Victoria Legal Aid

Driving – what's the law?

This video provides basic legal information about driving without a proper licence or car registration. It is the part of a series of videos about the law for people who have recently arrived in Australia.

See more videos about the law.

Transcript

Text: Driving

[An image shows of a silver sedan pulling up to the curb in a suburban street.]

[Vision changes to an image of a man, Raja, walking along the footpath.]

[Vision changes to the driver getting out of the car and waving to his friend.]

Driver: Hey Raja! Look at my new car.

[Vision changes to an image of Raja expressing his admiration for the car while the driver stands proudly alongside.]

Raja: Wow! It’s good man! When did you get your licence?

Driver: I still got my licence from my home country.

Raja: Well, you want a job?

[Vision changes to an image of the driver happily giving a thumbs up in agreement.]

Driver: Sure.

[Vision changes to an image of the two men standing beside the car.]

Raja: Now that you have a car, you can do some deliveries for me. Come on Monday morning.

[An image shows of the driver holding a box and standing on the footpath in a shopping precinct.]

Driver: OK. I’ll get a GPS!

[Vision changes to an image of the driver happily giving a thumbs up to Raja.]

[Vision fades to black.]

[An image shows of the driver looking towards the rear seat of his car.]

[Vision changes to an image of two young boys sitting in the backseat of the car with no seatbelts on.]

Driver: You like our new car?

Kids: Yeah!

Driver: No more carrying heavy bags Lakshmi!

[Vision changes to an image of the driver’s wife, Lakshmi, sitting in the front passenger seat.]

Driver: And I’ll be working Monday!

[Vision changes to an image of the car parked on a suburban street.]

[The ignition sounds and the scene fades to black.]

[Police sirens sound and an image shows of a police car in the rear-view mirror.]

[Vision changes to an image of Lakshmi sitting in the front passenger seat.]

Lakshmi: Hey, what’s that police car doing?

[Vision changes to an image of the driver looking confused.]

Driver: Oh, I don’t know, but I better stop.

[Vision changes to an image of a policeman standing by the open window of the car.]

Policeman: Can I see your licence?

Driver: Here you are.

[Vision changes to an image of an drivers license from another country.]

Policeman: This licence isn’t valid here. It’s an offence to drive without a valid licence.

[Vision changes to an image of a policeman standing by the open window of the car.]

Policeman: You’ll get a letter and you’ll have to go to court about this.

[Vision changes to an image of the driver looking over helplessly at Lakshmi.]

Driver: Court?

[Vision changes to an image of the policeman writing a ticket.]

Policeman: And your car isn’t registered.

[Vision changes to an image of the driver looking indignant.]

Driver: But I just bought it!

[Vision changes to an image of a policeman standing by the open window of the car.]

Policeman: Well, you have to register the car before you can take it on the road.

[Vision changes to an image of the driver looking over helplessly at Lakshmi.]

Policeman: And the kids aren’t in child seats. I will have to give you a fine.

[Vision changes to an image of the policeman writing a fine.]

Policeman: Make sure you pay by the due date.

[Vision changes to an image of the driver looking helplessly out the car window.]

Driver: How can I pay these fines? I don’t understand!

Policeman: If you don’t understand you can go and get free legal advice from Legal Aid.

[Vision changes to an image of the reception of Legal Aid through glass doors. A sign on the doors reads “Legal Aid Lawyers And Services”.]

Policeman: And you can’t drive until you get the proper licence and register the car.

[Vision fades to black.]

[An image shows of Raja looking incredulously as his friend arrives at work on a bicycle.]

Raja: Where’s your car?

[Vision changes to an image of the friend looking serious.]

Friend: I can’t drive until I get an Australian licence... and I have to go to court!

[Vision changes to an image of Raja looking surprised and sympathetic.]

Raja: Court. Oh no!

[Vision changes to an image of the friend looking serious.]

Friend: And I have to pay so much money in fines!

[Vision changes to an image Raja gesturing sympathetically to his friend.]

Raja: Well, bad luck! No car, no job... Come and see me when your problems are fixed.

[Vision changes to an image of Raja looking disappointed.]

Disclaimer: The material in this print-out relates to the law as it applies in the state of Victoria. It is intended as a general guide only. Readers should not act on the basis of any material in this print-out without getting legal advice about their own particular situations. Victoria Legal Aid disclaims any liability howsoever caused to any person in respect of any action taken in reliance on the contents of the publication.

We help Victorians with their legal problems and represent those who need it most. Find legal answers, chat with us online, or call us. You can speak to us in English or ask for an interpreter. You can also find more legal information at www.legalaid.vic.gov.au

Reviewed 10 March 2022

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