A MOTOR A.B.C.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 June 1932, Page 3

A MOTOR A.B.C.

THE NEW REGISTRATION

NUMBERS,

WHAT THE LETTERS MEAN

With the exception of R.U.Y. and Z. all twenty-six letters of the alphabet are .used in conjunction .with numbers of this year’s issue of registration plans for motor vehicles. The letter N. has been used in., cental South Island Districts, otherwise the letters do not denote the place .<*,' registration. The aim has been H keep the uunujjuls within fiv-e digits and to make this possible, ears in these South Island Provinces have bee«n re-numbered with the addition of the letter X to avoid confusion.

It is possible however to, tell hv the. numbers themselves in winch clis ti'ict a vehicles has,,]>ee’.i. registered, ,

The numbers have been apportioned ,as follows : —Wellington numher.s run from , 1 to Palpier^iojP, North, 14,001 to 22,5C0; Wanganui. 22,501 to 28.100; New Plymouth, 28.101 to 35,500; Napier, 35.501 to 42,400; Gisborne, 42,401 to 45,800; Hamilton, 45,801 to 55,800; Thames, 55..801 to 60,000; Auckland, 60.001 : b--81 700 to 88,400; Dunedin 83,401' to 96,800; Oamarn, 96,801 to 98,900 p Timaru, XI to X 5000; C’hrk'tclmrch,' NSOOI to X22.2C0; Grevmouth, X22,201. to X 23.600; Westport X 23.601 to X 27,000 and Blenheim X2”,001 to X28,700,. ••••• • j - .

The system of registration has been completely altered this year, for th,e numbers allocated to various Provinces for private vehicles ha.- changed, and a scheme to classify vehicles order the heavy traffic regulation's, to meet the classification of roads l" local authorities has also come into force. ;

Some of the letters have an ohvimv meaning. For instance, T. .stands for, taxi, 8. for service car, and D. for,: demonstration car. : TWO LETTER VEHICLES. What has interested the public most is the carrying of two letters;.. . This arises out of the classification, o heavy traffic vehicles, y The letter H. preceding the number indicates the it is registered under the. heavy., vehicles regulations where tile minimum load carried is 2 tons. For,.each additional half-ton the letters A. to Q. have been allocated; as the gross load increased there is a corresppndinnletter. These are issued by tli'e, local authorities, and are supposed tp. b p affixed under the final .right, hard nnme’'f>l of the number. .Many drivers have them on the same level as the number; others have been preceding it. In time they will be required to-comp’y with a uniform practice of carrying,it under the final numbers. Incidental];, tha registration feo/foi; a, veiliellicensed to carry the m’aximpm .load of ten tons is £75 for one with soli' tyres, and £63 for one with pneumatic tyres. Such a vehicle would carry t]ie distinguishing letter.' H.. before Hie number, and Q under.the final number,

Commercial vehicles.-such pis vans and lorries, which do not come under., the heavy traffic regulations, are designated by the letter L. preceding the number. E. indicates exemot’orfi under the Act (local body vehicles used for road work) P. for publm omnibuses.' and G. the vehicles used for Government purposes.