New Law Mandates Retests for Revoked Licence Holders
Drivers in Guernsey now face a mandatory requirement to retake their driving test if their licence is revoked, following a significant change in the law. The Driving Licences (Guernsey) (Amendment) Ordinance was approved by the States of Deliberation, closing a previous loophole. Before this amendment, only new drivers who accrued six penalty points within their first two years were subject to a compulsory retest.
Legislative Update Addresses New Offences
The amendment was introduced to align the principal 1995 Driving Licences Ordinance with new hazardous driving and drug driving offences. These offences were approved by the States in February 2024, following a Policy Letter from the former Committee for Home Affairs. The related legislation suite was finalised at a States meeting on 5th March 2025.
Deputy Marc Leadbeater, President of the Committee for Home Affairs, explained the changes to the Assembly. He stated the ordinance sets out consequential amendments required by the introduction of the new serious driving offences.
Long-Overdue Reform Welcomed
The legislative update was described as "very sorely needed" by Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez. She praised the previous Home Affairs Committee for prioritising the work, which also involved significant input from the Committee for Environment & Infrastructure at the drafting stage.
Deputy de Sausmarez also noted that upcoming reviews, such as a sentencing review, might address further concerns raised during the legislative process. She acknowledged that several Members had engaged with these representations.
The key consequence is clear: any motorist in Guernsey whose licence is officially revoked will now have to pass the standard driving test again before being permitted back on the island's roads.
Applying for a New Licence
For those needing to reapply, a driving licence can be obtained online (with an activated account), by post, or in person at Edward T Wheadon House. Online applications provide immediate validity to drive once payment is processed, with the physical licence arriving by post within 2-3 working days.
