Elderly man drives for almost 40 years without a license

A 64-year-old man of Chester Cottage has been driving a vehicle for approximately 40 years without being the holder of a driver’s licence. And this was only discovered when he appeared in court to answer to a charge relating to his driving status.

Joseph Williams appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court before Senior Magistrate, Colin John on Thursday, April 4, 2024, where he pleaded guilty that on Monday, April 1, 2024, at the Campden Park Public Road, being the driver of motor vehicle PJ548, he did drive that said vehicle without a driver’s permit.

Williams also pleaded guilty to driving the said vehicle without there being in force a policy of insurance in respect of third party risk; and for driving the vehicle without a license.

Williams was charged for these offences when the police was called to the scene of an accident in Campden Park where another vehicle alleged crashed into the vehicle Williams was driving.

It was not until the Senior Magistrate asked Williams how long he had gone without owning a driver’s permit that the police were finding out that he had been driving without one for approximately 40 years.

When John asked Williams when was the last time he was in possession of a driver’s permit, Williams responded, “80’s, early 90’s.”

Williams told the court that he was born in 1960 and has spent the last couple years of his life working as a mechanic at a garage which is owned by one Ken Thomas.

The Senior Magistrate told Williams that it is “very irresponsible of you for your age” to be committing such offences.

When sentencing, John considered Williams age, his guilty plea, and that he “might need to drive because of his source of employment.” The Senior Magistrate said that he therefore will not prohibit Williams from obtaining a driver’s permit, but will fine him $500 on each count to be paid in one month.