ban has impacted with my ability to walk to places and the stress and anxiety this has caused (I have used 1 or 3 joints a month). This has been from my sons supply, who uses it to self-medicate for his Autism and ADHD ( currently he's about to be approved for a prescription at the medicinal cannabis clinic)
So I am now extremely concerned that by detailing this on the form, I will incriminate myself further and receive a further revocation on top of the 18 months I have served. 6 months with DVLA and 12 with the magistrates.
Whether I will be unfairly classified as a high-risk offender,
Whether I will face obstacles when reapplying for my licence,
And whether there are grounds for compensation or legal redress due to:
DVLA’s failure to follow procedure,
False statements regarding drug misuse,
Violations of my data access rights,
And the devastating impact on both my livelihood and caring responsibilities.
I would be grateful for a full legal review of this case, and advice on potential next steps, including complaint escalation or potential action against the DVLA for mishandling, negligence, or breach of rights.
Kind regards,
I am seeking legal advice regarding the loss of my driving licence, the treatment I received from the DVLA and related authorities, and the serious impact these actions have had on my life, career, and responsibilities as a carer.
Background
I was a professional driver with over 22 years’ clean driving experience and a spotless criminal record.
I also ran a photography business, both of which required me to hold a full driving licence.
I am the full-time carer for my son, who has complex physical and emotional needs and is fully dependent on me for transport and care.
Incident Timeline
In January 2024, during a period of extreme stress following the sudden departure of my wife and mother (who had helped care for my son), I used cannabis on a few occasions.
Two weeks later, I was stopped by police for no MOT, and subjected to a roadside drug test, which triggered further arrest and blood tests.
My blood test showed a very low trace of THC: 0.002 micrograms, which is well below the impairment threshold.
I was released, and the police were satisfied I was not driving under the influence, and only trace elements were showing
No criminal charges were filed by the police.
DVLA Licence Revocation
Despite the minor result and absence of charges, the DVLA revoked my licence for 6 months.
They alleged I had a "history of drug addiction and misuse", which is entirely false.
My GP records confirm I have no such history, and I have never been treated or flagged for any drug issues.
Data Access Failures
I submitted three Subject Access Requests (SARs) to the DVLA to determine:
Where the drug misuse claim came from,
What evidence was used to make their decision
Full disclosure of my DVLA record and any supporting documentation.
All three SARs were ignored, in clear breach of the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018.
Unexpected Court Prosecution
Six months later, and after my third unanswered SAR, I was issued a letter informing me of a Magistrates’ Court prosecution. I find this strange to
Received this after 6 months and only a week after my 3rd request for SARs
I received a further 12-month disqualification from 12 August 2024, extending the impact significantly.
The Police had released me without charge after tests showed I was below the legal limit.
Why, after I had a 6 month ban from the DVLA, I was then contacted by Magistrates to be charged? What evidence was provided?
When I was charged and given a 12-month ban at Magistrates Court, why wasn't the 6-month ban I had already served taken into consideration?
Also I feel that these mitigating factors, as well as those regarding my clean record, financial wellbeing, and my sons needs and the impact on him, were not taken into fair consideration. I know of other cases where people have been found by testing to be actually under the influence of drink or drugs and have not received a ban because of similar mitigating factors. I was not under the influence as per testing results and police statements.
I have been truthful and transparent from the beginning and given all information required, voluntarily.
Barriers to Appeal
I was advised that if I chose to appeal the ruling, I risked:
A potential 10-year ban, and
Costly legal and court fees if unsuccessful.
This warning left me too afraid to appeal, despite the disproportionate and unjust nature of the ruling.
Personal and Professional Impact
The combined 18-month revocation destroyed my driving career of 22 years.
It also caused the collapse of my photography business, which depended on travel and mobility.
As my son’s full-time carer, the revocation left him effectively housebound for over a year, severely impacting his wellbeing, mental health, and medical access.
Public services and transport options are inaccessible or unsuitable for his specific needs.
I have been placed under financial strain, emotional distress, and the long-term consequences of losing both my income and professional identity — despite being fully cooperative and non-violent, and having no prior infractions.
Request for Legal Assistance
I am now just weeks away from the end of the 12-month disqualification (due to expire in August 2025), but I remain concerned about: I have applied for my license to be renewed and paid the £65 fee and just received a letter and questionnaire asking if I have used it in the last 3 years. Which obviously I have as thats what got me banned. I have 14 days to get the form back and was advised on it that i should speak to my Dr before returning. But I can't get to see or speak to my Dr until September 1st
I have also used it occasionally since, to ease the chronic pain I suffer with peripheral artery disease, which the ban has impacted with my ability to walk to places and the stress and anxiety this has caused (I have used 1 or 3 joints a month). This has been from my sons supply, who uses it to self-medicate for his Autism and ADHD ( currently he's about to be approved for a prescription at the medicinal cannabis clinic)
So I am now extremely concerned that by detailing this on the form, I will incriminate myself further and receive a further revocation on top of the 18 months I have served. 6 months with DVLA and 12 with the magistrates.
Whether I will be unfairly classified as a high-risk offender,
Whether I will face obstacles when reapplying for my licence,
And whether there are grounds for compensation or legal redress due to:
DVLA’s failure to follow procedure,
False statements regarding drug misuse,
Violations of my data access rights,
And the devastating impact on both my livelihood and caring responsibilities.
I would be grateful for a full legal review of this case, and advice on potential next steps, including complaint escalation or potential action against the DVLA for mishandling, negligence, or breach of rights.
Kind regards,
