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G. INSPECTION OF MOTOR-VEHICLES All motor-vehicles in New Zealand are required to undergo an inspection each six months either for a Certificate of Fitness or a Warrant of Fitness. Certificates of Fitness. —Certificates of Fitness are issued to all vehicles operating under the Transport Licensing Act, embracing the following classes : omnibuses, trolley buses, service cars, service coaches, passenger-trucks, school vehicles, school buses, taxis, rental cars, ambulances, and goods-service vehicles. Under the terms of the Transport Law Amendment Act, 1948, ancillary goods-service vehicles having a gross laden weight in excess of 2 tons are now required to be inspected for a Certificate of Fitness. Previously these vehicles were covered by Warrants of Fitness only. Vehicles owned by the Crown, local authorities, or public bodies and trucks used by. farmers exclusively in connection with farming activities (other than market gardening) are exempt from the provisions of the Act. Warrants of Fitness. —Warrants of Fitness are issued to vehicles not included in the above groups —i.e., private cars, motor-cycles, &c. Inspection.—The inspection of motor-vehicles for a Warrant of Fitness is carried out by motor-garages specially approved for the purpose by the Hon. the Minister of Transport and by municipal testing stations and cover only those items which are essential for safety. Examinations for Certificates of Fitness which are conducted by Vehicle Inspectors of the Transport Department are of a more extensive nature and a high standard of efficiency is required in matters which may affect the safety, health, and comfort of the travelling public.

As at 31st March, 1949, there were 66 Vehicle Inspectors distributed throughout the administrative districts of the Department as follows :

Vehicles Free From Defects. —{a) Passenger-service Vehicles.—The following table shows the percentage of vehicles found to be free from defects at the time of examination : Type. Percentage. Omnibuses •. .. ..17-8 Trolley buses .. .. .. .. 26 • 7 Service cars .. .. .. 17 • 2 Service coaches .. .. .. 13-4 Passenger-trucks .. .. .. 17 • 7 School buses .. .. .. ..12-5 School vehicles .. .. .. ..21-0 Taxis .. .. .. .. 38-6 Rental cars .. .. .. .. 37 • 9 Ambulances .. .. .. ..21-7

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District. District Vehicle Inspectors. Senior Vehicle Inspectors. Vehicle Inspectors. Total. Head Office Auckland Wellington Christchurcli Dunedin Total • 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 20 20 10 7 1 22 22 12 9 4 5 57 66