.. how long before all cop cars are fitted with this gear A very, very long time cmoore!
I have found the actual regs. Approved but not yet operational. http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regul...4.0/whole.html Seems that registrar MAY ( not must) require surrender of plates or decline application. Says that if surrendered the plates must be returned when relicensed " or if not reasonably practical a duplicate " question would be if a white plate was a Duplicate of black plate of same numbers. Either way it would be a major pain for the registrar he must either keep all the old plates filed to return them or even if he sent a duplicate it would have to be specially made at significant time and cost. Actually even more so. It sctuallysays that the plates must be returned at the end of the exemption period. Specifically no other option. So if you put it on hold for three months he must send the plates back at the end of the three months. Even if you then put it on hold agin for another three months. Rinse lather repeat. And there is no provision for any fee for this not even for postage or courier. I have a suspicion (I hope) that this won't actually happen much. (the regs don't say it must). One difference this does Make to the dynamic is that now the penalty for riding while on hold is identical to riding with no rego At all or dead. And on that case if you still have plates you don't have to hand them in. So maybe now dead rego bikes are a bit more desirable than before
Specially made plates expensive? How can that be when I lost my 78MK1 plate and they posted a new one in my letterbox within 10 days after 1 phone call and a total cost of $24 inc freight???
$24 is expensive if you are paying for tens of thousands of them. The regs say that the Registrar must return the plates or replace them. No mention of any charge applicable, so they (NZTA) stand the cost. Bikes and cars. Maybe many times a year . Adds up. Maybe a million a year? And if the bike (or car)is on hold and then licensed I bet people are NOT going to be happy about the Registrar taking 10 days to return the plates. Lots of people (bike and car) have classics on hold and just register them for a week when there is a rally or ride or something. No point if it's going to take 10 days top get the plates back! That's my hope, anyway
