Location Transport

Traffic Offence: Driving without license?

Hi friends, few days back I was pulled over by a officer for general license checking. I was driving my 125 cc scooter. He found that I was not having the appropriate license. I was having the Queensland open car license but not the motor cycle license. He gave me the notice to appear in court. Actually, I am having the international car & bike license. Before buying the scooter I asked qld transport that if I can drive scooter with my international license and they said yes. I am driving the scooter from last 2 years. I was pulled over once for not giving the way and at that time police dint said that you do not have appropriate license. Also I was stopped twice for RBT and they never said that I dont have appropriate license. From all this I understood that I can drive with the QLD car license and international bike license. so i was driving without the license. Now as soon as I knew that I need the license. I applied and got my open bike license of Class R within 2 working days. I advised the same to the senior sergeant in the traffic branch but he said that he cannot do any thing and I will have to go to the court and explain the situation. So my question is am I at fault and if yes how much fine I will have to pay or what penalty I can get?

Public Comments

1. Ignorance of the law is never a valid excuse. However, if you go and get the correct license, the judge may waive any fine and let you off with just a warning.
2. don't know in australia but if you show the judge you have gotten the appropriate license, perhaps he will go light on you. you can always quote the international convention that australia is part of the VIENNA convention on road traffic..... maybe you will confuse him. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vienna_Convention_on_Road_Traffic
3. An International licence is not valid here if issued in Australia. Your state drivers licence issued in Australia over rides any International or foreign drivers licences. The police are correct. Once a fine is issued you can either pay it or go to court and challenge it. In NSW even if the fine is dropped by the court a section 10 you still lose your points because the fine was issued by the police but the RTA control the licencing and points system. Don't you just love it. Most people go to court trying to save their licence not the money!
4. go to court and explain your story. a FAIR judge should drop your case since you have upgraded your license.