FILLING FORMS

Evening Star, Issue 22033, 20 May 1935, Page 1

FILLING FORMS

AN OFFICIALHAHIA UKNEfi£BfiARV QUESTIONS FOR HOTORISU [Peck Ocr Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, May 20. The annual registration of motors is now beginning to interest owners, who will find when they attend at, their post off the necessary fees, that the as complicated aiiJMvgtfiy as taking out a license for a“ew car. The same forms have to be filled in, as it does not seem to have occurred to/ihe official mind that the renewal process could bo made simpler, without any disregard of precautions against theft or misdescription for insurance purposes. The average number of new cars registered each year is 15,000, but during this month 180,000 owners will go through the long process of re-registra-tion because no simple system has been devised. Form No. 3 which they will he required to fill in, has seventeen questions. Of this number only sis appear necessary where the license has to be merely renewed. A fresh idea this season ,is to secure details of the horse power of the licensed vehicle in addition to the mileage of the previous season. Again the motorist has to inform the Government that the tyres are pneumatic, and all the other details which are unchangeable, once a car is put on the road,The engine number and chassis number • have again to be filled in on the form, and there is space to indicate the insurance company nominated for third party insurance, despite the fact that another form must, be filled in for this purpose. Many motorists forget to make a note o"f the engine and chassis numbers on their cars, and they are put to the trouble of finding out before they-get their renewal, though all this information is already recorded on » card which the licensing official examines when the 1935 form is completed. He knows everything beforehand t except the fact that the owner is willing to pay a fresh license fee, and it would be a reasonable concession to the motor community if the Transport Department dispensed with most of the formality of re-registration where renewals are required. One_ small consolation of the moment is that th* new plates cost sixpence less than formerly.