DRIVERS’ LICENSES

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 December 1945, Page 7

DRIVERS’ LICENSES

LAPSED PERIOD AND TESTS

WELLINGTON. December 20. The period for which a motor driver’s licence may lapse without a compulsory driving test for renewal of the licence is amended irom i.iree months to 12 months by an amendment to the Motor Drivers’ Regulations, 1940, gazetted to-night. The principal regulations in 1 940 provided that if a lapsing licence was not renewed within three months of expiry, another test of the driver S capacity must be made by the local body issuing the licence. Later that provision was suspended because of the war-time shortage of traffic inSpectors. Recently the three months limit was restored, but the Transport Department, after further consideration, has decided that it is reasonable to permit renewal of a licence without a test at any time within 12 months of expiry. It is pointed out, however, that local bodies have discretionary power, and may requite any person seeking a driving licence to undergo a test. An amendment gazetted to-night also provides that the Minister of Transport may waive the minimum age limit of 18 years for the driver of a motor truck in respect of any person employed on a farm or market garden. The Minister may approve the issue of a licence in such cases to persons not less than 15 yeai s of age. Similar provision was contained in the emergency regulation recently revoked.