MOTOR LICENCES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23966, 16 May 1941, Page 11

MOTOR LICENCES

NEW NUMBER PLATES DROP IN APPLICATIONS MISUNDERSTANDING BY PUBLIC After a slow start, attendances over the past few days to register motor vehicles for the new licensing year have considerably improved at the motor registration office, which is now in the new mail building behind the chief post office. There was a big lag in the first week of the month in registrations compared with corresponding figures last year, but this lias been partly overcome and the total yesterday was only 400 behind. The slower rate is attributed to a misapprehension in the minds of many persons regarding the start of the licensing period. As in other years it begins on June 1, when vehicles on the roads must bear the new black and white plates. The licensing period, however, will he for 13 months instead of the usual 12, so that it will end next year on .luno 30.

It is remarkable how many persons cannot remember the figures on their present number plates and who attend unprovided with this information and also the engine and chassis numbers oi their vehicles. Such information is insisted upon, and the lack of it causes delays at the counters and fruitless journeys on the part of those concerned.

The authorities are particularly anxious this year to avoid the usual overwhelming rush of owners to register in the last two or three days of the month. Driving licences are issued at the office of the traffic department in the Town Hall and not in tho mail office building.