Warning after woman cops $700 fine for driver's licence mistake: 'Had no idea'
Hayley was unaware her licence was over a month out of date when she was pulled over by highway patrol, fined and told to walk home.
A shocked Australian woman is urging motorists to check their licence expiry dates after being slapped with a $682 on-the-spot fine for unknowingly driving with the out of date document for a month.
NSW social media personality and podcaster Hayley Westoby said she was forced to walk home after being pulled over by highway patrol late last month. The Sydneysider acknowledged she was at fault, though she maintained she had "no idea" her licence had expired long ago.
Questioning whether it was the responsibility of authorities to warn Aussis when their important documents are nearing their expiration dates, Westoby criticised Service NSW for "letting her down".
"I just had no idea, I'm not going to the club every weekend pulling out my licence or seeing the details... I'm certainly not checking my digital licence — and I got no reminders from Service NSW," she said online.
"I really thought at some point I would have had a reminder. I had to cop a $682 fine, leave my car where it was because I was not able to drive it and [I had to] get an Uber home. Don't rely on Service NSW and their systems and processes, because sometimes that will let you down."
Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, a Service NSW spokesperson said the expiry date of a driver licence is clearly marked on the physical copy and on the digital version on the Service NSW app.
Authorities say messaging is clear when it comes to expiring licences
The spokesperson explained that when a person accesses their digital licence online, there is clear messaging on the app which indicates when it is time to renew it.
Also weighing in, a Transport for NSW spokesperson reiterated the message. "Transport for NSW sends a reminder letter to customers to renew their licence at least six weeks before it expires. Customers can renew their licence in person up to six months before it runs out," they told Yahoo News.
"If a customer doesn't renew their licence by the expiry date, Transport will send another reminder letter.
"Once the licence has expired, the holder must not drive until it is renewed. No paper reminder will be sent if the licence is not active, for example if it is suspended due to unpaid fines. It is the holder's responsibility to renew their licence on time and ensure their contact details are kept up-to-date."
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While both NSW government divisions said the onus is on the individual when it comes to licence renewal, some people online agreed with Westoby that reminders are helpful.
"You can claim to the ombudsman that you didn't get a reminder and try recover the fine," one person suggested. "Damn, thanks! Mine expires next month and I didn't even know," another said.
"That is so ridiculous because you can literally renew it online! I can't believe they fined you," commented a third.
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