Professional Driver Defence — Protecting Your Livelihood
For HGV drivers, PSV operators, taxi drivers, delivery professionals, and any driver whose employment depends on their licence, a driving ban is not merely an inconvenience — it is a direct threat to livelihood and family financial security. Charles Ferguson provides specialist road traffic defence for professional drivers throughout Glasgow, Lanarkshire, and across Scotland, combining forensic legal expertise with a clear understanding of the occupational stakes involved.
The Impact of Disqualification on Professional Drivers — Losing your licence as a professional driver typically means losing your income, and often your employment. This can have cascading consequences: mortgage or rent arrears, inability to meet family financial obligations, and loss of years of investment in specialist training and licensing. For HGV and PSV licence holders, disqualification from driving a car simultaneously removes the vocational entitlement. These consequences form the foundation of the strongest exceptional hardship arguments.
Exceptional Hardship — Strongest for Professional Drivers — The exceptional hardship defence is at its most compelling when the driver is a professional who cannot readily transfer their skills to non-driving employment. We prepare these arguments rigorously with: employer statements, evidence of the essential role of driving in your specific job, financial impact calculations, evidence relating to dependants and family obligations, and any attempts made to identify alternative employment. Courts are persuaded by specific, well-evidenced cases — not general assertions.
Full-Spectrum Road Traffic Defence for Professionals — Charles Ferguson provides complete defence for all road traffic charges including drink driving, dangerous driving, speeding, no-insurance, and mobile phone offences — treating the professional context as central to the strategy in every case. The earlier you seek advice, the more options are available. Contact us today for an urgent, confidential consultation and let us protect your livelihood.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to our most common questions.
What is the drink-driving limit in Scotland?
The limit in Scotland is lower than in England and Wales: 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath (compared to 35mcg elsewhere in the UK). This often means a single drink can put you over the limit.
Can I get a Speed Awareness Course in Scotland?
No. Unlike England, Scotland does not offer Speed Awareness Courses. If you are caught speeding, you will usually face a fine and penalty points or a court summons for higher speeds.
What is an 'Exceptional Hardship' argument?
If you reach 12 penalty points, you face a mandatory 6-month ban (totting up). We can argue "Exceptional Hardship" to keep your licence if a ban would cause extreme suffering to others (e.g., family or employees).
Can I avoid a ban for drink-driving?
Drink-driving carries a mandatory minimum 12-month ban. However, in very rare cases, we can argue "Special Reasons" (e.g., spiked drinks or a very short distance driven) to move the court to refrain from banning you.
How do the points work for "New Drivers"?
If you are within the first two years of passing your test, your licence will be revoked by the DVLA if you accrue 6 or more points. You would then have to resit both your theory and practical tests.
What are the penalties for "Dangerous Driving" in Scotland?
Dangerous driving is a serious offence carrying a mandatory minimum 12-month ban and a requirement to sit an extended driving test. In the most serious cases, it can result in a prison sentence.