Drink driving conviction - licence back

[Jano]

My godson stupidly received a 2 year conviction for drink driving commencing in May 2009. He had a provisional licence which he could not convert to a full licence due to the conviction. It will be 2 years in November since he passed his test, therefore he has until then to try to get his licence back. He was caught in Limerick but lives in Dublin now. He has learned a big lesson and was lucky not to have been involved in an accident.

My questions are as follows if anyone can advise please:
1. Does he need a solicitor? Can he get legal aid. He is unemployed. Must it be the solicitor who represented him for the drink driving charge? This solicitor is quoting €350.
2. Does he apply to the District Court where he lives or where the conviction was handed down?
3. Does the procedure take a long time?

Thanks in advance.

 

[tenchi-fan]

Do NOT get a solicitor. biggest waste of money. *Most* judges will allow you to get it back yourself. Just go to the courthouse where you were banned. Pay the €20 stamp charge and you'll be given a date. Notify the gardai you intend to apply for your licence back.
The judge will ask whether he got his licence endorsed and paid the fine (try to have evidence), and also the date he wants to get his licence back (immediately)

Note that if he already served the full ban (as opposed to trying to get the licence back early) he does not even need to go to court... simply phone the motor tax office he handed the licence in to