XN000022-1982-12-22 — Page 7

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1982

* CLAUSE 42. THE AMENDMENT PROVIDES A DIFFERENCE IN PENALTY

FOR TWO RELATED OFFENCES -- FAILURE TO PRODUCE A DRIVING LICENCE ON THE SPOT AND FAILURE TO PRODUCE THE LICENCE WITHIN 72 HOURS. IT PROVIDES FOR THE SECOND OFFENCE TO CARRY A PENALTY TWICE THAT OF THE FIRST AND SETS THE FINE AT $2 000.

* CATEGORISATION OF GOODS VEHICLES. THE AMENDMENTS MAKE IT

CLEAR THAT A LIGHT GOODS VEHICLE+ MAY HAVE A PERMITTED GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT UP TO AND INCLUDING 5.5 TONNES; A +MEDIUM GOODS VEHICLE+ WOULD WEIGH OVER 5.5 TONNES AND UP TO AND INCLUDING 24 TONNES; A +HEAVY GOODS VEHICLE+ MAY HAVE A PERMITTED GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT OF OVER 24 TONNES AND UP TO AND INCLUDING 38 TONNES.

IN CONNECTION WITH THE REVISED CLASSIFICATION OF GOODS VEHICLES, DRIVING LICENCE ARRANGEMENTS WILL ALSO BE CHANGED SO THAT AFTER IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BILL A PERSON WISHING TO DRIVE, FOR EXAMPLE, A HEAVY GOODS VEHICLE, WILL HAVE TO PASS THE TEST ON SUCH A VEHICLE. ALL EXISTING GOODS VEHICLE LICENCE HOLDERS WILL BE ALLOWED TO DRIVE HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES WITHOUT UNDERGOING A RE-TEST BUT HOLDERS OF GOODS VEHICLE LICENCES WISHING TO DRIVE ARTICULATED VEHICLES WILL BE REQUIRED TO PASS A RE-TEST ON THE VEHICLE.

* OPERATION OF TRANSPORT TRIBUNALS. A NEW CLAUSE IS INSERTED

AFTER CLAUSE 17.TO ALLOW THE TRANSPORT TRIBUNALS TO CONSULT A LEGAL ADVISER. AMENDMENTS ARE ALSO MADE TO TRANSFER THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUSPENDING VEHICLE LICENCES FROM THE TRIBUNAL TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT AND FOR THE TRIBUNAL TO CONSIDER APPEALS MADE AGAINST THE COMMISSIONER'S DECISION.

* CLAUSE 40 IS AMENDED TO INCREASE THE FINE FOR SPEEDING AND CLAUSES 83 (4) AND 84 (3) ARE AMENDED TO BRING THE LEVEL OF FINES FOR BREACH OF VEHICLE SUSPENSION ORDERS AND REPAIR ORDERS INTO LINE WITH OTHER FINES IN THE BILL,

* CLAUSE 68 IS AMENDED TO ENABLE THE DISQUALIFICATION

PROVISIONS TO BE APPLIED TO A PERSON WHO KNOWINGLY USES A VEHICLE WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKES, TYRES OR STEERING.

* CLAUSE 85 (2) IS AMENDED TO PROVIDE FOR DOUBLE CHARGING OF EXAMINATION FEES ONLY FOR FURTHER EXAMINATIONS ON VEHICLES SUBJECT TO A VEHICLE SUSPENSION ORDER.