Below is the text of two letters received from Transport SA concerning vehicles using LP gas and vehicles jointly owned, also status of Life Members of clubs.

Dear Sir,

I refer to your letter of 7 June 2005, regarding the fitment of LP Gas to vehicles registered under the Historic Vehicle Registration Scheme ("the Scheme").

As you are aware, the Scheme was first introduced in South Australia in 1992 to assist owners of complying vehicles to pursue their hobby, engage in club activities and be able to register their vehicles at a reasonable cost.

The Scheme was developed in consultation with the Federation of Historic Motoring Clubs SA Inc and was never intended to include modified vehicles, as the modifications compromises the historical integrity of the vehicle.

On 7 April 2003, the "Code of Practice for Historic Vehicles and Prescribed Left Hand Drive Vehicles", which was developed in conjunction with the Federation, was released to recognised motor vehicle clubs. During the consultation process for the developing of the Code of Practice, the matter of LP Gas conversion was discussed. It was considered that the fitting of LP Gas compromises the historic integrity of the vehicle and therefore these vehicles should not be eligible for registration under this Scheme.

A period of grace of two years was allowed from April 2003 to allow vehicles that were fitted with LP Gas and registered under this Scheme to either have the LP Gas completely removed or to register the vehicle unconditionally.

As this grace period has now expired any vehicle that is fitted with LP Gas is no longer eligible for registration under the Scheme.

The reduced registration fee paid for Historic Vehicle recognises the reduced level of road network access and the relatively low distance travelled. Accordingly emission and fuel usage are secondary considerations for this category of vehicle. .

The Scheme was established on the basis that the motoring clubs would, in principle, undertake the administration of the Scheme and adhere to the principles contained in the Code of Practice. As such, any recommendations from individual clubs for changes to the current Scheme or the Code of Practice should be addressed to the Federation, rather than the Registrar. We note that you have also contacted the Federation regarding this matter.

I trust the above information clarifies this matter. If you require further information or clarification please contact David Gunner on the telephone number shown above.

Yours sincerely,

Signed

Rod Frisby
Registrar of Motor Vehicles

Mr Alan Pickering
Secretary
Federation of Historic Motoring Clubs SA Inc PO Box 703
PL YMPTON SA 5038

Dear Mr Pickering,
I refer to your letter of 18 April 2005 regarding the eligibility of life members and joint owners of a motor vehicle to the Historic Vehicle Registration Scheme ("the Scheme"). I apologise for the delay in responding to your letter.

As you are aware, in accordance with the Motor Vehicles Regulations 1996, to be eligible for the Scheme, the owner of the vehicle must be a financial member of a "recognised motor vehicle club". Although it is generally accepted that a life member holds at least equal status to a financial member (but is exempt from the payment of membership fees), the determination of whether a life member is a financial member of a particular club depends upon the constitution of that club. If the constitution defines a life member as a financial member of the club this would be acceptable for the purposes of the Scheme.
On the matter of joint ownership, previous legal advice has confirmed that, in terms of the Motor Vehicles Act and Regulations, "the owner" is interpreted as the "owner" or "owners". Accordingly, to be eligible for conditional registration under the Scheme, all parties in a joint ownership must be a financial member of a recognised club. Although your letter suggests that you have previously received advice contrary to the above, I am not aware of any change to the above position.

I trust the above information clarifies this matter. If you require further information or clarification please contact David Gunner on the telephone number listed above.
Yours sincerely,
Signed

R J Frisby

REGISTRAR of MOTOR VEHICLES