Warning over driving licence website
Friday, 18 January 2008 20:16
The Road Safety Authority has said it has notified gardaí and the European Commission about a website, which claims to sell driving licences from other EU countries.
Speedlicence.com claims it can legally obtain driving licences from nine EU states by exploiting a legal loophole.
The website asks customers to send a photograph, a signature, a copy of a current driving licence or passport and a €400 fee.
For those who do not have a passport or driving licence, the website also claims it can obtain a licence from a country outside the EU, which can then be exchanged for an EU licence at a cost of €600.
The site promotes the sale of these licences for people who have failed their test or who have lost their licences because of traffic offences.
Gardaí have said the licences have no legal status and do not give people the entitlement to drive.
They say the licences do look different and that they are aware of what to look out for if the licences are produced to them.
The Consumers Association has warned the public against purchasing one of these licences.
The association's Chief Executive, Dermot Jewell, said the legality of these licences were questionable.
He said it was a perfect example of how easy it can be to encourage people to give their personal information.
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