Last June (2018), I was stopped by a garda and had my details taken as my tax was out of date. I also did not have my drivers license with me but I had an expired BE Learner Permit which I showed to the Garda as It had my Drivers number on it. I have held a full drivers licence since 1998. I paid the car tax the next morning and took it to the local GARDA station and they made a note.
In september, I got a fixed penalty notice for not having tax displayed in June - I paid this. I also got a fixed penalty notice for Driving Unaccompanied. I wrote to the relevant Garda section and explained that I had a full licence - this query was accepted and no further action required.
In December, I have two court summons arrive. The first for driving without insurance and the second for failing to produce.
I was fully insured at the time and my insurance disc was displayed. I have all my insurance documents showing that I renew every April. I visited the Garda station several times since December and tried numerous times to meet the Garda - but I have had no response. I took my insurance documents to the station where the Garda is based and they made a note. My court date is next Wednesday.
I should also add that the registration number on all the documents is incorrect, only by a letter but incorrect all the same.
my question is do I need to engage a solicitor for the court appearance or can i just go and explain to the judge that I had insurance displayed and also that I wasn’t asked to produce insurance. I would have produced it with my tax when I visited the station had I been asked.
I am trying to avoid the expense of having a solicitor on the day.
Would be very grateful for any advice.
Thanks for reading
In september, I got a fixed penalty notice for not having tax displayed in June - I paid this. I also got a fixed penalty notice for Driving Unaccompanied. I wrote to the relevant Garda section and explained that I had a full licence - this query was accepted and no further action required.
In December, I have two court summons arrive. The first for driving without insurance and the second for failing to produce.
I was fully insured at the time and my insurance disc was displayed. I have all my insurance documents showing that I renew every April. I visited the Garda station several times since December and tried numerous times to meet the Garda - but I have had no response. I took my insurance documents to the station where the Garda is based and they made a note. My court date is next Wednesday.
I should also add that the registration number on all the documents is incorrect, only by a letter but incorrect all the same.
my question is do I need to engage a solicitor for the court appearance or can i just go and explain to the judge that I had insurance displayed and also that I wasn’t asked to produce insurance. I would have produced it with my tax when I visited the station had I been asked.
I am trying to avoid the expense of having a solicitor on the day.
Would be very grateful for any advice.
Thanks for reading