What can she expect to happen?

[tigwig]

My aunty (who is rather dippy I have to say) has received a court summons for driving a manual car with only an automatic driving license. This came about after she had a minor accident whilst driving the wrong way up a one way street! I dont know her well at all but she has never been a good driver from what she has told my mum and has had lots of little bumps so the last incident made her stop driving all together. Anyway she now has to go to court next week and is very scared bless her. Does anyone have any idea what will happen? She had no idea she had been doing wrong by driving a manual car but I am aware that will have no impact on the outcome. Of course as her license wasnt valid this has also meant her insurance was void too.

[New Judge]

Her licence was valid, but she did not drive in accordance with its conditions. So your aunty will probably have been charged with driving otherwise than in accordance with her licence.

The magistrates' sentencing guidelines suggest a fine of half a week's net income (reduced by a third if she pleads guilty). She will also receive three penalty points, and be ordered to pay a contribution towards prosecution costs (usually about £80) and a Victim Surcharge of £15.

The commission of this offence does not invalidate her Third Party insurance.

[tigwig]

Well thats strange because thats what she has told my mum! Apparently she has seen a solicitor for the free half hour you get but he told her it definitely wasnt worth paying for one as she didnt need it. She can be a bit loopy so maybe she has blown the whole thing out of proportion. I may find out more tomorrow as I think she was going to phone my mum tonight. Lets hope you are right as thats not as bad as I imagined. Thanks.

[R1Geezer]

It's a common myth that insurance is somehow "void" if any other offence is being committed. if that were the case then a conviction for "driving without insurance" would accompany every other motoring offence. All it means is that if a claim were to arise then the insurers would use it as an excuse to reduce payout.