NEVER HEARD OF IT

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 145, 22 June 1938, Page 10

NEVER HEARD OF IT

MOTORIST WITHOUT LICENCE

A motorist who had never heard of or seen a driving licence until he was stopped by the police for speedtog was a defendant at Birmingham Police Court last month, the "Manchester Guardian" reports. He was Alan W. Nicholson, of Oakfleld Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham, and he was fined 30s for exceeding the speedlimit, 20s for having no driving licence, and 20s for not having an effective insurance policy. It was explained that he had been driving for five years and had regularly taken out an insurance policy, but this was not effective, as he had never been the holder of a driver's licence.

Constable Sheppard said that when stopped the defendant produced his insurance certificate and also membership cards for certain motor organisations. He had no driving licence, however, and when asked for it said that he had never seen or heard of one. The witness showed him the licence of the police car driver so that he could see what one was like.

In Court Nicholson again said that he had never %eard of a driving licence, and that was why he had not taken one out. He had never been stopped before. . On the application of his solicitor, the Bench agreed not to disqualify the 1 defendant from driving on the insurance summons "in view of the special circumstances." Nicholson produced a provisional licence which he had now taken out, and this was endorsed on the speeding summons.