Driving Unregistered
Driving an unregistered vehicle occurs when you drive a motor vehicle when you have failed to register or renew your registration with VicRoads.
Need an experienced driving offences lawyer in Ballarat?
If you’ve been charged with a drink driving offence, received a summons to attend court, been arrested by Victoria Police, or need urgent legal advice, obtaining early legal representation can make a significant difference to how your matter progresses.
At Wilkinson Lawyers, we practise exclusively in criminal law matters across Victoria. We regularly appear at the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court and other metropolitan and regional courts.
How We Can Help
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Talk To An Experienced Traffic Lawyer
Being charged with a ]driving offence is stressful. Many clients contact us after what they describe as the worst day of their life. They are worried about losing their licence, their employment, their reputation, or even their liberty. Our role is to guide you through the legal process, explain your options in plain English, protect your rights and work towards the best available outcome based on the facts of your case.
Whether you intend to plead guilty or contest the allegations, obtaining legal advice as early as possible is one of the most important steps you can take.
Get in direct contact with Jessica Wilkinson now, and receive expert advice on how to deal with your case
Do I have a defence?
Simply arguing that the vehicle did not belong to you, or that you did not know it was unregistered, is generally not a defence to a charge of driving an unregistered vehicle in Victoria. The prosecution is not required to prove that you knew the vehicle’s registration had expired. Instead, they need only establish that the vehicle was unregistered and that you were driving it on a public road.
However, a defence may be available if you honestly and reasonably believed that the vehicle was registered. For example, you may have evidence that you renewed the registration and made payment to VicRoads, but an administrative or processing error meant the registration was not renewed correctly.
Whether a defence is available will depend on the evidence available. If you have been charged with driving an unregistered vehicle or another traffic offence in Victoria, Wilkinson Lawyers can assess your case, advise whether a defence is available, and represent you in court to achieve the best possible outcome.
What should I do?
You are not legally required to have a lawyer. However, criminal proceedings involve rules of evidence, legislation, court procedure and sentencing principles that most people have never encountered.
A lawyer can assist by:
- Explaining the allegations.
- Reviewing the prosecution brief.
- Identifying weaknesses in the evidence.
- Negotiating with police where appropriate.
- Preparing your plea.
- Representing you in court.
- Advising whether a charge should be contested.
- Protecting your legal rights throughout the process.
Even where the allegations appear straightforward, obtaining legal advice can significantly improve your understanding of the options available.
Talk To An Experienced Criminal Lawyer
Get in direct contact with Jessica Wilkinson now, and receive expert advice on how to deal with your case