PERMITS FOR USE OF LEFT-HAND DRIVE VEHICLES

Grey River Argus, 14 April 1948, Page 5

PERMITS FOR USE OF LEFT-HAND DRIVE VEHICLES

WELLINGTON, April 13.

The legal position in relation to the use of left-hand drive motor vehicles in New Zealand was defined to-day, in a statement by the Minister of Transport, Hon F. Hackett. The Minister said that, under the Traffic Rgulations, 1936, the use of left-hand drive vehicles was prohibited, but the Commissioner of Transport had power to permit exemptions subject to the vehicles an approved direction indicator affixed. All motor vehicles purchased from the Crown (Government departments or War Assets Realisation Board) have been given a general gazetted exemption for the life of the vehicle, irrespective of any change of ownership, subject to its beiug fitted with an approved direction indicator. ( •Short-term exemption permits have also been issued for tourist vehicles, if they are to be taken out of. the country within a reasonable time. Permits also are generally issued for vehicles for a sufficient term (generally six months) to enable them to change over to right-hand drive. In addition, left-hand drive trucks being used off the main roads for industries, such as coal mining, sawmilling, etc. are being permitted while used for such purposes. The Registrar of motor vehicles (through the post office) was authorised to issue a temporary permit for one month, pending the decision on an application made to the Commissioner of Transport. . “In all cases,” said the Minister, “an approved direction indicator must be fitted and a left-hand drive permit must be carried on the vehicle. It is also a further safetv measure, particularly in the use .ot trucks, if the words Left-Hand Drive are prominently displayed on the rear of the vehicle.