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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Likelihood of being caught driving with no licence?

277 replies

Throwaway283833848 · 20/10/2019 23:01

Currently don’t have a driving licence.

What is the likelihood of being stopped by the police?

Myself and my husband are both insured on the car.

I know it’s unreasonable, just wondering how likely it is?

OP posts:
TrainspottingWelsh · 20/10/2019 23:09

It's not 1980, the police don't have to pull you over and ask you to produce documents. You only need to pass a police car with anpr. Or have a minor accident where the other driver is entirely at fault.

Plus, as it seems unlikely you'd buy and insure a car as a couple where neither have passed their test, it implies one of you has recently had theirs revoked. So I really hope you pass numerous police cars.

puppyconfetti · 20/10/2019 23:09

Why are you driving with no licence?

I have read it over and over but can't see a single time OP said she is doing this.

StCharlotte · 20/10/2019 23:10

Maybe you wouldn't get stopped but how you feel if you wrote off a third party 69 plate Maserati?

Obsidian77 · 20/10/2019 23:10

Drink-driving

Wtaf spellcheck?

littleorangecat22 · 20/10/2019 23:10

Do you not have the physical driving license, or is it that you' ve not passed a driving test?

If you've just lost your license and can't afford a new one or something like that do you have a pic of it? It's less illegal to drive without a phyical license than it is to drive without being licensed to drive, iyswim. If you've never passed the test or your licesne has been revoked then you shouldn't be driving.

Majorcollywobble · 20/10/2019 23:10

Just checked and there’s a very high likelihood of it being discovered . I have an old style paper license which I never carry with me . But when being involved in an accident which wasn’t my fault the police checked with DVLA there and then .

BlouseAndSkirt · 20/10/2019 23:11

How can anyone assess the likelihood?

Spot checks, someone runs into the back of you and you swap details / you run into the back of someone and they claim against you... anything could happen.

Anyway since it is a completely irresponsible thing to do, you surely won’t be doing it?

Because presumably not having a licence is due to being banned or it having been withdrawn for medical reasons ( epilepsy etc).

So in terms of risk, on any individual
Journey the chances are low. But the impact would be very high because it would lead to prosecution, and possibly someone’s death. So in overall risk analysis .... a high risk thing to do.

MonChatEstMagnifique · 20/10/2019 23:11
Biscuit
fedup21 · 20/10/2019 23:11

Didn’t you have to give your licence number to take out insurance?

I’m not condoning the OP’s stance on this at all, but I have been driving for a very long time and have never had to give my licence number to get insurance.

puppyconfetti · 20/10/2019 23:12

It's not 1980, the police don't have to pull you over and ask you to produce documents. You only need to pass a police car with anpr.

Incorrect. The car is insured for OP and her husband to drive. It won't flag on an anpr. Now if OP is insured as a full licence holder and no longer holds that licence, she won't be insured but an anpr won't know that.

Aquamarine1029 · 20/10/2019 23:12

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Walkerbean16 · 20/10/2019 23:12

Do you mean your license has expired or that you have never had a license?

Bellasblankexpression · 20/10/2019 23:13

My auntie got caught for this so it’s not impossible

PotteringAlong · 20/10/2019 23:14

Just book a driving test, surely?

ChorleyFMcominginyourears · 20/10/2019 23:14

It is completely impossible to guess, it literally depends on luck, how lucky you are to not be in an accident that either is or isn't your fault, how lucky you are not to see ANY police car etc on your journey etc etc etc. The only thing that is 100% guaranteed is that you're an absolute cunt if you do drive without a licence....hope that helps.

LoveNote · 20/10/2019 23:14

you won't know how to drive.....prob only self taught so will stick out on the roads and end up reported

your licence plate will leave a trail,paper trail....you'll be caught that way

Hingeandbracket · 20/10/2019 23:15

You only need to pass a police car with anpr
Er no - that would find a car with no mot, tax, insurance or listed stolen - anpr doesn’t know who is driving, so doesn’t know if they have a licence.

TrainspottingWelsh · 20/10/2019 23:15

Yes puppy, but if the same local police have just prosecuted op for drink driving, the anpr check is going to provoke further interest.

highheelsandbobblehats · 20/10/2019 23:15

You could drive for 15 years and never get stopped, you could drive for 15 minutes and get stopped. Too many mitigating factors.
I've held a license since 2004. I've been pulled over three times. Twice because I had a headlight out (separate times, different cars, years apart) Both of those times it was just coming into dark evenings and I hadn't realised until getting in the car that night. But was pulled over on my first trip out both times. The other time I was pulled over randomly. It was a couple of weeks before Christmas and the police were doing random drink driving tests.
All three times I've been pulled, my heart has been in my mouth. Even though I know that I'm not breaking the law (yes I got the lights fixed immediately). I can't imagine the stress it would cause to drive around with the worry that you might be caught out.
I'm hoping that you're posting this to settle an argument, and not because you're looking for the validation to do it. Because if you are. Don't be a dick.

Pardonwhat · 20/10/2019 23:15

YABU.
But as long as the car appears legal eg insured and no doors hanging off then you’re probably unlikely to get caught.

AlexaAmbidextra · 20/10/2019 23:16

I have read it over and over but can't see a single time OP said she is doing this.

Well I think it’s a reasonable assumption isn’t it? She says she doesn’t have a licence. She’s asking what’s the likelihood of being stopped by the police. Presumably she isn’t worried about being stopped by police while sitting in her armchair watching Eastenders. Confused

Aquamarine1029 · 20/10/2019 23:16

Do you mean your license has expired or that you have never had a license?

Neither of which matter. No license is no license, regardless of the reason.

Hingeandbracket · 20/10/2019 23:17

prob only self taught so will stick out on the roads and end up reported
Not around here. If I reported all the people who are dangerous around here I’d never be off the phone.

puppyconfetti · 20/10/2019 23:17

Well I think it’s a reasonable assumption isn’t it? She says she doesn’t have a licence. She’s asking what’s the likelihood of being stopped by the police.

Presumably she isn’t worried about being stopped by police while sitting in her armchair watching Eastenders.

Maybe OP is simply, as she said, wondering.

justgivemewine · 20/10/2019 23:18

well you're not insured and all you need to do is pass a police car with ANPR, which doesn't just check insurance btw