Driving While Suspended – Melbourne Magistrates’ Court

The Court: Melbourne Magistrates’ Court
The Date: March 2025
The Charges:

Road Safety Act, Section 30(1) – driving a motor vehicle whilst licence is suspended
Road Safety Drivers Regulations, Section 56(1)(b) – failing to display a visible P plate at the front of vehicle
Road Safety Drivers Regulations, Section 68(1) – failing to notify VicRoads of a change in address within 14 days

Possible penalties our client was facing:

Charge 1:

A fine of up to $47,421.60
Up to 2 years imprisonment

Charge 2:

A fine of up to $592.77 (or 3 penalty units)

Charge 3:

A fine of up to $592.77 (or 3 penalty units)

Facts of the case:

Our client is a probationary driver. The police’s automatic number plate recognition system detected that the owner of our client’s car did not hold a valid licence. Further checks with VicRoads showed that our client’s licence was suspended.

The police noted that there was no P plate on the front of the vehicle. When our client was asked to give her name and address to the police, her address did not match with her licence. She then told the police that she was yet to update this on VicRoads.

Negotiations with prosecutors:

Before the case, our barrister negotiated with prosecutors that on the basis our client pleads guilty to charges one and three, charge two would be withdrawn. This was agreed by both parties.

Result in Court:

Our client’s case was adjourned for a year without conviction (a good behaviour bond). This means that if our client commits no oYences for the following year, she will receive no conviction, no loss of licence or a fine.

Other Case Studies

Explore All