The criminal guidance for indefinite leave to remain does not allow settlement for the applicant who has severe criminal record within 24 months prior to the date of the application.  You need to prove yourself as a good character person. If you violate traffic offence, it might affect your indefinite leave to remain application. 

Traffic offences is not an immigration offence, but it could lead your Indefinite Leave to remain refused and the following is the list that would affect your ILR application: 

• Drink Driving
• Reckless Driving 
• Traffic Light Offence 
• Repetitive Exceeding speed limit  
• Driving without insurance
• Falling to stop after an accident  

If you receive a penalty notice of your traffic violation, you need to pay the fine immediately. In some cases, you can replace it by taking a training course instead of paying the fine. There may be a case where you may not be able to receive the penalty due to having a different address. In this case, updating your address to DVLA is necessary when you change the registered address of your vehicle. If you miss the due dates of paying fines, it could lead you to be summoned and it will jeoperdise your “good character” for your settlement application. Failing to disclose all information of traffic violation record will result in your ILR application by the ground rule of refusal.   

Are traffic violations recorded on criminal offence? 

Most minor traffic offences and violations will be recorded on your driving license for 3 to 4 years. These records are not classified as criminal conviction and discharged automatically once you have paid fine. However, if you receive a driving ban from repetitive exceeding speed limit, it will be recorded and it might affect your ILR eligibility.   

When can I apply for ILR with a traffic offence?

Some driving offences and traffic violations cause refusal of your indefinite leave to remain. Some severe cases such as drink driving, drug driving will be criminally recorded and these convictions will be considered spent after five years. You might be eligible to apply for your settlement after your criminal record is spent.  

If you would like to check and get advice regarding your driving offence and ILR application, please send message or contact us We will be happy to assist you.