RENTAL CARS

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1939, Page 6

RENTAL CARS

NEW REGULATIONS ISSUiA)

(Per Press Association.—Copyright).

WELLINGTON, March 9.

Rental cars are brought within the the scope of the Transport Licensing Act by warrant published in the Cassette to-night. The Minister for Transport, the Hon. JR-. Semple, in an interview this evening said that as a result of the large number of serious accidents involving rental cars (“drive yourself” hire cars), the Road Safety Council had-recom-mended at a recent meeting that they be brought under the provisions of the act in order that they might be more effectively controlled. This recommendation 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 Car Proprietors’ Association and had the full support and endorsement of that organisation.

“The effect will be that a rental car business cannot he tarried on without a license obtained from the licensing authority through the .Transport. Department,’-’ said the Minister. “This applies to all firms who hire out vehicles, without a driver, to the public for a consideration.

“Forms' of application are available from the department and its branches, and are' being forwarded immediately to all firms recorded as running this type of business'. The regulations are chiefly' of an administrative nature, but an . important provision is that lib person under the age of 21 may hire a rental vehicle, although this does hot prevent the actual hirer of a vehicle permitting a minor to drive it, provided the minor holds a driver’s license. “A. standard form of hiring agreement is in the regulations, and an inspection system for vehicles is included on a six months’ basis.” The Gazette also contains amendments to the registration plate regulations and third party insurance regulations, these being chiefly consequential on ,the control for rental vehicles. It is provided in the amendment to registration plate regulations that any IfT/on a inlying for plates for rental vehicles must present to the deputy-registrar an appropriate licence under the Transport Licensing Act.