Section 88 Road Traffic Act: Can You Drive While DVLA Has Your Licence?

Section 88 of the Road Traffic Act provides important legal protection for drivers whose applications are still being processed by the DVLA.

What Section 88 covers

If you have submitted a valid licence application to the DVLA and meet the eligibility requirements, Section 88 generally allows you to continue driving while your application is being processed, even if your current entitlement would otherwise have expired.

Conditions that must be met

• You must have held a valid licence immediately before applying
• Your application must not have been refused or revoked
• You must meet the medical and eyesight standards required for driving

What Section 88 does not cover

This provision does not apply if your application has been refused, if you are disqualified from driving, or if you never held a valid licence to begin with. It is a bridging provision, not a substitute for eventual licence approval.

Keep a copy of your application confirmation in your vehicle as evidence should you be asked to demonstrate your legal right to drive during this period.