Image via standard.net.au //

One expensive driving lesson…

After sparking nationwide outrage for fining a 17-year-old girl $1600 for going on a driving lesson with her mum, Victoria Police has decided to withdraw the hefty fine after booking her for “non-essential travel”.

“We didn’t think for one minute that we would be doing anything wrong. We weren’t in contact with any person, we weren’t stopping anywhere, we weren’t planning on visiting any destination,” the girls mother Sharee Reynolds said. “We were just learning to drive in those conditions and we were pulled over by the police”.

“The police officer said we were too far from home and we would cop a fine, and that Hunter (the woman’s daughter) would be the person to receive that fine.”

Victoria’s Health Minister Jenny Mikakos agreed with the polices’ decision however, saying “You should be staying at home at every opportunity. That doesn’t include taking your child on a learner driver experience”.

For those asking – yes – we’ve seen a copy of the actual infringement notice handed yesterday to a 17yo L Plater having a training drive with mum in the rain yesterday. pic.twitter.com/VjZTkNJVni

— Heidi Murphy (@heidimur) April 6, 2020

However, South Australia and NSW have asserted that learner drivers won’t be fined for driving lessons as they are classified as “a learning activity that cannot be done from home”.

Meanwhile, NSW Police oppose Victoria, give OK for learner drivers – and instructors – to drive. https://t.co/o1DTjK00Fj pic.twitter.com/ia3CIWmNUs

— Matt Young (@MattYoung) April 6, 2020

In a recent press conference, Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said he was considering withdrawing fine but defended Victoria Police and stressed that L-Platers shouldn’t be out driving unless it is “essential”.

“Are we able to send a message to the public without having to fine in this circumstance? I think the fact it’s been raised has given actual clarity to the circumstance so it’s quite possible to be withdrawn because the public is now aware they can’t be doing that activity unless it’s mixed in with driving to the shops, where you are exempt to go buy food, those sorts of things,” the commissioner said.

“What Victorians should be doing – the vast majority are – is saying, ‘I must stay at home unless I have to go out for one of those four essential reasons’, that’s the approach they should be adopting, all the time, up to and including Easter.”