A MEPUNGA driver found in a light tip truck on the side of the road at night with the engine running and lights on has been fined for not having an endorsed licence.
Basil Hall, 61, of Childers Cove Road, pleaded guilty in Warrnambool Magistrates Court to not having the correct licence and was convicted and fined $350.
Police alleged that on June 9 at 2.10am, officers saw a stationary tip truck on the side of the Great Ocean Road at Mepunga facing south with the lights on and engine running.
Hall only had a car licence, not a light truck licence to drive the 5.6-tonne truck.
Defence counsel Justin Serong said his client had his licence immediately suspended and had spent the past four months off the road.
He said Hall had no prior offences and a clean 43-year driving record while farming beef cattle at Mepunga.
Mr Serong claimed his client did not make inquiries about any additional licence requirements he needed to drive the truck and literally had no idea he was breaking the law. He said that Hall had found the truck very useful and intended to get an endorsed licence.
Magistrate Jonathan Klestadt said he found it unusual due to Hall’s age and experience that he was completely ignorant of the licence requirements, but he added that Hall had already served four months off the road.
Hall was convicted and fined $350 with $69.70 costs.