Driver Licence Appeal

Client: Sarah J., 32-year-old single mother and small business owner

Situation:
Sarah received a notice of licence suspension due to accumulating 13 demerit points over a three-year period. The final infringement was for speeding 15 km/h over the limit while rushing her sick child to the hospital. This suspension would have severely impacted her ability to run her business and care for her family.

Challenge:
Sarah needed to appeal the suspension to maintain her driving privileges, which were crucial for her work and family responsibilities. She had to demonstrate that losing her licence would cause extreme hardship and that tHERE were exceptional circumstances surrounding her most recent offence.

Our Approach:

1. We helped Sarah gather comprehensive evidence, including:
   
   • Business records showing her need to drive for work
   • A letter from her child’s doctor confirming the medical emergency
   • Character references from clients and community members
   • Proof of her completion of a defensive driving course after the incident
2. We prepared a strong written submission outlining:
   
   • The exceptional circumstances of the final offence
   • The potential for extreme hardship if the suspension was upheld
   • Sarah’s otherwise clean driving record and steps taken to improve her driving
3. We represented Sarah at the Local Court hearing, presenting her case effectively to the magistrate.
   
   

Outcome:
The magistrate agreed that tHERE were exceptional circumstances and that the suspension would cause undue hardship. The appeal was successful, resulting in:

• The suspension was overturned
• Sarah retained her driving privileges
• A 12-month good behavior period was imposed instead of the suspension
  
  

Key Takeaways:

1. Exceptional circumstances, when properly presented, can significantly influence the outcome of a licence appeal.
2. Taking proactive steps (like completing a driving course) can demonstrate commitment to road safety.
3. Comprehensive evidence and professional legal representation can make a crucial difference in appeal cases.
   
   

Long-term Impact:
Sarah was able to continue operating her business and caring for her family without interruption. She has since maintained a clean driving record and successfully completed her good behavior period.

This case study demonstrates how our firm effectively handles driver licence appeals, considering all aspects of a client’s situation to achieve the best possible outcome.