Exceptional Hardship granted for gas and plumbing engineer after he accrued 12 penalty points

This driver was faced with a 6-month totting up disqualification following the accrual of 12 penalty points in 3 years. Millicent Dooher, barrister, represented the driver before the Magistrates, putting forwards an application for exceptional hardship.

The exceptional hardship argument was on the basis of loss of employment, and the knock of effects of this. It also relied on the care that he provided to family members who were suffering from ill health: the Magistrates are always looking for the impact a disqualification on innocent third parties when considering whether the criteria is met for exceptional hardship.

Millicent was able to persuade the Court that this driver’s circumstances did meet exceptional hardship, and no period of disqualification was imposed on this driver.