What is exceptional hardship?

Disqualification is generally compulsory. However, if you are able to persuade the court that there would be exceptional hardship amounting if you lose your licence they may allow you to keep your licence despite the fact that you have 12 penalty points or more.

The hardship that must be demonstrated must be beyond that endured by a normal person losing their driving licence. There is no legal definition of exceptional hardship and it will depend upon the court’s interpretation of your case as to whether your circumstances fit the criteria this is why skilled and specialist presentation of an exceptional hardship argument is essential, specifically it is important to gather as much evidence as possible at an early stage and present that evidence in a way that is most likely to gain favour with the court.