England and Wales · Road traffic
What is the six-month ceiling on an interim driving disqualification?
In England and Wales, section 26(4) makes an interim disqualification expire at the end of six months beginning with the order day, unless the court deals with the offender earlier. The order day is included. This establishes an outer ceiling, not a guarantee that the interim order remains operative until that date.
- Period
- Six calendar months beginning with the order day, subject to earlier disposal
- Trigger
- The day the interim disqualification order was made
- Rule
- Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988, section 26(4), (6), (12)
Checked against the retained current official provision. This is the interim order’s outer ceiling, with its making day included. Earlier disposal and the subsequent sentence determine what restriction actually remains.
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What is the six-month ceiling on an interim driving disqualification?
In England and Wales, section 26(4) makes an interim disqualification expire at the end of six months beginning with the order day, unless the court deals with the offender earlier. The order day is included. This establishes an outer ceiling, not a guarantee that the interim order remains operative until that date.
Responsible actor. The court and driver subject to an interim section 26 order.
The day the interim disqualification order was made
This is the interim order’s outer ceiling, with its making day included. Earlier disposal and the subsequent sentence determine what restriction actually remains.
An England and Wales interim order under section 26, with its actual making date and any earlier disposal established.
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988, section 26(4), (6), (12)How does this provision count time?
- Include the order day. On an established corresponding-date branch, the outer period ends the day before the six-month anniversary.
- The inclusive six-month ceiling expires by statutory time, subject to earlier disposal. It is not carried forward merely because the ceiling falls on a closed day.
Include the order day. On an established corresponding-date branch, the outer period ends the day before the six-month anniversary.
The inclusive six-month ceiling expires by statutory time, subject to earlier disposal. It is not carried forward merely because the ceiling falls on a closed day.
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988, section 26(4), (6), (12)What do independently checked examples show?
Fictitious example
Fictitious established facts. The day the interim disqualification order was made is October 13, 2026. The order is under section 26 in England and Wales. The order date is established. No earlier disposal is omitted. An England and Wales interim order under section 26, with its actual making date and any earlier disposal established.
| Step | What is counted | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Example 1. Ordinary established facts | Fictitious established facts. The day the interim disqualification order was made is October 13, 2026. The order is under section 26 in England and Wales. The order date is established. No earlier disposal is omitted. An England and Wales interim order under section 26, with its actual making date and any earlier disposal established. Include the order day. On an established corresponding-date branch, the outer period ends the day before the six-month anniversary. The inclusive six-month ceiling expires by statutory time, subject to earlier disposal. It is not carried forward merely because the ceiling falls on a closed day. | Monday, April 12, 2027 |
| Example 2. Closed-day boundary | Fictitious established facts. The day the interim disqualification order was made is December 18, 2026. The order is under section 26 in England and Wales. The order date is established. No earlier disposal is omitted. An England and Wales interim order under section 26, with its actual making date and any earlier disposal established. Include the order day. On an established corresponding-date branch, the outer period ends the day before the six-month anniversary. The inclusive six-month ceiling expires by statutory time, subject to earlier disposal. It is not carried forward merely because the ceiling falls on a closed day. | Thursday, June 17, 2027 |
| Example 3. Material procedural branch | Fictitious established facts. The day the interim disqualification order was made is February 19, 2027. The order is under section 26 in England and Wales. The order date is established. No earlier disposal is omitted. No earlier disposal has occurred, so this illustration identifies only the interim order’s statutory outer ceiling. An England and Wales interim order under section 26, with its actual making date and any earlier disposal established. Include the order day. On an established corresponding-date branch, the outer period ends the day before the six-month anniversary. The inclusive six-month ceiling expires by statutory time, subject to earlier disposal. It is not carried forward merely because the ceiling falls on a closed day. | Wednesday, August 18, 2027 |
Fictitious established facts. These examples do not establish eligibility, effective service, relief or a direction.
Try these dates in the calculatorWhich conditions and exceptions apply?
- Applicable procedure
- The order is under section 26 in England and Wales.
- Actual event and period
- The order date is established.
- Material limitation
- No earlier disposal is omitted.
- An England and Wales interim order under section 26, with its actual making date and any earlier disposal established.
- This is the interim order’s outer ceiling, with its making day included. Earlier disposal and the subsequent sentence determine what restriction actually remains.
What must the responsible actor complete?
Questions about this procedure
What is the six-month ceiling on an interim driving disqualification?
Does the order day count?
Yes. Subsection (4) states that the six-month period begins with the day the order is made.
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 section 26Can the interim order end earlier?
Yes. It expires when the court deals with the offender if that occurs before the six-month period ends.
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 section 26Can another interim order be made for the same offense?
Section 26(6) prohibits a further interim disqualification order for that offense after one has been made.
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 section 26Does this six-month ceiling apply unchanged in Scotland?
This page concerns England and Wales. Subsection (5) makes a separate Scottish provision.
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 section 26Can time under the interim order affect the later ban?
Section 26(12) reduces a later disqualification for the offense by the period of the actual interim disqualification.
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 section 26Does the ceiling alone establish the driver’s present entitlement?
No. Establish earlier disposal, the subsequent sentence and every other operative restriction.
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 section 26Official sources and review
Provisions used (3)
| Provision | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988, section 26(4), (6), (12) | Check the identified procedure, event, counting rule or qualification |
| DPP v Jackson [2025] EWHC 2797 (Admin), paragraphs 22–25 | Check the identified procedure, event, counting rule or qualification |
| Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 section 26 | Check the identified procedure, event, counting rule or qualification |