Uninsured driver thought he was covered in partner’s car

AN Arklow resident facing a charge of driving without insurance thought he was covered to drive his partner’s vehicle, Arklow District Court heard last Wednesday.

David Raziwill, 13 Harbour Court, Arklow, was stopped by gardaí on April 19, 2017, at The Kish, Arklow, by a Garda checkpoint.

He produced a learner permit but there was the name of another person on the insurance permit.

Defence solicitor Pauric Hyland said there were exceptional circumstances behind his client’s predicament.

The vehicle was in the name of Mr Raziwill’s partner. He believed he also satisfied the criteria and could drive the vehicle once he had a licence and the consent of the owner. However, the insurance policy was only valid for another driver if they were over 25 and had a full licence. Mr Raziwill was 24 at the time and only had a provisional licence.

At the time Mr Raziwill was stopped while driving the vehicle, his partner was sitting in the front passenger seat beside him.

Judge David Kennedy gave Mr Raziwill the benefit of the doubt and didn’t issue a driving disqualification but he did impose a fine of €500.