A Transport Control Department employee took bribes to grant Portuguese drivers their licenses without passing the theory test.

Magistrates' Court heard that Karen Oliveira abused her position to assist applicants who can't speak English. She received envelopes of cash up to $1,000 at a time in return, but has since confessed to her wrongdoing and handed $4,000 back.

Oliveira escaped a conviction yesterday, with Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner handing her conditional discharge after hearing she's turned "supergrass" against others allegedly involved in corruption at TCD.

According to prosecutor Cindy Clarke, the 40-year-old single mother and former Reserve Police officer was caught out last December. A TCD official became suspicious when a Portuguese man arrived at the department to collect a driving license, despite having not passed the written examination, and Oliveira's signature was on the paperwork.

She admitted that the man did not pass the test because he could not speak English, but she passed him regardless. She also admitted that this was not the first time she'd done that for Portuguese nationals so they could pass the multiple-choice exam.

She was arrested in February and made a full confession, and has since turned "supergrass," assisting Police with two ongoing inquiries relating to TCD.

Oliveira, of Craddock Road, Sandys, was suspended from her job when the allegations surfaced and she has since resigned. She admitted one count of corruption when she appeared at Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Defence lawyer Kim White said Oliveira has a previously clean record and did not set out to do wrong.

"The defendant has embarrassed herself and her family and her former colleagues at TCD by her conduct. She apologises unreservedly," he added.

In answer to questions from Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner, it was established that TCD used to offer the written test in Portuguese, but that has now been withdrawn and applicants must demonstrate some proficiency in English.

The two-year conditional discharge meted out by Mr. Warner means no conviction recorded against Oliveira unless she offends again during that period.

He told her: "It is only because of your level of co-operation...I don't want you or anybody else to think that this is a slap on the wrist or that it is a light sentence."

The case echoes that of another scam at TCD involving Portuguese drivers which came before the Supreme Court three years ago. On that occasion, TCD clerk Kishi Trott licensed ten unqualified drivers – including several men who failed the written tests repeatedly – in exchange for a total of $3,525 cash. Trott pleaded guilty to the five counts of "official corruption" and was jailed for a year.

In order to obtain a Bermuda driver's licence a person must pass a medical and sit a multiple choice exam at TCD. If successful, the candidate is given a certificate and they must then pass the practical driving examination.