RENEWING DRIVING LICENSES.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20905, 12 July 1933, Page 10

RENEWING DRIVING LICENSES.

MORE SUITABLE METHOD WANTED. "A more convenient and suitable method of renewing driving licenses is greatly needed," said Mr F. W. Johnston, president of the South Island Motor Union, at a meeting of the council of the Canterbury Automobile Association last evening. Mr Johnston was reporting on an interview he and the secretary of the association (Mr J. S. Hawkes) had with the Commissioner of Transport, Mr J. S. Hunter. Mr Hunter, said Mr Johnston, according to the requirements of some local authorities, seemed somewhat surprised that in cases of renewals full particulars had to be set out each year. He outlined what the procedure was in the Hutt council. He was very sympathetic, and was of the opinion that an improvement might be made and a more simple and uniform method for renewals of licenses adopted. "Our chief traffic inspector, Mr H. Macintosh, is an extremely conscientious man," said Mr Johnston. The word "personal" appeared on the application form, but many locol bodies in New Zealand ignored that It was often difficult and inconvenient to make a personal application. The question was of particular interest to Christchurch motorists. The suggestion was to file an application for renewal, together with the customary declaration as to health, such as that the applicant had not developed epilepsy. As regards age, it would be necessary to say that the applicant was one year older. That was done by the Hutt County Council, although it was still necessary to make personal application. However, the renewal was stamped on the old license, and that saved a lot of time. Mr Hunter was sympathetic, and promised to consider the situation. If applications were made by post it would be only fair to enclose selfaddressed stamped envelopes. The president, Mr W. R. Carey: We would be glad to do that. It is the time we waste that is the trouble. The report was adopted.