Getting my licence back

[R6_kid:Me]

Well as many of you know i lost my licence back on the 26th of November. This means that my 28 days is up on the 24th of December, however as this falls on christmas eve the LTSA obviously isnt open for business and they wont be till the 27th of December.

I rang them thismorning to see what the deal would be as far as when i can expect my licence back etc. After speaking to three different people, one of which must have been hearing impaired, i finally got word that it wouldnt be in my mail box til atleast the first week of January and that i'd have to ring up on the 27th of December to arrange a temporary licence.

So... what do i do? I've served my 28 days 'punishment' but because of the way the system works i'm gonna be looking at another fine should i get pulled over for anything at all until my card arrives later in 2007.

Does anyone know if there is a way I can get it sent out earlier? Or should i just ride and hope that if for some reason i do get pulled over the officer 'understands' that the fact that i dont have my licence on me is out of my control?

[Drum]

You dont reckon you could go 2 weeks without getting pulled over?

[Wasp]

just make sure you remember not to do it again next year

[R6_kid:Me]

i can ride sensibly for aslong as i like, but being the holiday season im sure i'll end up getting checked for WOF/REGO/Licence/Alcohol at some stage via a checkpoint.

[Devil]

Maybe ask them if they can post date the temporary licence for the 24th.
So you still get it, and it's still only valid from the 24th...

[judecatmad]

I personally think you'd be a muppet to take such a risk. Your chance of being pulled over for nothing at all is quite high over the Xmas period and for the sake of a few extra days, you may as well sit tight and wait.

But that's just my own humble opinion. You will do what you want to do at the end of the day, you just have to be prepared to accept the consequences of your actions if caught (whatever those consequences may be - could be a nothing, could be a major...who knows?).

[Blairos]

Dont they give you a grace period with which to front up with the licence?...

should you not have it on you at the time of infringment...

[R6_kid:Me]

Maybe ask them if they can post date the temporary licence for the 24th.
So you still get it, and it's still only valid from the 24th...

just rang them back. and asked whether the actual licence can be sent out early - nope. Can i apply for the temporary licence and get it sent out before then so it arrives for the 25th - nope.

They cant process anything regarding my licence until it becomes 'valid' again which is at 7am on the 24th of December. They 'new' licence will take up to 21 days to arrive from the 27th of December, and a temporary licence will take about a week i think.

Also rang the local police station about a 'grace period' or similar, basically if i ride without my licence on me it's still an offence, but i was told to explain the situation if i do get pulled up and that it would be 'very mean' if i did get given a ticket

[Ixion]

Do they actually take your licence off you for the 28 day thing ? I thought that was only done for the "over 100 points" thying.

And after the 28 days, if you don't have the actual bit of plastic, I would have thought you were still licensed. The suspension time has expired, I would assume that it's all a computer thing now, so if a cop checked on the 25th you'd show as havign a valid licence. Worst you would be up for would be a $55 fine for not carrying the plastic.

But I could be quite wrong. And it'd be just the sadistic thing Murphey would do, have you be good and legal the whole 28 days then ping you after they expired.

[Ixion]

Dont they give you a grace period with which to front up with the licence?...

should you not have it on you at the time of infringment...

Nope. Used to. Not any more (unlike UK) $55 instant fine for not having it in your possession

[Hellraiser]

If your going to take the risk make sure you have other ID on you Like a Passport. Juts stops the officer thinking that your trying to use someone elses name.

[Bloody Mad Woman (BMW)]

just rang them back. and asked whether the actual licence can be sent out early - nope. Can i apply for the temporary licence and get it sent out before then so it arrives for the 25th - nope.

They cant process anything regarding my licence until it becomes 'valid' again which is at 7am on the 24th of December. They 'new' licence will take up to 21 days to arrive from the 27th of December, and a temporary licence will take about a week i think.

Also rang the local police station about a 'grace period' or similar, basically if i ride without my licence on me it's still an offence, but i was told to explain the situation if i do get pulled up and that it would be 'very mean' if i did get given a ticket

I went to the AA and they gave me a temporary licence immediately. They wrote it out at the time as I applied for my licence.

[SwanTiger]

If your going to take the risk make sure you have other ID on you Like a Passport. Juts stops the officer thinking that your trying to use someone elses name.

Wise words right there. Essentially dude you have three options.

1, is to wait until you receive your Drivers License in the mail, which will take some time, usually (a realistic) 1 - 2 weeks at the most, however given the time of year it might be longer. 2, is to ride without your Drivers License, although it is valid, you will be fined $55 (as already stated) if you can't produce it, however like Hellraiser mentioned carrying I.D. is satisfactory and I have done this myself before - License not on hand but suitable I.D. which the officer accepted. 3, You can go into the AA or whereever and get a temporary license on the 27th. Basically go in with your birth certificate or any formal type of identification, explain your circumstances and request a temporary license that will be valid for one month (you know, the paper sort).

I went with option 3 when I lost my license and the suspension time was up.

However I know of others who lost theres and just rung up the LTSA after the expirey period and changed their address, a new card was issued in the mail within 1 week. But I reckon a temp license is the best way to go.

[marty]

Do they actually take your licence off you for the 28 day thing ? I thought that was only done for the "over 100 points" thying.

And after the 28 days, if you don't have the actual bit of plastic, I would have thought you were still licensed. The suspension time has expired, I would assume that it's all a computer thing now, so if a cop checked on the 25th you'd show as havign a valid licence. Worst you would be up for would be a $55 fine for not carrying the plastic.

But I could be quite wrong. And it'd be just the sadistic thing Murphey would do, have you be good and legal the whole 28 days then ping you after they expired.

licence IS taken at the roadside.

yes you are licenced after the 28 days. you'd be unlucky to get a ticket for not producing it, in the absence of an other offence. carry some other photo ID in its absence. also carry your 28 day suspension notice - showing the date of suspension, this will prove your licence status.

[Hellraiser]

Wise words right there. Essentially dude you have three options.

3, You can go into the AA or whereever and get a temporary license on the 27th. Basically go in with your birth certificate or any formal type of identification, explain your circumstances and request a temporary license that will be valid for one month (you know, the paper sort).

If you do this don't forget to take proof of address as well e.g. Power bill with your name and current address on it.