THURSDAY, JULY 18, 1985
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT A GARAGE WOULD BE DESIGNATED AS A CAR TESTING CENTRE ONLY AFTER ITS PREMISES HAD BEEN INSPECTED TO ESTABLISH THE SUITABILITY OF ITS FACILITIES AND THE TECHNICAL COMPETENCE OF ITS STAFF. THE DESIGNATION WOULD BE VALID INITIALLY FOR THREE YEARS.
+TO ENSURE UNIFORMITY OF STANDARDS, CAR TESTING CENTRES WILL HAVE TO COMPLY WITH A CODE OF PRACTICE SETTING OUT THE DETAILED PROCEDURES AND SPECIFYING THE EQUIPMENT TO BE USED FOR CHECKS. IN PARTICULAR, INSPECTIONS WILL HAVE TO BE CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH A TESTER'S MANUAL DEVELOPED FROM THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT'S VEHICLE EXAMINATION PROCEDURES,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+ IN ADDITION, GARAGE STAFF WILL HAVE TO ATTEND A TRAINING COURSE AT A GOVERNMENT VEHICLE EXAMINATION. CENTRE. AND BE ASSESSED FOR COMPETENCE IN ORDER TO QUALIFY THEMSELVES AS APPROVED CAR - TESTERS'.+
CAR TESTING CENTRES WOULD ISSUE. A CERTIFICATE OF ROADWORTHINESS FOR ANY PRIVATE CAR WHICH HAD PASSED AN INSPECTION. HOWEVER, THE CERTIFICATE MUST BE PRESENTED TO THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WITHIN FOUR MONTHS OF THE ISSUE DATE FOR RE-LICENSING A VEHICLE. OTHERWISE ITS VALIDITY WILL LAPSE.
SHOULD A CAR OWNER DISAGREE WITH THE RESULT OF AV INSPECTION, HE COULD APPEAL TO THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT FOR A FRESH, INDEPENDENT EXAMINATION. ALTERNATIVELY, HE COULD TRY ANOTHER CAR TESTING CENTRE.
av
THE EXAMINATION FEE FOR CAR INSPECTIONS WOULD BE FIXED AT $160 AND A RE-CHECK FEE OF $50 WOULD BE CHARGED WHEN DEFECTS FOUND AT THE ORIGINAL INSPECTION WERE REMEDIED AND EXAMINED. WITHIN 14 DAYS. IN CASES OF SPECIFIED MINOR FAULTS, THE RE-CHECK WOULD BE FREE OF CHARGE.
+THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL CLOSELY MONITOR ACTUAL CAR! INSPECTIONS TO ENSURE THAT THE LEVEL OF STANDARDS IS MAINTAINED, + THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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MOREOVER, THE ICAC WOULD ALSO CARRY OUT PERIODIC CHECKS ON
THE EFFICACY OF OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES.
+AS A FORM OF CONTROL ON THE CAR TESTING CENTRES, AUTHORISATION WILL BE WITHDRAWN IMMEDIATELY FROM ANY GARAGE WHICH ISSUED CERTIFICATES OF ROADWORTHINESS JUST TO PROMOTE THE SALE OF ITS OWN VEHICLES OR ENGAGED ITSELF IN OTHER FORMS OF MALPRACTICE. AUTHORISATION WILL ALSO LAPSE IMMEDIATELY ON THE FIRM CEASING TO TRADE OR BECOMING INSOLVENT, HE SAID.
MEANWHILE THE EXAMINATION OF NEW CARS FOR TYPE APPROVAL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION WOULD CONTINUE TO BE CONDUCTED AT GOVERNMENT VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRES.
THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 24).