ARMY DRIVING LICENCES

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24959, 21 August 1946, Page 5

ARMY DRIVING LICENCES

USE FOR PRIVATE VEHICLES MAGISTRATE’S DECISION (P.A.) HASTINGS. August 20. A case of interest to members of the armed forces who were issued with a motor driver’s licence was heard at the Hastings Magistrate’s Court recently. and decision was reserved by Mr J. Miller, S.M. This morning the Magistrate gave judgment for the defendant, holding that a licence issued by Army authorities under the direction of the Commissioner of Transport still held good, though the defendant was driving a private motor vehicle for private and personal reasons. It was submitted on behalf of the defendant by counsel that the defendant was issued with a driver’s licence under emergency regulations which were subsequently revoked, but that the licence was still in force. Counsel contended that the licence could be revoked at any time by the Commissioner, but unless it was so revoked, then it continued in force until the end of the first complete month following the termination of the present war. Counsel submitted that under the Finance Act, 1945, the war had not yet terminated. The police submitted that the licence was issued for a specific period between July 1, 1942, and June 30. 1943, and consequently had lapsed The Magistrate pointed out that if the submission of the police were correct then it would be necessary for a member of the armed forces, when off duty, to obtain another licence to drive a private car. but the Motor Vehicles Act, 1924, gave power to issue only one motor driver’s licence covering the same class of vehicle. The information was dismissed.