$200.00 fine

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Thu Nov 21, 2002 10:47 pm

Thought it might be worth suggesting you check you registration label is
displayed ok in your vehicles. I have received a $200.00 fine today for not
displaying the correct registration label in my (currently registered) Isuzu
Bighorn. The label had fallen out of the plastic holder and I hadn't
noticed. Don't know where the label is now, possibly blown away in the wind
with the windows often open. Just checked the one in the MX5 and it is half
out of its holder as well, so on the way towards another $200.00!! The
addition of a paper clip to ensure the label stays put might work, I hope.

(grumpy) Grant in sunny Blenheim.

Simon Lord · Post by **Simon Lord** » Thu Nov 21, 2002 11:21 pm

Dear Grumpy of Blenheim

What did the ticket say? I got a $200 fine when I accidentally allowed my
WOF to lapse, but the ticket said 'Failure to display a current licence'. I
wrote to them as follows:

"Please find attached the above infringement notice which has been issued in
error by one of your staff. I certainly do have a current licence label for
this vehicle (reg no), and this was on display on the windscreen at the time
the notice was issued. The expiry date is xx/xx/02 and the bar code number
is xxxxx. No doubt you can check and confirm this information is correct. I
do not expect to hear any more regarding this matter."

They wrote back and confirmed no further action would be taken. So,
'Wriggle' is my advice. Their fault for providing such crappy stick on
holders which leave an awful mark if you try to replace them and split if
you don't. Incidentally, I believe the law in the UK is still that you have
to display your licence in a waterproof container - had someone suggest they
could get me on that one too, once, but I pointed out that my car was quite
waterproof thanks. Mind you, that wasn't an MX5...

Simon

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Fri Nov 22, 2002 7:36 am

The ticket says 'Failure to display current licence label'. This
unfortunately is correct. As I had trouble removing the previous label from
the holder without damaging it with my fat fingers, I just put the new one
in front of it. One of Murphy's many laws means that if it's difficult to
remove, it will slide out unseen by itself very easily. It did!
This is a very dangerous crime (failure to display the correct label). It
must be because the fine is more expensive than exceding the speed limit by
driving at around 15km/h above the 100k limit. This cost my son $120.00 I
haven't had a ticket since 1975 when I got done speeding in my Jensen-Healey
at the time.
Oh well, better go and find out where to get a replacement today.
And it's raining today. Still, the local farmers will be happy.
By the way, my MX5 is waterproof so far.

Grant.

lou Girardin · Post by **lou Girardin** » Fri Nov 22, 2002 7:59 am

The traffic section of IRD will often waive the notice if you show that you
car was currently reg'd. But they don't have to, so a grovel often helps.
Lou

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Fri Nov 22, 2002 8:35 am

The ticket was issued by the local council parking warden. A grovel will
certainly be tried. The local police would generally give you a warning about
it as long as their checks show the vehicle is licensed. No warning from the
parking wardens though. No wonder they're no too popular!
I wonder if they could be taken to task over the fact that the supplied holder
is not fit for its intended purpose as the labels fall out too easily. The top
loading ones the label bounces out of while the side loading ones they slide
out of.

Grant.

Simon Lord · Post by **Simon Lord** » Fri Nov 22, 2002 8:37 am

Given Lou's comment, and the fact that you did exactly what so many of us do
(ie place the new one at thefront instead of removing the old one for fear
of damaging the holder) I suggest it's worth a letter anyway. Your crime was
not to have an unregistered car (a danger), but not to be enabling a
guardian of the law to check on it easily (an inconvenience). Unless it
would take $200-worth of your time to find the info and write the letter,
I'd try it.

Good luck - it's raining here too and next door's sheep have escaped all
over our garden. Unfortunately, they're eating the bits I have already mown
rather than the bits on the slopes too steep to mow!

Simon

my2cta · Post by **my2cta** » Fri Nov 22, 2002 8:58 am

There seem to be two designs of licence holder. One you slip the new label
in from the top. These have a big gap and the old label is easy to remove
before you replace the new one. This design is ideal for people who corner
fast (ie. MX5 drivers). The other design is the stupid one. It has a small
opening at the side. It is very difficult to remove the old label from this
one. It can also slip out under hard cornering. I have one of this design
in my MX5 (in which I corner fast) but the sensible one in my Suzuki Vitara
(in which I corner slowly). That is Murphy's Law for you.

A few months ago I was driving home up the Kaitoke Hill at speed. Lots of
nice bends. The licence must have already been a little loose in the
holder. I took a left-hander hard at 70 kph and the label slid right out
and along the top of the dash to sit just in front of me. There was an 80
kph right-hander just coming up so I left it there and kept the power on.
Silly move. The label, now no longer in a holder to start with, started to
slide back again, but this time it tipped forwards as well. Turbulence in
the cockpit snatched it out of the car quicker than you can blink and it
disappeared out of sight from my rear view mirror. I backtracked to the
bend in question and parked the car, then spent 10 minutes along the edges
of the road searching for a small white rectangle amongst the huge quantity
of rubbish that seems to get deposited along our highways. Perseverance
paid off, I found the label, quite a distance from where it had escaped.

Next time I get offered a new licence holder when I get a licence renewed
I'll check it has a top opening and take one. Actually I'll take two if I
can. Then I'll have somewhere to put the pay-and-display car park tickets
when I park in Wellington or Masterton or other places that have pay and
display parking (not good old Upper Hutt - all parking there is free). At
the moment I have to put the top up just so I can park. Very irritating

Tim Dutton
MY2CTA

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Fri Nov 22, 2002 11:42 am

The one that opens at the top is no good in a 4WD like my Isuzu, as the
labels bounce out when you are off road as I often am. Also, in the hot
Marlborough sun, the pockets go quite soft making it even more likely the
label won't stay put.
I've written a groveling letter so will see what happens next.

Grant

lola.anna · Post by **lola.anna** » Fri Nov 22, 2002 6:50 pm

mmmmmmmmmmmCould you suggest that it blew away when the top was down and
that you were on your way to replace it??? What a bad break. Traffic
Police wonder how come they are disliked - this surely warranted simply a
warning.
Es

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Wed Nov 27, 2002 8:30 am

The groveling letter worked!
I got a letter back from the local council saying they have carefully
considered the circumstances and have cancelled the infringement fee. It
appears to be a form letter, and has a handwritten note from the 'Parking
Administartor' attached saying he has used the sticky double side label
holder for trailors and had no problems. These are available from the local
Post Shop, apparently. In the meantime, the paperclip cure is working well.

Grant.

lou Girardin · Post by **lou Girardin** » Wed Nov 27, 2002 8:35 am

Never underestimate the power of the grovel, ask any married man.
Lou

Simon Lord · Post by **Simon Lord** » Wed Nov 27, 2002 1:11 pm

Brilliant - let that be a lesson to all of us to be difficult. I've been a
thorn in the side of Telecom for three weeks now and they are gradually
sorting out our phone lines...

Simon

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Wed Nov 27, 2002 1:55 pm

It took me 8 weeks to get my second line working here...and that was when
I was working for them! Took 3 years to get the listing correct in the white
pages as well.
Much harder now to get some things sorted with all the different contractors
involved. Good luck.
To keep on topic...getting it sorted will give you more time to enjoy the
MX5!
Its 29 degrees outside with no wind and I have to use the Isuzu again. The
MX5 has been commandeered by my daughter.

Grant, in cloudy hot Blenheim.

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