A Melbourne Uber driver fined for operating without accreditation, has won his appeal, effectively legalising the service for drivers in Victoria.
Nathan Brenner was found guilty in December of various charges, including the absence of a commercial vehicle licence, which saw him fined $900.
According to a report by the ABC, the 54-year-old had been offered a lower fine on the condition that he promise to discontinue his work for Uber.
However, Mr Brenner’s lawyer said that his client could not agree to such terms.
Though it took months to change the verdict, on the morning of Wednesday 18 May, a County Court judge ruled in his favour with the charges lifted and the fine overturned.
Mr Brenner’s legal costs have been passed on to the Victorian Taxi Services Commissioner, Graeme Samuel, who says he was disappointed with the outcome.
“It just reveals that there is a loophole or deficiency in the law that will have to be dealt with by government,” said Mr Samuel.