AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

MOTOR TRAFFIC ORDINANCE 1963

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

No. 21 of 1963

	Following review of the provisions of the Motor Traffic Ordinance 1936-1962 relating to the scheme for the issue of traders’ plates to motor vehicle traders, it is proposed to adopt a new scheme based on that currently being used in New South Wales.  The draft Motor Traffic Ordinance 1963 will give legislative effect to this scheme and this Ordinance will come into effect on the 1st January, 1964.

	The main features of the new system to be introduced are as follows:-

1)	All traders’ plates will be valid for one year commencing on the first of January each year.  The year for which the plate is valid will be embossed on the plate and in the subsequent year a new plate of a different colour will be issued.  This practice will obviate the necessity of issuing traders’ windscreen labels.

2)	Motor cars and lorries will be required to bear two plates while motor cycles and trailers will be required to bear only one plate which will be of a different design to those used on motor cars and lorries.

3)	At the present time there is no traders’ plate which can be used on trailers.  The motor cycle traders’ plate will be modified so that it can be used on these vehicles.

4)	The use of vehicles bearing traders’ plates will be restricted to the trader, his employees or a person testing the vehicle while accompanied by the trader or his employee.

5)	It is proposed to require that all towing vehicles be registered.  It will no longer be lawful to use traders’ plates on a towing vehicle when such vehicle is being used in the course of the trader’s business.

	Following on the making of the Trading Hours Ordinance 1962 which permits trading in motor vehicles on Sundays the restriction on the use of traders’ plates on Sundays will be removed.

	The fees to be paid fro traders’ plates have been increased.  The fees presently charged are as follows:-

	Motor cars and lorry traders’ plate – first plate, £8 per annum
					        – additional plate, £1 each per annum 
	Motor cycle traders’ plates	– first plate, £2 per annum
					– additional plate, 5/- each per annum

	These fees have not been varied since 1936 and are now quite inadequate to meet administrative costs.  The new fees to be charged will be as follows:-

	Motor cars and lorry plates – £10 per annum for each plate
	Motor cycle and trailer plates – £2.10.0 per annum for each plate.