Call to avert last-minute rush

Press, 14 June 1978, Page 5

Call to avert last-minute rush

Motorists are urged to relicense their cars and renew their drivers’ licences “as soon as possible” to avoid a rush at the end of the month.

The Ministry of Transport and the Post Office both report a very slow-response to relicensing and renewal of drivers’ licences. Motor relicensing opened at the beginning of this month while motorists have had the opportunity to renew their drivers’ licences since May 1.

By last Friday 668 persons had renewed their drivers’ licences compared with 7417 at the same time last year. This leaves about 27,000 licences to be renewed by the end of this month. Renewal of a driver’s licence can be done by post. The licence must be sent to a Ministry of Transport office with a stamped addressed envelope and 50c, indicating how long the licence is to be renewed for (a maximum of five years).

The Ministry of Transport has an office in Owles Ter-

race. New Brighton and in the Sumner Community Hall to enable people living in these areas to renew their licences.

Driving tests for people over 70 and the five-yearly eye tests for people over 50 must also be completed by June 30.

“The Ministry of Transport urges people to complete these tests and renew their drivers’ licences as soon as possible to avoid a rush at the end of the month. This will take the strain off, which was experienced last year when we had 2191 persons come in on one day towards the end of the month,” said Mr J. L. Shelling, who is in charge of the drivers’ licence section of the Ministry of Transport.

The number of car relicensings is also down on last year. By June 9, 10,056 cars had been relicensed compared with 14,204 at the same time last year. The Post Office will have; to handle about 150,000 relicensings before June 30.