Probationary Term For Drivers

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30858, 17 September 1965, Page 1

Probationary Term For Drivers

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, September 16. The Government intends to institute probationary drivers’ licences for new drivers and certain other drivers.

The probationary licences may be subject to revocation or suspension on conviction for a driving offence, and may involve other yet-unspecified restrictions on full driving privileges.

Special, lower speed limits, as apply to learner-plate motorcyclists at present, are one strong possibility. Plans are also reported to involve special identification of cars driven by probationers, possibly through a sticker system or Lplates. Those subject to the special control of probationary licences will be: Ail new drivers of any age, for two years, except 15-year-olds, who will have to hold probationary licences for three years. The minimum age for securing a full licence will thus become 18. Those who have been disqualified from driving for a year or more, who will be on probation for 12 months from the end of the disqualification period.

Those who have let their full licence lapse for three consecutive years or more. They will be initially entitled to a probationary licence only. A Transport Amendment Bill introduced in Parliament today does no mor? than authorise the making of detailed regulations on probationary licences.

Full details of the scheme, and the date from which it will begin, will therefore not be known until after the passage of the legislation. The regulations will prescribe periods of probation and conditions which will apply. They may also, according to the bill, provide for revocation or suspension of a probationary licence on the conviction of the holder “for an offence in connexion with the driving of a motor vehicle.” FLAW REMEDIED A flaw in existing law demonstrated in a recent decision by Mr M. C. Astley, S.M., of Auckland, is repaired. Mr Astley held that by-laws prohibiting the standing of vehicles in a road are ultra vires, even though regulations prescribing the appropriate signs allow the use of the words “no standing” as an alternative to “no stopping.”

A clause In the latest legislation expressly authorises the making of by-laws to prohibit or restrict the “standing” of vehicles. It also retrospectively validates existing by-laws and regulations. The already-announced scheme for the Transport Department to provide free traffic enforcement for local bodies maintaining their own traffic officers is authorised.

The bill stipulates that where such an arrangement is made, the whole of the cost

of the enforcement will be met by the crown, with one exception: if the department is required to enforce provisions relating to parking meters, lots of buildings for which fees are charged an agreed amount will be paid by the local body to the department. VOLUNTARY SCHEME The transfer of control is voluntary. None of the local bodies which do their own traffic policing has so far accepted. Some have rejected the offer and several are still considering it. Legal provisions for the scheme will take effect from November 1. County councils are empowered to close temporarily, for all or some vehicles, “nonessential” county roads where, because of weather, continued use could cause damage. For the purposes of thirdparty risk insurance “persons in a vehicle” will include any “on” a vehicle.

Vehicles taking part in races or speed trials are exempted from provisions for third-party risk insurance, provided the event is promoted by a body including races or trials in its objects. In such cases, promoters will have to take out full liability insurance. EXEMPTED Milk and cream cartage is exempted from transport licensing procedures. A present requirement for the Commissioner of Transport to prescribe a fixed additional charge for one-way hirings of rental vehicles is dropped. The, Minister of Transport (Mr McAlpine) said when introducing the bill that he hoped to introduce further transport legislation on Tuesday. The second bill, which the Minister said would be controversial, would deal with motor taxation, he said. It is understood private-car owners will not be affected and that the bill will concentrate on commercial vehicle taxation, including adjustments in heavy traffic fees.