Claire Frances Graham, 51, appeared in the Gore District Court on Wednesday to make an application for a limited licence.
A limited licence can be granted by the court if suspended or disqualified drivers face significant hardship to themselves or others because of an inability to drive.
The defendant had previously racked up 23 speeding infringements, 19 of which were in the past eight years.
She also had 14 charges of driving unlawfully, which included getting behind the wheel in vehicles not roadworthy.
She had been caught driving with excess demerits six times.
Graham was charged for driving while suspended in 2005, for careless driving in 2008 and driving while disqualified in 2016 and 2018.
Judge Mark Williams said the defendant’s driving history was ‘‘really bad’’.
Graham’s lawyer, Melanie Coxen, said her client had been engaged with her rehabilitation.
She had attended driving lessons and gained a full driver’s licence and doing so made her a ‘‘driving advocate’’.
The defendant started a solo cleaning and inspection business in December 2025, which required driving, so a limited licence was sought, Ms Coxen said.
The lawyer said the venture was a ‘‘budding success’’ and Graham not being given a licence would be a ‘‘big blow to her rehabilitation’’.
Ms Coxen said the defendant was on a methadone programme and had reduced the dose.
Graham’s lawyer said if the defendant was granted a limited licence, she ‘‘won’t let anyone down’’.
After bring caught speeding and driving unlawfully dozens of times, the police said in court Graham should not be driving because it was a risk to ‘‘public safety’’.
Judge Williams said previous convictions had not deterred her from reoffending.
She was not granted a limited licence.
