Change to transport licensing laws

Press, 17 May 1984, Page 16

Change to transport licensing laws

PA Wellington Rental vehicle companies will have to offer a comprehensive insurance package to hirers from December 1, according to new transport licensing regulations. The insurance package would replace the present system under which the hirer’s liability to the rental vehicle owner in an accident was limited to $5OO and there was no provision for third party cover, said the Acting Minister of Transport, Mr Malcolm.

The new insurance provisions are similar in effect to private motor vehicle insurance policies and ensure for the first time that comprehensive cover is provided for all hirers of rental vehicles.

The new provisions are contained in transport

licensing regulations approved by the Cabinet. The regulations generally establish procedures for implementing the new quality licensing system from June 1. The present requirement for a prospective entrant to provide a need for the service will be abolished and replaced with criteria based on the entrant’s suitability to hold a licence.

A number of changes to vehicle documentation will be made in the regulations. The vehicle authority for trucks has been abolished and replaced with a new, circular, sticky label for the windscreen.

It will apply to both licensed goods and passenger vehicles and will improve licensing law enforcement.

A further enforcement

measure is a rail exemption certificate for goods carriers which include details of any exemptions from the 150 km rail restriction.

Carriers have until December 31 to comply with the new requirements. The collection of fees paid by carriers for holding a transport licence will now be done by the Post Office at annual motor vehicle relicensing time.

Mr Malcolm said transport licensing fees had effectively been left at the same level as last year. However, users of goods, rental and taxicab licences would notice a change of fees because of the charges being standardised for administrative purposes.