Conviction involving EU driving license quashed by Northern Ireland Court

A conviction for driving without a license has been quashed by the County Court in Northern Ireland, after a referral by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC).

Stefan Stefanov was convicted in April 2022, after providing police with a Bulgarian driving license when he was pulled over in January 2022.

Mr Stefanov was prosecuted for driving without a license on the basis that his Bulgarian driving license only entitled him to drive in Northern Ireland for a year after he became a resident.

After he was convicted Mr Stefanov was told by the Driver & Vehicle Agency that his license authorised him to drive in Northern Ireland until the license expired.

The case was referred by the CCRC in June 2024 and the conviction was quashed on 5 September 2024.

Notes to Editor:

1. The CCRC is an independent body set up under the Criminal Appeal Act 1995. It is responsible for independently reviewing suspected and alleged miscarriages of criminal justice in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and is funded by the Ministry of Justice.      
2. There are currently 10 Commissioners who bring to the CCRC considerable experience from a wide variety of backgrounds. Commissioners are appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the Prime Minister in accordance with the Office for the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code of Practice.  The Chairman, who is also a Commissioner, is not involved in the casework decision-making process.   
3. The CCRC receives around 1,500 applications for reviews (convictions and/or sentences) each year. Since starting work in 1997, the CCRC has referred around 3% of applications to the appeal courts.      
4. The CCRC considers whether, as a result of new evidence or argument, there is a real possibility that the conviction would not be upheld were a reference to be made. New evidence or argument is argument or evidence which has not been raised during the trial or on appeal.  Applicants should usually have appealed first. A case can be referred in the absence of new evidence or argument or an earlier appeal only if there are “exceptional circumstances”.      
5. If a case is referred, it is then for the appeal court to decide whether to overturn the conviction. 
6. More details about the role and work of the Criminal Cases Review Commission can be found at www.ccrc.gov.uk. The CCRC can be found on Twitter @ccrcupdate.