A Singaporean woman, Ang Jia Hui, 32, was sentenced to 36 days in jail and fined S$800 for driving without a licence and proper insurance coverage. She was caught at a police roadblock and initially denied the offence. Ang took to the roads to save money on driving lessons, guided by her 62-year-old boyfriend, Koh Chee Kwee, who was the authorised driver of the leased vehicle. Koh received the same jail sentence and a S$700 fine. Both are disqualified from holding or obtaining all classes of driving licences for two years.
Background
Ang and Koh, who were formerly colleagues and in a romantic relationship, lived together in Boon Lay. On the night of January 3, 2023, Koh picked up Ang from her friend’s house and agreed to guide her driving practice despite knowing she lacked a valid Class 3 driving licence. This was Ang’s first time driving a car, as she had not taken any practical driving lessons before.
What happened
After 11pm on January 3, 2023, Koh drove to Block 441 Jurong West Avenue 1 to pick up Ang. She expressed her lack of confidence in driving and requested Koh’s guidance to save on driving lessons. Koh agreed and drove to a bus stop along Boon Lay Way, where they switched seats, and he guided her verbally.
Drove on multiple roads
Ang drove from the Boon Lay Way bus stop to Tuas Avenue 3 via the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE). She then drove to the top floor of an industrial car park along Tuas Avenue 3. The couple decided she would drive back to their residence, navigating through Tuas Avenue 3, Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim, AYE, Yuan Ching Road, Hu Ching Road, and Corporation Road.
Stopped at road block
Their actions were noticed by two police officers from the Jurong West Neighbourhood Police Centre, who had set up a roadblock along Corporation Road around 1am on January 4, 2023. Ang and Koh decided to stop the car at the side of the road and switch seats to make it appear as if Koh was driving. However, their seat-swapping was observed by the officers from a distance.
Questioned by police about swapping seats
At the roadblock, the couple was asked to step out of the vehicle for a spot check. They lied about stopping to retrieve a work-related file and denied swapping seats. Koh claimed he was the rightful driver of the leased vehicle.
Warned about lying
The officer repeatedly warned Ang and Koh about the consequences of providing false statements. Despite the warnings, they persisted in their lie. The officer took their particulars and informed them they needed to report to an investigating officer for further investigations. On January 13, 2023, the couple decided to confess their actions to the investigating officer.
Legal consequences
Both Ang and Koh pleaded guilty to three charges: driving without a licence, using a motor vehicle without insurance coverage, and obstructing the course of justice. Two additional charges were taken into consideration. The penalties for these offences include up to three years in jail and a fine of up to S$10,000 for driving without a licence, up to three months in jail and a fine of up to S$1,000 for using a vehicle without insurance, and up to seven years in jail or a fine for obstructing justice.
Future implications
The case highlights the severe consequences of driving without proper documentation and attempting to deceive law enforcement. Both Ang and Koh are now disqualified from holding or obtaining any class of driving licence for two years, impacting their mobility and daily lives. This incident serves as a cautionary tale for others considering similar actions to save money on driving lessons.
