Very Exhaustive-or Exhausting?

Northern Advocate, 1 October 1938, Page 6 (Supplement)

Very Exhaustive-or Exhausting?

New Zealand, is perhaps less forward, or backward—it depends on your point of view—than many motorists are inclined to suppose. Take the matter of driver’s license, and compare it with Brazil. Here is Brazil’s procedure, as described by Mr J. R. Crossley, president of the automobile club of New York:—

“The applicant must set aside a month or two and prepare to cut much red tape. Even if he is an experienced driver he is urged to attend a driving school where the exact test to be required is taught. Then he must obtain a card of identity. This involves documents notarised; fingerprinting and photographing and return for certificate showing he has no criminal record. Next he must get a certificate from his doctor showing that he does not suffer from fits. He must be vaccinated and must get written permission for an eyesight test, take this to the Treasury and pay the fees due, and then go to the municipal doctor for the eye test and general medical examination. Now comes a certificate from his local police station verifying his home address, after which he arranges for and takes the driving test. If he passes, the certificate must be taken to the traffic police to obtain a provisional driving license, identification card, car license, certificate of ownership of the car, and the owner’s written permission to drive the car, or, if self owned, the owner writes himself a letter giving such permission. Another photograph is taken and the affair is wound up with a reading test. The license costs about £6.”