How to check the withdrawal period in the licence decision

Under section 25(1) FSG, the authority must state the period when withdrawing the driving entitlement. It fixes that period on the basis of the results of its investigation. The stated period therefore belongs in the operative part and must be checked against the reasons and the facts found by the authority.

If the driving entitlement expires before the end of the period projected by the authority, the decision must also state for how long after expiry no new driving entitlement may be granted. This separate statement matters where the document deals not only with withdrawal but also with a bar on a new grant.

• the driving entitlement or classes covered by the order
• the period expressly stated and whether the beginning and end are given as dates or by another reference point
• any statement concerning a new grant after the existing entitlement expires
• other orders that should be recorded separately from the period

Copy these statements without making your own calculation. If the beginning, end or reference point is unclear, record the uncertainty itself. A self-calculated end date may obscure the actual wording and is not a reliable substitute for the decision.

For withdrawal due to lack of medical fitness, section 25(2) FSG links the period to the assessment obtained under section 24(4) FSG and the duration of unfitness. Section 25(3) contains separate rules for lack of traffic reliability. The review should therefore not stop at one number. It must identify the ground relied on and the facts or documents cited by the authority.

Also note whether the decision refers to demerit entries already recorded and takes them into account. The statute provides an extension for certain existing entries and contains exceptions. Whether that provision applies can only be checked against the actual entries and the statutory basis cited in the decision.

Two matters may look similar while their files differ. Relevant points include the ground assumed in the decision, the investigation results, any medical assessment, existing demerit entries and the remaining validity of the driving entitlement. A general list cannot import these connections from the individual file.

A document check is therefore more useful: order the operative part, reasons, proof of service, attachments and records cited in the decision. The withdrawal decision check supports that completeness review but deliberately does not calculate a withdrawal period.