At least 8 people charged with driving while under disqualification

SINGAPORE – At least eight people were charged in court on Sept 17 after they were found to have driven motor vehicles while under disqualification orders.

Among them, three men between the ages of 31 and 41 were each handed charges after they were caught offending.

Ng Chin Chye, 41, was driving along Henderson Road on July 28 when he was stopped by the police after an officer spotted him driving without a seat belt.

Upon further checks, Ng was found to be barred from holding or obtaining all classes of driving licences for 60 months from Jan 27. This was after he was previously convicted in November 2024 of driving without due care and attention, causing grievous hurt.

Ng was also sentenced to four months’ jail at the time.

On Sept 17, Ng was charged with driving under disqualification, failing to wear a seat belt, and driving without valid insurance coverage.

Ng’s case has been fixed for another mention on Oct 13.

Lian Jun Jie, 32, was also handed three charges on Sept 17 after he was caught driving a van near Lorong 35 in Geylang.

Earlier on May 20, a police officer stopped Lian during a routine check and found that he was under a disqualification order that prevented him from holding or obtaining any class of driving licence for six months, starting from Feb 20.

He had previously been convicted of using his mobile phone while driving.

Lian, who was in the van with a passenger, is also accused of driving that vehicle on May 20 without the permission of the owner.

On Sept 17, he was charged with driving under disqualification, driving without valid insurance coverage and using the van without the owner’s consent.

Another man, Mathan Raj Kunasegaran, was handed four charges on the same day after he was found to have allegedly driven along the Kranji Expressway without a licence.

Mathan was stopped on the expressway by a police officer who was doing a routine check on March 3, when it was discovered that he was driving under disqualification.

The 31-year-old was previously convicted of driving under the influence and driving without due care and attention some time in 2024. He was then sentenced to a fine and disqualified from holding all classes of driving licences for 30 months.

On Sept 17, Mathan was charged with driving under disqualification, driving a vehicle with expired road tax, driving without valid insurance coverage, and failing to surrender his driving licence to the Traffic Police upon his disqualification order in 2024.

His case will be heard again on Oct 23.

Those convicted of driving under disqualification can be jailed for up to three years, fined up to $10,000, or both. Repeat offenders can be jailed for up to six years, fined up to $20,000, or both.

Those found guilty of driving without insurance coverage can be jailed for up to three months, fined up to $1,000, or both.

Ng and Lian could each also face jail of up to three months or a fine of up to $1,000 if Ng is convicted of failing to wear his seat belt while driving, and if Lian is found guilty of driving the van away without the owner’s consent.

Meanwhile, Mathan faces an additional fine of up to $2,000 if he is found guilty of driving a vehicle with expired road tax.

He can also be jailed for up to three months, fined up to $1,000, or both, if convicted of failing to surrender his driving licence upon his disqualification order.

In a Sept 16 statement, the Traffic Police said it takes offences such as driving without a valid licence and insurance coverage seriously.

“Such reckless and irresponsible acts endanger the safety of the driver and that of other road users. The Traffic Police will continue to step up on its enforcement effort and take firm action against those who disregard the law.”