Caught with fake driver’s licence - ... but woman said she didn’t know she had to pass exam to get one

A Corporate Area woman who was found driving with a fake driver's licence said that she was not aware she had to pass a driving test in order to be granted the permit.

Marjorie Lander, 43, a cookshop operator, said in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court yesterday that she paid $25,000 to a man who told her that he could get her a driver's licence. She said that she got the permit three days later, but was not aware that it was fake.

"Me never even did know dat you affi go to the driving place to drive for it and dem supme deh," Lander told the court.

"I didn't know that because I didn't even know that they had fake driver's licence," she added.

In order to be issued with a driver's licence, persons must pay an examination fee at the Tax Office and then sit and pass a driving test at an examination depot. The fee for a private driver's licence, issued by the Island Traffic Authority is $5,400, while a general driver's licence costs $7,200.

Lander told the court yesterday that she got a car from her brother and was telling a customer that she needed a driver's licence when an unnamed man interjected and said, 'Muma, you know me can get one fi yuh'."

It was not revealed how long Lander had been driving with the fake driver's licence. However, the court heard that she was stopped on two occasions by cops who did not realise that the document was not authentic.

"You were lucky the first two times, but this officer [who was in court yesterday] was observant," said Chief Parish Judge Chester Crooks, who heard the case.

Lander pleaded guilty to uttering forged documents and conspiracy to defraud. The court heard that on January 3, Lander was driving a motor vehicle when she was signalled to stop by police for failure to comply with road traffic signs. The police enquired about her driver's licence and when checks were made, it was found to be fake.

Having pleaded guilty to uttering forged documents, Crooks fined Lander $30,000 or three months' imprisonment.

She was found guilty of conspiracy to defraud, for which she was fined $20,000 or three months' imprisonment.

Lander had another charge of conspiracy to deceive, which was withdrawn by prosecutors.