New Licence and Insurance

AdamJones97

Hi Money Savers!
I've got a few questions I need to ask as I'm unsure about them.
I got my first got my driving licence in Jan 2017 at age 19, completed a Pass Plus Certificate in the September of 2017 but then I done something stupid and ended up with a 23 month ban in the October of the same year. Due to me not being passed for long enough I understand that I will have to retake my theory and complete an extended driving test. However, I am a little confused about how this will affect my insurance quotes. I understand that my quote will obviously be higher than standard but that is my own fault and I accept that. I have not sat any tests or booked any for the foreseeable due to the COVID-19 situation so I'm seeking some advice from you guys who I hope can help.

Questions:
1. Do I put my new licence pass date or my old licence pass date when it asks for it on my insurance quote?
2. Will my Pass Plus still be valid or will I have to obtain a new one, or is it better to do an IAM Certificate?
3. Is there any insurance specialists who deal with previously banned drivers?
4. I have money saved, in the bank, to buy a new car. However, I still have the same car as I have from when I first got issued my ban. Would it be worth keeping my current (10yo) or would it be better to buy a 'new one' (1-3yo)
5. Is there any more advice anyone could offer me in this situation.

All help is greatly appreciated in advance!

452

AdamJones97 said:

Hi Money Savers!
I've got a few questions I need to ask as I'm unsure about them.
I got my first got my driving licence in Jan 2017 at age 19, completed a Pass Plus Certificate in the September of 2017 but then I done something stupid and ended up with a 23 month ban in the October of the same year. Due to me not being passed for long enough I understand that I will have to retake my theory and complete an extended driving test. However, I am a little confused about how this will affect my insurance quotes. I understand that my quote will obviously be higher than standard but that is my own fault and I accept that. I have not sat any tests or booked any for the foreseeable due to the COVID-19 situation so I'm seeking some advice from you guys who I hope can help.

Questions:
1. Do I put my new licence pass date or my old licence pass date when it asks for it on my insurance quote?
2. Will my Pass Plus still be valid or will I have to obtain a new one, or is it better to do an IAM Certificate?
3. Is there any insurance specialists who deal with previously banned drivers?
4. I have money saved, in the bank, to buy a new car. However, I still have the same car as I have from when I first got issued my ban. Would it be worth keeping my current (10yo) or would it be better to buy a 'new one' (1-3yo)
5. Is there any more advice anyone could offer me in this situation.

All help is greatly appreciated in advance!

You've held a full licence since September 2017 but the most damaging thing when it comes to insurance will be the dangerous driving conviction.

Car_54

AdamJones97 said:

Questions:
1. Do I put my new licence pass date or my old licence pass date when it asks for it on my insurance quote?
2. Will my Pass Plus still be valid or will I have to obtain a new one, or is it better to do an IAM Certificate?
3. Is there any insurance specialists who deal with previously banned drivers?
4. I have money saved, in the bank, to buy a new car. However, I still have the same car as I have from when I first got issued my ban. Would it be worth keeping my current (10yo) or would it be better to buy a 'new one' (1-3yo)
5. Is there any more advice anyone could offer me in this situation.

All help is greatly appreciated in advance!

1.  The old one, AFAIK.

2.  Pass Plus doesn't have an expiry date, but it is pretty well worthless as a qualification. Some insurers might give a very small discount, but not any of those that would insure you! If you want to improve your driving rather than collect bits of paper, I'd suggest an appraisal with a decent local instructor, and any refresher lessons you then feel you need. He should also be able to help you with the extended test.

3. Google? Or a local broker.

4. You may not have enough when you've seen the insurance quotes! Anyway, I'd keep the old one until you've proved that you can drive safely and legally for a sustained period.

AdrianC

A dangerous driving ban definitely trumps a pass-plus in the eyes of insurers...

As for whether you buy a newer car, I think insurance quotes are going to be your deciding factor. It's clearly going to vary depending on what the two cars are. If the older one's (let's say) a modified big-engined BMW, and the newer one's a Honda Jazz, then probably...

shaun_from_Africa

I might be missing something obvious in the opening post but I can't see anywhere where it mentions that the ban was for dangerous driving.

Car_54

shaun_from_Africa said:

I might be missing something obvious in the opening post but I can't see anywhere where it mentions that the ban was for dangerous driving.

A 23-month ban, plus exttended test, won't have been for anything other than DD, or causing death or serious injury by DD.

shaun_from_Africa

Car_54 said:

A 23-month ban, plus exttended test, won't have been for anything other than DD, or causing death or serious injury by DD.

I thought that an extended test could be required if the ban was for drink driving or driving whilst affected by drugs and if well over the limit or other offences were involved, a 23 month ban is a possibility.

Car_54

You're right. The OP's problems are still the same though!

TooManyPoints

He didn't say he'd been ordered to take a re-test. He said he understood he would have to because he had not held a licence for long enough:

"Due to me not being passed for long enough I understand that I will have to retake my theory and complete an extended driving test."

He may be under the impression that he has fallen foul of the New Drivers' Act. He hasn't. Perversely a 23 month ban (or a ban of nay length) does not see his licence revoked but six points within 2 years of passing his test does.

Excess Alcohol/Drugs or driving under the influence of drink or drugs do not attract mandatory re-tests. However, the court has the power to order a re-test following a disqualification for any offence. If the disqualification is mandatory the test shall be an extended one, if it is discretionary it shall be a standard one.

Perhaps the OP could tell us what offence led to his ban and why he thinks he must take a re-test. 

AdamJones97

Hi again guys! Thanks for all your helpful information.
I'll try and reply to some of the replies you had as best as I can.

TooManyPoints said:

Perhaps the OP could tell us what offence led to his ban and why he thinks he must take a re-test. 

My ban was for Drink Driving and was put in the "high risk offenders" category. I was issued a 23 months ban just 10ish months after I passed. My solicitor said before the court case that I would end up having to take a DVLA medical when I wish to return to driving but I was also told by my driving instructor, when initially learning to drive, that if I lost my licence (for whatever reason) within the first 2 years, I would have to sit the tests again. I'm confused as I'm led to believe by my instructor that I do need to retake my test, however I can't find anything on the DVLA website about that. Alls it says is that I need to send a D1 Form off in the post with a passport style photo as well as £90 for a medical exam. I didn't get any penalty points from the court for the offence, just a fine, low-level community order and a 23 month driving ban (first time offender, no prev convictions or arrests of any sort).

I have had a look at my Driving Licence Information on the GOV website and it says the following;
"You were disqualified until 30 Sep 2019 - you can now apply to renew your licence"

Does this mean I have to just send the D1 form off with a passport-style photo and £90 and take the medical exam. or do I have to do this as well as retake my tests?  

Car_54

No, your instructor was wrong, or maybe you misunderstood. The retaking only applies if you reach six points within the first two years, which you haven't.

The only fly in the ointment is that DVLA are not accepting postal applications at the mo. They also warn of "significant delays"

if a medical is required. Keep an eye on their website for any updates https://www.gov.uk/guidance/dvla-coronavirus-covid-19-update