A MAN from Rhyl has pleaded for his driving licence to be returned to him after it was revoked for reasons he claims were unfair.

Anthony Huthwaite, 32, was convicted of using a mobile phone while driving on Victoria Road, Prestatyn at Mold Magistrates’ Court on November 29, 2023.

Following this conviction, he had six penalty points on his licence which, given he had been driving for less than two years, triggered an automatic disqualification.

But Mr Huthwaite said that, during the incident in question, he brought his car to a stop before pressing one button on his phone to decline a call.

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The conviction and his consequences, he said, have also caused financial hardship for Mr Huthwaite, a father of six children.

He has urged for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to allow him to have his licence back.

Mr Huthwaite said: “I was pulled over by police as I was sat at traffic lights in Prestatyn. My phone was ringing constantly and it really was a distraction while driving.

“So, at the safest point, with the car out of gear and the handbrake up, I rejected a phone call by pressing one button without the phone in my hand.

“This has led me into big debt and into losing my licence. I’ve not been able to work and fend for my six kids or my partner (who doesn’t work) that I have been with for 16 years.

“I’m struggling to pay debts – I owe my car insurance £500 due to the cancellation of my insurance because I lost my licence, and I lost £1,200 on my car due to it being scrapped, as well as a £373 fine and six points on my licence.”

Mr Huthwaite said his health issues, including depression, anxiety and fibromyalgia, have also been exacerbated since losing his licence.

He said he has also contacted Jacobs Enforcement in his attempts to regain his licence.

“My health has got worse over a short period of time due to this debt problem for respecting the law by not using my mobile phone, but rejecting a call safely,” Mr Huthwaite added.

“I’m now in over £1,000 of debt, I can no longer drive and have to retake my test again, and struggle to get around due to me not being able to walk long distances because of my fibromyalgia.

“I can’t afford to pay for more lessons before taking my test again, either. This has really affected me and my family and has put us in a panic situation.

“It’s not fair, the way the system has handled this situation. More than anything, I want to try and save other people from this happening to them.”

In response, a DVLA spokesperson said: “In line with the Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1995, any driver who gets six or more points within two years of passing their test will have their licence revoked.

“They would have to apply for a provisional licence and pass both the theory and practical driving test to get a full licence.

“While DVLA maintains a record of all GB fixed penalties and court-ordered endorsements, the agency’s role is one of record keeper only, acting on information supplied by the court.

“The enforcement of road traffic offences is a matter for the police and court services.

“To appeal the offence, they must contact the convicting magistrates’ court. The decision whether to reopen the case is a matter for the court.”