ATA/281/1997•Indefinite driving licence withdrawal confirmed despite hearing violation
ATA/281/1997Court of Justice / Administrative ChamberApr 29, 1997Confirmed
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The appellant challenged an indefinite withdrawal of his driving licence. Although the lower procedure involved a violation of the right to be heard, the cantonal administrative court held that the defect did not require annulment because it had full powers of review and was not confined to the parties' grounds. On the merits, the court confirmed the measure in view of the appellant's alcohol-related psychological impairment and his ongoing psychotherapeutic treatment. The withdrawal of the licence for an indefinite period was therefore upheld.
OAC 35 para. 1; indefinite withdrawal of a driving licence due to alcohol-related incapacity and effect of a hearing defect on appeal review. A violation of the right to be heard does not necessarily require annulment where the appeal authority has full cognizance and can cure the defect by its own comprehensive examination; it is decisive whether the party had a genuine opportunity to be heard before the reviewing authority. Indefinite withdrawal is justified where medical and behavioural circumstances show that fitness to drive is impaired and the risk persists, particularly in cases of alcohol dependency or related psychological treatment needs.
Descripteurs
CIRCULATION ROUTIERE; ATTEINTE A LA SANTE PSYCHIQUE; ALCOOL; ALCOOLISME; CAPACITE DE CONDUIRE; DROIT D'ETRE ENTENDU; COURSE DE CONTROLE; RETRAIT DE PERMIS; DUREE; DUREE INDETERMINEE; RECIDIVE(INFRACTION); LCR
Normes
OAC.35 al.1
Résumé
Confirmation d'une décision de retrait de permis pour une durée indéterminée en dépit d'une violation du droit d'être entendu, le recourant étant en cours de traitement psychothérapeutique, le TA jouissant d'un plein pouvoir d'examen et n'étant pas lié par les motifs invoqués par les parties.
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Whether the violation of the right to be heard required annulment of the licence withdrawal decision.
The procedural defect did not lead to annulment because the cantonal administrative court had full review powers and was not bound by the parties' reasoning.
A hearing defect can be cured in appeal proceedings where the reviewing court may examine the matter freely and the appellant could be heard effectively before that court.
Whether the indefinite withdrawal of the driving licence was justified.
The indefinite withdrawal was upheld.
The driver’s alcohol-related psychological condition and treatment situation supported the assessment that fitness to drive remained impaired.
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