MOTOR RELICENSING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20243, 1 May 1929, Page 15

MOTOR RELICENSING.

SLOW PROGRESS IN .CITY*

THE INSURANCE PROVISIONS* 1

CARS' USED FOR BUSINESS. \

After the lapse of a fortnight since! the issue of new number-plates was com* menccd, the motor rclicensing office irt Wellcslciy Street has received applications relating to only 3000 vehicles.' The re* cords show 22,000 motor vehicles in; existence in Auckland, and although some hundreds will have passed out of service during the past year, it is apparent thati unless there is a better response during the next fortnight the last few days o£ , May will be characterised by long waits and congestion. Owners of more than on© vehicle are particularly requested to make prompt application for new numbers. Yesterday one carrying firm opera* ting 85 vehicles completed the formali* ties. •

Motorists who use their cars for busi« ness are bombarding the officials with! questions regarding compulsory insur* ance. The department's retort is that thet motorist should pay £1 10s instead of £1 ! if he user, the vehicle for business pur-' poses. The use of a car merely as a conveyance from one's residence to one's work does not come within "the "meaning of "business purposes," but apart from this it is an offence to use a car for which only £1 has been paid. The cats of doctors and social workers are excepted, but the land agent, commercial traveller, or other person who uses a car for trade or professional calls appears to be risking a heavy claim for a refund of damages if he niisleads thfe motor licen- r smg authorities and the insurance companies.

Some companies have allowed in their ordinary comprehensive policies for "occasional business calls'," and possibly they are willing to put the same interpretation on a private car for compulsory insurance purposes. . Where there is any doubt regarding the line drawn between business and pleasure the motorist should refer to his chosen insurance company before completing the formalities. The postal officials are merely the collecting authority and they' cannot give legal opinions on individual cases. The post office has also no part in any refund to which the motorist might be.entitled on account of 'a voluntary comprehensive

policy. Another obligation, that of renewing chiving licences, falls on all motor vehicle drivers this month. »These are now being issued by the Auckland City Council and other local bodies for ss. The city licences are b!ue, in contrast ( to the red •' ticket issued last year.. It will not be for- j gotten that shortly after the relicensing | period the City Council traffic depart- y incut and other local authorities co-operate J in laying traps on all main roads-to weed out drivers with obsolete licences. Evep if a new driver has obtained a licence only during th 6 last few weeks he must renew it by the end of this month. ''j