Victoria’s only reliable 24-hour legal service.
Call us on (03) 9870 1959
Victoria’s only reliable 24-hour legal service.
Call us on (03) 9870 1959
Charged with a traffic offence in Melbourne? Paul Vale Criminal Law represents clients in drink driving, drug driving, speeding and licence matters. Traffic offences in Victoria can range from lower-level infringement matters to serious criminal driving charges that place your licence, livelihood and freedom at risk.
At Paul Vale Criminal Law, our lawyers advise and represent clients facing a wide range of driving and road-related offences, from first appearance through to plea, contested hearing or sentence. Many traffic matters are dealt with in the Magistrates’ Court, but the consequences can still be severe, including fines, licence loss, a criminal record and, in some cases, imprisonment.
Charged with a traffic offence in Melbourne? Paul Vale Criminal Law represents clients in drink driving, drug driving, speeding and licence matters. Traffic offences in Victoria can range from lower-level infringement matters to serious criminal driving charges that place your licence, livelihood and freedom at risk.
At Paul Vale Criminal Law, our lawyers advise and represent clients facing a wide range of driving and road-related offences, from first appearance through to plea, contested hearing or sentence. Many traffic matters are dealt with in the Magistrates’ Court, but the consequences can still be severe, including fines, licence loss, a criminal record and, in some cases, imprisonment.
Driving is a privilege that we sometimes take for granted. It is always the driver’s responsibility to ensure that he or she has a valid licence before starting the engine. Victoria has very stringent traffic laws and one of the easiest ways for an otherwise upstanding individual to end up in gaol is by repeatedly driving whilst their licence is suspended.
Your driver’s licence can be suspended for a number of reasons including exceeding the demerit points limit. Whilst many offences allow the Magistrate to apply their discretion as to whether your licence should be suspended, certain offences in the Road Safety Act 1986, provide automatic suspension periods.
If your driver’s licence has been suspended, it is an offence to drive your motor vehicle during this suspension period, either in Victoria or interstate. For a first offence, the maximum penalty is 4 months imprisonment, though a fine is the most likely penalty. If you are caught subsequently, the maximum penalty climbs to 2 years imprisonment. These penalties are harsh because the Government wants to emphasize the seriousness of this offence.
When your licence is suspended, it can be very tempting to drive a short distance to pick the children up from school, or to take the back streets to work hoping that the Police would not catch you. But if and when you are intercepted by the Police, you will find yourself before the Court staring at a large fine or possible term of imprisonment. In addition, your licence could be suspended for a further period of time.
Read up on some of our past criminal law cases studies.
Disclaimer: Please be aware that the above piece is NOT intended to be definitive legal advice. If you have enquires relating to the above subject matter, please contact us for an obligation free, face to face consultation.
As of May 2016, the Victorian county court have effectively legalised Uber services in Victoria. While the Victorian government has yet to regulate Uber’s ride sharing services, this definitely changes things for all Victorian Uber drivers.
In light of the growing phenomenon and popularity of online mobile phone application linking passengers to private vehicle drivers, we examine what Victorian legislation currently states regarding the legitimacy of rider/driver connection services like UberX.
Uber drivers are divided into two categories:
UberX – Where the driver needs to be at least 21 years old, with an Australian driver’s license and comprehensive insurance.
UberBlack – Where the driver is liken to a professional chauffeur with a commercial license and commercial auto insurance.
The vehicle licensing requirement ensures that the Commercial Vehicle being driven is roadworthy and safe to drive. UberBlack cars are all required to have the license, whereas UberX does not require their drivers to provide any paperwork in relation to the roadworthiness of their vehicle.
To be a UberBlack driver a person would need accreditation by Taxi Services Commission which entails completing a range of requirements. This is designed to ensure the eligibility and safety of the driver. These requirements include providing a current:
This ensures that they are accredited and licensed to be on the road as an UberBlack driver.
In comparison, to become an UberX driver, the only requirement is for the driver to be:
Though medical records will eventually be required, each new driver has up to 3 months to provide that information.
Finally, it is interesting to note that Uber itself is not a Taxi services provider. While it can be considered that Uber is the world’s largest taxi company they do not actually own taxis but rather they are a service facilitator linking the customer to each individual UberX driver. It is the drivers themselves who are the service provider to the general public. While there are regulations for the Taxi industry, laws specific to companies such as Uber has yet to be formed, which is something to keep in mind for next time you use UberX’s services.
Read up on some of our past criminal law cases studies.
Disclaimer: Please be aware that the above piece is NOT intended to be definitive legal advice. If you have enquires relating to the above subject matter, please contact us for an obligation free, face to face consultation.