Heavy fine

Styrian falsified doctor’s certificate for driving license?

Symbolic image(Bild: P. Huber)

Did a Styrian man (70) try to conceal his diabetes before taking a driving test for a trailer? He and others went on trial in Graz on Wednesday.

"It sounds complicated, but it's not," began public prosecutor Eva Pachernigg. "The first defendant needed a certificate for a driving test (for a trailer for his jet ski, note). His insulin-dependent diabetes was noted in the first one, which resulted in a negative report. A temporary driving license was unpleasant for him. So he went to another doctor and concealed his diabetes. However, the first negative report had already been sent to the authorities. "So he had to find a way to make it disappear," explains the prosecutor.

A friend's daughter, who works at the district authority, then asked a colleague to delete the email. Which he did. The three of them were also in the dock on Wednesday.

I can't remember what I ticked. I'm 70, I don't take a driving test every day.

Der Angeklagte

Matthias Strampfer, defense attorney for the driver's license candidate, explained that the first certificate had only been issued by the wrong medical officer of the wrong authority. Hence the second certificate for the correct authority. "My client has been a diabetic for over 30 years, he has never made a secret of it. And a temporary driving license is nothing unusual for a 70-year-old."

"I was nervous"
The 70-year-old was unable to explain why he confirmed his diabetes in the first certificate. "I was nervous. I don't remember what I ticked." Verdict: fines of up to 14,100 euros, suspended sentences - not legally binding.