revocation
reh-vuh-KAY-shun
/ˌrevəˈkeɪʃn/
The official cancellation, rescinding, or permanent annulment of a driver's license or driving privilege.
Represents the total termination of a license, requiring the individual to re-apply from scratch after a penalty period.
The story behind the word. Formed from Latin 'vocare' (to call), 'revocare' meant calling back a messenger or recalling a decree. In medieval law, when a ruler granted a land title or privilege, they retained the power of 'revocatio'—calling the privilege back to the crown.
Word relationships
- annulment: Annulment implies declaring something void from the beginning, while revocation terminates an active grant.
- issuance: Issuance grants an official document, whereas revocation formally cancels it.
Commonly confused with
- suspension: Suspension pauses driving rights temporarily; revocation destroys driving rights completely, requiring new testing later.
Word family
- revoke (verb): To officially cancel or take back.
- revocable (adjective): Capable of being canceled or revoked.
Collocations
- license revocation
- permanent revocation
- order of revocation
- subject to revocation
Example sentences
- "A conviction for multiple reckless driving offenses resulted in the permanent revocation of her driving privileges." Severe Legal Consequence
- "Unlike temporary suspension, license revocation completely invalidates the credential, requiring a full new driving examination." Administrative Action
Memory hook
REVOKE means calling VOCALly to pull your license BACK. REVOCATION = total cancellation.
When not to use
Do not use 'revocation' if driving privileges will automatically return after a set duration without re-examination.
Fun facts
- In legal theory, because a driver's license is a state privilege rather than a constitutional right, administrative agencies can revoke it with lower evidentiary burdens than criminal court trials require.
Related words
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