NSW Minister Announces Review of Licence Plate Inconsistencies

The Queensland Trucking Association (QTA) took the issue of damaged number plates being detected by Safe-T-Cam on NSW roads to the office of the NSW Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey, as come operators faced imminent court action to contest fines.

Gary Mahon, QTA CEO drew attention to the inconsistency where road freight operators with Queensland registered heavy vehicle with damaged/illegible number plates were being issued fines to both the driver and vehicle owner for permitting and/or driving an unregistered vehicle on NSW roads.

Queensland laws on the other hand allow 14 days to rectify or replace number plates.

The NHVR treat the issue as a defect with a self-clearing notice  – Compliance and Enforcement Bulletin No 1.

Mr Mahon commended the response from Minister Pavey,

“Subsequent to our representations, the leadership of Minister Pavey on this national issue is to be commended. Credit where it is due, her response has been immediate with action being taken to review the legislation,” said Mr Mahon.

Source: https://www.bigrigs.com.au/news/nsw-to-review-number-plate-inconsistency/3616678/

Minister Pavey’s instruction included a review into the applicable legislation in other jurisdictions which commenced in January 2019.

• RMS will engage with cross jurisdictional stakeholders, with early consultation to inform the review.
• Infringements issued since this matter was raised by QTA with QTMR support will be reviewed and may be withdrawn
• During the review period no new infringements will be issued for this offence

Source: https://www.bigrigs.com.au/news/nsw-to-review-number-plate-inconsistency/3616678/

Mr Mahon said giving a reasonable time-frame with a self-clearing defect notice was a fair response while fining drivers thousands of dollars is unjust.  He expressed his appreciation of Minister Pavey’s swift action on the issue.