Can you drive in a parking lot with out a licence?

Question

The other day, me and my friend took out the car for a drive. I only had my G1 and my friend had her G1 as well. We were coming out of a parking lot, I hit a car and the police came. When the police got there, they charged me with a ticket saying "Class G1 driver unaccompanied by qualified driver".. Now what surprised me was when they didn't take my license away. I'm pretty sure they were supposed to take it, and I would get it back 3 years from now. My mom called into the Ministry of Transportation about it and they told her I had to turn in my license immediately.

When the police man was giving me the ticket, he said that I wasn't getting in that much trouble because the accident happend in a private parking lot and I don't need my license in a parking lot.

Now back to my question, do you think that when I go to sign up for driving lessons or to take my G2 road test, they will take my license away from me? And are they justified in doing so? I would have thought they were but since the police told me I don't need a license in a parking lot, they couldn't take my G1 from me, right or wrong?

Answer 1

Without knowing the specifics, its hard to say for sure.  I did some quick search on the law, and it looks like you might be in a little bit of trouble.  The point would be if the car you hit was in the lot or on the street.  If on the street, you were no longer in the lot, and full penalties apply.  If on the lot, it seems the rules can vary.  The charge applies to the fact that you had to drive on the roads to get there as well, I might assume,

From what I can tell, you do not have to surrender the license until found guilty on the charge, so the officer did not have to take it directly.  I couldn't tell if your license is now effectively suspended or not.

Full disclaimer:  I based this on searching some UK law sites.  I don't have any actual knowledge (I am not in the UK), so you should definitely check with a local lawyer.

Answer 2

Bull rules of the road do not apply to car parks!!!!!!!!!!!!!! as far as I know it is private property  

Answer 3

I don't know about the UK but in the US they won't take it on the spot. Innocent until proven guilty, taking your license has to be done by a court official. Police officers do not have the authorityity to pronoun judgmentent and take your license. they just cite you.

Answer 4

wrong

Answer 5

They weren't supposed to take it away at the scene. Usually you will get a court date from the Magistrate and you will probably lose your license until you are 18 in the UK.