General News
17 September, 2024
Interstate P plates could spell trouble for local youth
Local police have issued a serious warning to young drivers aged between 16 and 18 driving illegally in Victoria after securing interstate issued probationary licences — with those caught at risk of facing significant criminal ramifications.
According to the Central Goldfields Highway Patrol, there’s a number of youth in the community who are getting behind the wheel without a valid Victorian licence.
Police said they’ve also received numerous enquires from parents of similar aged youth, asking if the process is lawful and if their children could also consider utilising the process.
For all young people who are ordinary residents in Victoria — those living continuously at an address in the state — the permitted age to apply for a probationary drivers licence is 18.
In most other states the minimum age limit is lower, sitting at 17, while those residing in the Northern Territory can apply for their P plates at around 16.
Authorities are concerned that teenagers, in Maryborough and surrounds, eager to get their licence before they turn 18 could be involved in fraudulent behaviour when they apply for interstate licences.
The relevant applications, police said, in some cases may be completed using “misleading and possibly fraudulent information in order to substantiate that they have been and are a bona fide resident of New South Wales, Queensland or the Northern Territory”.
“Applicants for licences need to be acutely aware that when signing a declaration that the contents of their application is truthful, that a criminal offence is committed if the information is found to have been untrue,” Central Goldfields Highway Patrol Sergeant Paul Martin said.
“Utilising a friend’s or relative’s address in that state and falsely stating that you have resided there will likely not survive intense scrutiny if you are in fact a student enrolled and attending a local school with parents also residing here for example.”
In addition to this, if a licence has been obtained fraudulently interstate, the driver cannot legally drive in Victoria.
“I want to make things clear, just because you have obtained a probationary driver licence interstate does in no way safeguard you from an investigation being undertaken around the circumstances and information you provided to obtain the licence including where your actual ordinary place of residence was at the time,” Sgt Martin said.
“An investigation of this magnitude will occur if you are the driver involved in a serious injury or fatal collision and the ramifications from a criminal and liability aspect could easily be significant if a determination is made that the licence was obtained under false pretences, and that you were unlicensed to drive in Victoria when involved in the collision.
“If there is a financial liability involved, be aware that insurance investigators will normally conduct similar enquiries.
“If you are a probationary driver driving on a NSW, QLD or NT probationary licence I am placing you on notice that you may be intercepted and that police will assess your licence status in Victoria which may result in you being considered unlicensed to drive in Victoria and subject to the ramifications that come with that which can include prosecution and vehicle impoundment.”
Sgt Martin added that obtaining an interstate licence and informing police that you are simply visiting or living in Victoria for six months while driving under that licence will not be accepted on “face value without supporting evidence which may also include police obtaining records from the Roads Authority of other states”.
It’s also important to remember that the holder of an interstate licence is required to comply with the conditions of that licence from the state of issue meaning they must display P plates from the state of issue and comply with any other conditions such as speed restrictions and driving curfews.
An interstate probationary driver is not permitted to display Victorian P plates.
This warning follows an article by The Advertiser in July this year, which found that nearly a quarter of local learner drivers were falsifying their log book entries — jeopardising not only their safety but also that of other road users.
Speaking to the masthead at the time, R U Safe Driving School owner David Hendrickson said: “If you’re a parent or supervisor, ensure the student does the [right] thing — take the time out to instruct them.”