USE OF RENTAL CARS

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22656, 10 March 1939, Page 10

USE OF RENTAL CARS

, New Regulations Issued STATEMENT BY MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT (I>BESS ASSOCIA.TIO* TELIGEAU.) WELLINGTON, March 9. Rental vehicles are brought within the scope of the Transport Licensing Act by warrant published in the Gazette to-night. The Minister for Transport,' the Hon. R. Semple, in an interview this evening said that as a result of the large number of serious accidents involving rental cars (“drive yourself” hire cars), the Road Safety Council had recommended at a recent meeting that they be brought under the provisions of the act in order that they might.be more effectively controlled. This recommendation had been adopted and the necessary issued. The actual requirements will ® become effective on March 24. Mr Semple said that the proposals were fully discussed with the Rental Car Proprietors’ Association and had the full support and endorsement of that organisation. “The effect will be that a rental car business cannot be carried on without a licence obtained from the licensing authority through the Transport Department,” said the Minister. "This applies to all firms who hire out vehicles, without a driver, to the public for a consideration. “Forms of application are available from the department and its branches, and are being forwarded immediately to all firms recorded as running this type of business. The regulations are chiefly of an administrative nature, but an important provision is that no person under the age of 21 may hire a rental vehicle, although this does not prevent the actual hirer of a vehicle permitting a minor to drive it, provided the minor holds a driver’s licence. “A standard form of hiring agreement is in the regulations, and an inspection system for vehicles is included on a six months’ basis.” The Gazette also contains amendments to the registration plate regulations and third party insurance regulations, these being chiefly consequential on the control for rental vehicles. It is provided in the amendment to the registration plate regulations that any person applying for plates for rental vehicles must present to the deputy-registrar an appropriate licence under the Transport Licensing Act.