Caught Driving Unregistered + Uninsured Vehicle

CuriousMeerkat on 10/03/2022 - 12:12
Last edited 10/03/2022 - 12:51 by 1 other user

Yes, I know it shouldn't be done (so please refrain from advising me that). I was driving my wife's vehicle and being her first vehicle she wasn't really on top of things with respect to rego renewal dates amidst her health issues and she was in a major trauma for a significant time of 3-4 months.

What I don't understand is, why there were no reminder notices sent by the RMS and also by the CTP insurance provider? Had there been any of such letters we would have been reminded and paid the renewal fees immediately. Now we are sitting with a massive fine of $707 + $707 = $1414.

She tried applying for leniency, but that too has been declined. Is there a point in taking the matter to the court and asking for leniency once again because of health condition and also highlighting that there were no reminder notices?

Automotive

Comments

  • jwolfenstein on 12/03/2022 - 00:55

    I personally wouldn't attempt to go to court for this. If they sent you the reminders but you never received them, unfortunately there isn't anything you can do here.

  • bryant82 on 12/03/2022 - 01:37
    +2

    Having worked for SDRO / Revenue NSW. It’s your responsibility that your insured and registered to drive the vehicle. If you were in an accident during the period of not being the consequences would be much greater for you and for the other drivers.

    Revenue are not able to withdraw the fines issued based on the information you provided. If you want to take the matter further you need to apply the matter before the courts before the fines become an enforcement order. You get 21 days to dispute the fine once issued then a further 28 days on the reminder notice of the fines less days your fine was being reviewed by them.

    My personal thoughts and knowledge regarding these, you have no chance because of the above and your information. Also the courts may increase you fines as it’s at the magistrates decision on the the outcome.

    When I was there we would here every excuse you could imagine, bottom line it’s your responsibility as a road user and for the safety of others.

    • notabank on 12/03/2022 - 17:08

      The only way OP will get out of this is if:

      OP was given wrong information by RMS on the status of the rego. Or,
      The car was registered, or
      They were doing an activity that is allowed even when unregistered (eg. Taking it via a direct route to get a pink slip etc), or
      It was a matter of necessity (eg. OP was evacuating from a flood zone), or
      It wasn't op driving

      You get 21 days to dispute the fine once issued then a further 28 days on the reminder notice of the fines less days your fine was being reviewed by them.

      I've had fines reviewed outside this period but it was clear cut with evidence that someone (not me) lied on a stat dec as it was impossible for me to be the driver.

  • sauce2k on 12/03/2022 - 09:21

    They def send emails . This post is ridiculous.

    Own up and pay up.

  • Dack Smith on 12/03/2022 - 13:19

    The government is run by overpaid inbred imbecile bureaucrats who think they are the best thing since sliced bread.

    However in this instance you’re clearly in the wrong and need to take personal responsibility for your wife not paying her bills according to the law.

    Take it to court if you feel it’s wrong.

    If you don’t obviously you’re just in denial OP

  • Whisper Quiet on 12/03/2022 - 13:59
    +1

    I had this exact thing happen to me years ago. They don't care if you didn't get the letter its your responsibility to know the date it expires no matter if you get a letter, email whatever. No point arguing you won't win

  • screensaver on 12/03/2022 - 15:22

    Think of it this way, the fines fund vital services such as police, schools, tafe, etc, so think of it as a contribution

    • resisting the urge on 12/03/2022 - 16:05

      Yea, and maybe they are funding Royal Commissions for simple misconceptions, rifle ranges, verandah extensions, pools in mansions' back-yards, developers building where they aren't normally allowed, car parks in certain electorates, etc. etc etc.

  • [Deactivated] on 12/03/2022 - 16:58
    +1

    If it is possible to take it to court, they might reduce it. No guarantees of course, but if you have a clean record and a sob story, they'd be more willing. They will also let you convert it to community work hours if that is easier for you than money.

  • notabank on 12/03/2022 - 17:01

    This is your fault don't blame your wife.
    All it takes is checking when it expires and keeping a note. Then after that date, honey did you renew it? Then check if you want. Don't blame others unless she lied to you.

  • computer barn find on 12/03/2022 - 17:17

    I think they made the fine enough so that its more expensive than just paying rego, it looks like something like twice the rego cost. I guess the idea is you have to drive unregistered for 2 years for it to be worthwhile and the assumption is they you were driving for a while. If you can prove it wasn't deliberate it might be worth fighting, did you pay it for your other car then you might argue that aren't the type to deliberately not pay rego.

  • Thatsgold on 12/03/2022 - 21:26

    I feel for you OP, sorry all this happened.
    Good luck with everything and hope your wife's health improves.

  • [Deactivated] on 13/03/2022 - 03:57
    -1

    Damnnn, you get fined for not being insured? RIP.

  • morse on 13/03/2022 - 08:05

    It’s unfortunate but you’ll most likely need to pay up. Back in the day there was more leniency for things like this, but it’s pretty strict now.

    I suggest you use it as an opportunity to sit down go through all your finances and bills and set up a calendar that reminds you both. Chances are if you missed this you might be missing other things that could end up costing you fees, interest or land you in some other kind of trouble.

    If necessary see a financial counsellor https://moneysmart.gov.au/managing-debt/financial-counsellin… They can help you manage your bills and any debt and are free. Most fines can be payed off gradually as well if you need that.

  • angryasian on 13/03/2022 - 09:32

    Take ownership, move on and use this energy to organise your life rather than losing a battle that is cut and dried. Grow up.

  • Pet20220224 on 13/03/2022 - 09:46

    Hi there, I went through a similar situation… was driving a registered car to pick up something heavy for mum but I had no L on me (international license expired). i was given a similar 1.4k fine + 3 months suspension
    police who pulled me over said i could take it to court if i had a situation.
    so i did, and at court i explained to the judge that i wasn't familiar with the local law and (after international license expired) was in process getting my L, i also explained to him that i needed the license to travel to regional communities to carry out work (was working for government at the time), i also submitted a reference letter on my personal characters from a family friend who is a professor.
    the verdict is: i still had to pay the fee, but the 3 months suspension was waived which means i could sit for my L test asap which was more important to me at the time as I needed the license for work and losing the license means losing the job. hope my story helps.

  • rlf on 13/03/2022 - 11:45

    They send you plenty of reminders. As often as maybe 3 times before it expires and would bombard you when it expires.

  • Name on 13/03/2022 - 14:09

    That's why they shouldn't have got rid of the rego sticker you put in your windscreen! That made it so much easier to remember as you see the expiry date every day and the colour change between periods helped as well.

    Not sure what rms has but the qld version of the app you can set reminders.

    • yokel on 13/03/2022 - 15:04

      They should charge $10 a year more for those who want the sticker

      • prodrome on 13/03/2022 - 16:09

        Rego should be $10 a year.

        • yokel on 13/03/2022 - 18:31

          For boats yes

  • LukeBP on 13/03/2022 - 17:10

    Driving a vehicle is a responsibility — There is a moral/civic duty to ensure you are insured. If you hit somebody and paralyze them without CTP they're going to be caught out without compensation bar suing you. I am glad that the state government takes the appropriate steps to punish those who don't take the appropriate steps to protect others. Driving without CTP risks the livelihoods of others (unlike 3rd party/compo which is mainly for the benefit of the insured). The offense is more similar to speeding (risks others) rather than wearing a motorbike helmet/seatbelt (protects yourself).

    Vehicle registration is available within the SNSW app and you typically get a renewal email in advance from the insurer, AND SNSW marketing communications via email..

    Is this health condition relevant to the safe operation of the vehicle?

    Pay the fine, might be eligible for a payment plan or deferment if there are circumstances that are reasonable. Waiving the fine in court is not an option… Maybe if it had expired the day before, paid it and it hadn't been updated in their system it would be valid to waive the fine. Or if the trip in question was to an esafety station. If there's no evidence of payment prior to the trip what would they be waiving it for?

  • Whomastadon on 13/03/2022 - 17:25
    +2

    OP should also get the government to send him reminders to brush his teeth and wipe his bum

  • echelon6 on 13/03/2022 - 18:58

    I was late with my rego last year and they certainly do send emails and mail reminders

  • [Deactivated] on 16/03/2022 - 09:35
    +1

    If you are driving an unregistered car, insurance is useless according to my knowledge. So you saved money there. I was caught once after driving for 10 months without registering because they sent my letter to my old address even though I updated my new address and I paid insurance for that whole period which is useless and they don't refund that as well. I paid the same amount of fine. I took it as an adventure and a lesson. They don't waive these fines. It's a waste of time.

    • CuriousMeerkat on 16/03/2022 - 13:06

      Yes. I strongly believe that address updates don't work and they send reminders at your old address.

      • Drpepper666 on 16/03/2022 - 14:41

        Believe? So you didn't check your registered address still?

        • CuriousMeerkat on 16/03/2022 - 22:22

          What I mean is.. despite changing the address the reminder letters still go to your old address. So that way.. it doesn't work.

  • apsilon on 26/03/2022 - 19:04
    +2

    NSW has introduced yet another way to get rego reminders: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/digital-vehicle-r…

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