Michael Laurent fronts Dandenong Magistrates’ Court after being caught driving with a licence for 32 years
A Boronia man has stunned a court after admitting he has been driving for more than 30 years without a licence.
South East
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A man has admitted in court to driving unlicensed for more than 30 years, saying he had tried to get it back before but blamed Covid for getting in the way.
Boronia man Michael Laurent fronted Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on April 17 where he pleaded guilty to driving unlicnesed after police pulled him over in Dandenong South.
Laurent told the court he lost his licence in 1991 and had failed to renew it.
“I’ve tried to get it back before,” he told the court.
“But through Covid, the hearing kept getting cancelled and I just never followed it up.”
Magistrate Julie O’Donnell questioned Laurent as to why he had taken so long to even attempt to renew his licence.
“I was in a bad car accident overseas, and I was afraid to drive for a long time,” Laurent told the court.
“I’ve tried a number of times over the past few years though, but I’m still unlicensed.”
Ms O’Donnell instructed Laurent to speak with legal aid on the issue of getting his licence back, but warned him of the consequences should he get behind the wheel without a licence again.
“I’m only going to fine you today, Mr Laurent,” she said.
“But this is actually an offence that carries jail terms. Be aware of that moving forward.”
Magistrate O’Donnell fined Laurent an aggregate amount of $300 with a conviction.
gemma.scerri@news.com.au
