Disqualified driving charge dismissing for Christine Standley after VicRoads’ blunder
A woman drove for four years while disqualified — but she only found out she had no licence when she was pulled over by police.
South East
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A woman caught driving disqualified for four years over a medical report miscommunication has told a court she was glad police nabbed her.
When Christine Standley was caught driving unlicensed in January, she told police she was unaware that her licence was disqualified.
Pleading guilty in Moorabbin Magistrates Court on June 1, Ms Standley said she was thankful police had stopped her.
“In retrospect, when the police pulled me over and told me, they did me a favour,” she said.
“If I’d had an accident, I would have had no idea I was disqualified and my insurance would have been void.”
Ms Standley was pulled over on Dandenong Rd on January 3 after police did a registration plate check, which showed she was disqualified.
The court heard Ms Standley had received no documentation from VicRoads regarding her licence since 2013.
Ms Standley told the court that due to previously experiencing a seizure, she had been required to provide a medical review at differing intervals by VicRoads to keep her licence.
“In 2000 when I was pregnant, I had a seizure,” she said.
“I was doing a review once a year, then every three years and then every five years. I didn’t receive anything after 2013 so I thought I didn’t have to do them anymore.”
Following the traffic stop, Ms Standley contacted VicRoads immediately and rectified the situation, when she asked why they didn’t send a follow up regarding her licence.
VicRoads informed her it “wasn’t their policy to let you know”.
Magistrate Stephen Lee said the unique nature of Ms Standley’s case made it possible for him to exercise discretion.
“It’s a serious charge because people who drive should have the proper authority to do so, and that is what a licence is,” he said.
“Your case is unusual because you didn’t lose your licence because you’re a bad driver or anything else, it was over a medical review.”
Ms Standley said she would concede that VicRoads had attempted to make contact with her regarding the medical report.
“The only excuse I have is because I was going through a nasty marriage break up at the time,” she said.
“I might not have received their notice because I sold my house and purchased another in a small amount of time.”
Mr Lee accepted her explanation but said she should be more cautionary in the future.
“You’ve given a credible explanation, your licence is now current and taking into account your good record I’m exercising my discretion and dismissing the charge,” he said.
“You should however, make sure that you yourself know at all times what your licence status is, regardless of VicRoads notifying you.”
Mr Lee ordered no financial penalty be imposed and made no orders regarding Ms Standley’s licence.
gemma.scerri@news.com.au
