MOTOR LICENCES

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 197, 9 November 1927, Page 18

MOTOR LICENCES

CERTAIN VEHICLES TO BE EXEMPTED ROAD AND WHARF WORK (THE SUN’S Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The reintroduction of exemption of Government and local-body vehicles from the requirements of being licensed under the Motor Vehicles Act, provided that they are used solely for road-construction and road-mainten-ance, is the purpose of amendments to the Motor Vehicles Amendment Bill which were introduced into the House of Representatives to-day by Gov-ernor-General’s message.

The Minister of Public Works, the Hon. K. S. Williams, explained that vehicles used by private roading firms would also be exempted, provided that they were designed and used exclusively for roading purposes and could not be used or readily adapted for use for any other purposes. The distinction was made to prevent abuse of privilege so that, in case of public vehicles, motor lorries used exclusively for road-metal cartage would be exempted, but these vehicles would not be exempted in the case of private roading firms. Provision is made for the exemption of tractors and trailers belonging to harbour boards from the requirements of the Motor Vehicles Act relating to registration. “These vehicles are used on a limited portion of the roads, on very infrequent occasions when the wharves are congested,” said the Minister, “and as the Wellington Harbour Board alone has over 200 of them it is considered that boards have a good case for exemption.” The object of a further amendment is to restrict, as far as possible, abuses in the use of dealers’ plates. It has been pointed out to the department that this is desirable in view of the concession proposed to be given by the Bill enabling dealers’ plates to be used by dealers for any part of their business. The proposal prohibits their use on Sundays and at night time during the week.

A final amendment brings the licensing year for drivers’ licences into line with the licensing year for motor vehicles. so that an owner may obtain both licences on the same day.