SOME NEW POINTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 113, 14 May 1940, Page 9

SOME NEW POINTS

MOTOR REGISTRATION

PLATES, PETROL, LICENCES

MEDICAL TESTS

Though the new ' registration plates for 1940-41, and drivers' renewal licences have been available to applicants since last Monday comparatively few have so far ,sen issued, for as in past years motorists are holding off the inevitable as long as possible, even if that means standing in a queue. During this week plates are to be applied for at the Chief Post Office and suburban offices and drivers' licences, in the city, are being issued from the traffic office, but on Monday next a combined issuing bureau will be opened nt the Concert Chamber.

The new plates (red and white) may be fixed on May 31, provided that the old plates are carried in the car on that day, but the reverse will not be accepted: no car may run with the old plates after May 31. , TIGHTENING UP ON ISSUE OF LICENCES. There is general support for the announced intention of tightening up on the issue of drivers' licences, towards which end a fair start is made in regulations issued last month. ' All persons over 70 years of age will ■ !be required to supply a medical cerj tificate as to their fitness to drive a motor vehicle. They must undergo the medical examination each year. No one under 18 years of age will be j permitted to drive a heavy truck (over' two tons), and no one under 24 will be allowed to drive a taxi cab, though exception will be made for those who are already licensed to do such work. An annual medical certificate will be required from drivers of all public! passenger vehicles, including passenger vehicles or trucks used for the carriage of school children, workmen, etc. Save in the case of public passenger vehicles, imperfect hearing may not be a bar to the issue of a driver's licence if a medical practitioner gives a favourable certificate as to the applicant's fitness. I LIMITATIONS AS TO LICENCE. This year all applicants for renew- , als will be required to fill in a fresh | application, giving additional particulars. Individual licences will give the right to drive certain types of vehicle only, but the limitations are not narrow. A car licence, for instance, covers the driving of a light trade motor (previously requiring- a special licence) and a taxi-car driver can drive a prii vate car (it does not work the other i way), but the driver of a special type of vehicle (trackless car, electric car, etc.) will be restricted to that one [type.

The motor-cycle licence will cover a side-car as well; up till now a second licence was asked for by the regulations.

All applicants have to state whether they have ever been refused a licence and why, whether a. licence has been revoked, and whether any conviction has been entered against them for drivj ing offences during the past two years. Minor bylaw offences, parking for instance, are not to be entered. If a driver allows his licence to lapse for more-than three months, a renewal licence will not be issued until he has passed a fresh examination! and driving test. NO TLIKIT NO COLL.A. Current petrol coupons will be invalid after June 1, and coupons to replace them will be issued with the new registration plates.