RENTAL CARS

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 March 1939, Page 3

RENTAL CARS

NEW REGULATIONS. (per press association.] WELLINGTON, March 9. Rental vehicles are brought within rhe scope of the Transport. Licensing Act by warrant published in the Ga-

zette to-night. The Minister for Transport. Mr. Semple, in an interview this evening said that as a result of the large nitml.er of si rious accidents involving rental <a.rs r'drive yourself” hire cars), the Road Safety Council had recommended ;it a recent meeting that they he brought under the provisions oi Hip act. in order that they might be more effectively controlled. This recammendalioii had been adopted and the necessary regulations issued. The actual requirements will become effective on March 24. Mr. Semple said that the proposals were fully discussed with the Rental iCar Proprietors’ Association and had [the. full support and endorsement of 'that organisation. I "The effect will bo that a. rental car business cannot be carried on without a licence obtained from the. licensing authority through the Transport. Department." said the Minister. This applies to all firms who hire out v< hit les. without a driver, to the public tor a consideration.

j ‘■Fotin of application are available 11'1 om the department, and its branch-1 ail( [ are being forwarded immediately to till firms recorded as running this type of business. The regulations are chiefly of an administrative nature, but an important provision is that mt person under the age Jof 21 may hire a rental vehicle, alii hough this does not prevent the actita] hirer of a vehicle permitting a [ minor lo drive it. provided the minor jholds a driver’s licence. j -‘A standard form of hiring agree!nu nt .is in the regulations, and an inspect ion system for vehicles is includ- ' ed on a. six months’ basis.” | The. Gazette also contains amettd’ments to the registration plate, regu'lotions and third party insurance regulations. these being chiefly conse- . (|iic-ntial on the control of rental ve- > hides. It- is provided in the amendi ment to the registration plate reguj lotions that, any person applying for •plates for rental vehicles must present. to the depntj-registrar an opmcpiiate licence uitdei the transport Licensing Act.