S.I. No. 269/1961 - Mechanically Propelled Vehicles (International Circulation) Order, 1961

The Minister for Local Government in exercise of the powers conferred on him by section 12 of the Roads Act, 1920 , sections 42 , 67 and 80 of the Road Traffic Act, 1933 (No. 11 of 1933), sections 1 and 3 of the Finance (Excise Duties) (Vehicles) Act, 1952 (No. 24 of 1952) and section 38 of the Local Government Act, 1955 (No. 9 of 1955) hereby makes the following regulations and order:—

1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Mechanically Propelled Vehicles (International Circulation) Order, 1961.

(2) This Order shall come into operation on the first day of January, 1962.

(3) The Road Vehicles (International Circulation) Regulations, 1934 ( S.R. and O. 1934 No. 119 ), the Road Traffic (Driving Licence) (Non-Residents) Regulations, 1934 ( S.R. and O. 1934 No. 216 ), the Road Traffic (Third Party Risks) (Visiting Motorists) Regulations, 1952 ( S.I. No. 383 of 1952 ), the Mechanically Propelled Vehicles (International Circulation) Order, 1955 ( S.I. No. 94 of 1955 ), the Public Service Vehicles (International Circulation) Order, 1958 ( S.I. No. 81 of 1958 ) and the Road Traffic (Third Party Risks) (Visiting Motorists) Regulations, 1958 ( S.I. No. 82 of 1958 ) are hereby revoked.

2.—(1) In this Order—

" the Act of 1933 " means the Road Traffic Act, 1933 ;

" bureau " means a central organisation established by motor insurers in any country outside the State for the purpose of giving effect to international agreements for facilitating compliance by visitors with the laws of countries requiring motorists to insure against third party risks, between whom and the Irish Bureau there is in force for the time being an agreement whereby, in particular, the Irish Bureau agrees to accept in the State on behalf of the said central organisation the same legal liability in respect of an international insurance card as is placed on a vehicle insurer under the Act of 1933 in respect of a certificate of insurance issued by him in accordance with section 68 of the Act of 1933 certifying that an approved policy of insurance has been issued;

" circulation permit " means a circulation permit issued under article 6 of this Order by a registration body;

" the Convention of 1926 " means the international convention relative to road traffic concluded at Paris on the 24th day of April, 1926;

" the Convention of 1949 " means the international convention on road traffic concluded at Geneva on the 19th day of September, 1949;

" driving licence " means a driving licence under Part III of the Act of 1933;

" Dublin Corporation " means the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of Dublin;

" exempt from customs duty " means " exempt from customs duty under regulations made by the Minister for Finance under subsection (4) of section 12 of the Finance Act, 1934 (No. 31 of 1934) or section 16 of the Finance Act, 1961 (No. 23 of 1961) ";

" international certificate " means an international certificate issued in respect of a vehicle under the Convention of 1926;

" international motor insurance card " means a duly completed international motor insurance card issued by a bureau or by the Irish Bureau in or substantially in the form set out in the Second Schedule to this Order;

" the Irish Bureau " means the Irish Visiting Motorists Bureau Limited of 11 Dawson Street, Dublin;

" the Minister " means the Minister for Local Government; " motor vehicle duty " means the duty of excise imposed by section 1 of the Finance (Excise Duties) (Vehicles) Act, 1952 ;

" registration body " means Dublin Corporation, the Automobile Association of Suffolk Street, Dublin and the Royal Irish Automobile Club of Dawson Street, Dublin;

" registration card " means a registration card issued under article 7 or 8 of this Order by a registration body;

" registration certificate " means (except in article 16) a registration certificate issued in respect of a vehicle in accordance with the Convention of 1949;

" relevant evidence of insurance " in respect of a vehicle means—

(a) an international motor insurance card valid in the State in respect of the vehicle, or

(b) a certificate of insurance or a certificate of guarantee within the meaning of the Act of 1933, showing that there is in force either an approved policy of insurance, an approved guarantee or an approved combined policy and guarantee covering the driving of the vehicle by the owner of the vehicle (as defined in the Act of 1933) or by other persons on his order or with his consent, or

(c) such evidence as satisfies the authority or body to whom application is made for (as the case may be) a circulation permit under article 6 of this Order, for the registration of the vehicle under article 7 of this Order or for a licence under article 8 of this Order that the owner of the vehicle (as defined in the Act of 1933) is either a vehicle insurer or a vehicle guarantor or an exempted person within the meaning of the Act of 1933;

" temporary importation permit " means a temporary importation permit issued by the Revenue Commissioners for display on the vehicle to which it relates;

" vehicle " means a mechanically propelled vehicle;

" visitor " means a person resident outside the State making a temporary stay in the State.

(2) The Interpretation Act, 1937 (No. 38 of 1937) applies to this Order.

3.—(1) Subject to subarticle (2) of this article, vehicles brought Temporarily into the State by visitors shall be exempt from motor vehicle duty as follows:—

(a) a vehicle which has not more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat and is used for any purpose other than for the conveyance of goods or burden of any other description in the course of trade or business (including agriculture but not the conveyance of samples of goods by a commercial traveller) or the carriage of persons for reward shall be exempt, while in use for any such purpose and for no other purpose, during any period for which the vehicle is exempt from customs duty or for a period of three hundred and sixty-five days from the day on which the vehicle was brought into the State whichever is the lesser;

(b) a vehicle which is used for the purpose of the carriage for reward of passengers and their baggage, from or to a place outside the State only, while in use for such purpose and no other purpose shall be exempt during any period for which the vehicle is exempt from customs duty;

(c) a vehicle which is used for the purpose of the carriage for reward of visitors with whom contracts for carriage were made outside the State shall be exempt for a period not exceeding thirty-one days in any year, provided that during such period the vehicle is in use for such purpose and for no other purpose;

(d) a vehicle which is used for the purpose of the conveyance, from or to a place outside the State only, of goods or burden of any other description in the course of trade or business (including agriculture) shall be exempt, while in use for such purpose and for no other purpose, during any period for which the vehicle is exempt from customs duty.

(2) Each exemption from motor vehicle duty granted by paragraph (1) of this article shall be subject to compliance in respect of the vehicle with paragraph (1) of article 6 and paragraph (1) of article 7 of this Order.

4. A vehicle which is brought temporarily into the State by a visitor and which—

(a) is for the time being licensed under the Vehicle (Excise) Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 or any enactment amending or replacing that Act, and

(b) is duly registered in compliance with the regulations for the time being in force in Northern Ireland,

shall be exempt from motor vehicle duty for a period of four months from the day on which the vehicle was brought into the State, if the licence issued in Northern Ireland is exhibited on the vehicle and the vehicle and any trailer attached thereto carries an identification mark in accordance with the regulations for the time being in force in Northern Ireland.

5. A vehicle which is brought temporarily into the State by a visitor and which—

(a) is not intended to be used and is not used in the State for the carriage of passengers for reward or for the conveyance of goods or burden of any other description in the course of trade or business (including agriculture but not the conveyance of samples by a commercial traveller), and

(b) is for the time being licensed in Great Britain under the Vehicles (Excise) Act, 1949, or any enactment amending or replacing that Act, and

(c) is duly registered in compliance with the regulations for the time being in force in Great Britain

shall be exempt from motor vehicle duty for a period of four months from the day on which the vehicle was brought into the State, if the licence issued in Great Britain is exhibited on the vehicle and the vehicle and any trailer attached thereto carries an identification mark in accordance with the regulations for the time being in force in Great Britain and a nationality plate in accordance with the Convention of 1949 showing the distinctive letters assigned to Great Britain under that convention.

6.—(1) In the case of a vehicle exempt from motor vehicle duty under article 3 of this Order, either a temporary importation permit or a circulation permit issued in respect of the vehicle shall, at all times when the vehicle is on a public road, be carried on the vehicle in the manner in which a licence under section 1 of the Finance (Excise Duties) (Vehicles) Act, 1952 , would be required to be carried on the vehicle if it were not exempt from motor vehicle duty.

(2) A registration body may issue a circulation permit (in such form and containing such particulars as the Minister may from time to time direct) in respect of a vehicle which is exempt from motor vehicle duty under article 3 of this Order and in respect of which a temporary importation permit is not obtainable.

(3) A person who desires to obtain a circulation permit for a vehicle being brought temporarily into the State by him shall make application to a registration body on a form approved for the time being by the Minister and shall produce to the registration body the relevant evidence of insurance in respect of the vehicle.

(4) A registration body to whom application is made for a circulation permit may issue the permit if they are satisfied that the application is properly made and that the vehicle is one in respect of which they are authorised to issue a permit.

(5) No person shall, either by writing, drawing or in any other manner, alter, deface, mutilate or add anything to any circulation permit for any vehicle, nor shall any person exhibit upon any vehicle any such permit which has been altered, defaced, mutilated or added to as aforesaid, or upon which the particulars have become illegible, nor shall any person exhibit any colourable imitation of any such permit or any such permit which has been issued in respect of another vehicle or any such permit which has become void.

(6) If a circulation permit issued by a registration body under this article has been lost, destroyed, mutilated or defaced, or the particulars thereon have become illegible, the registration body by whom it was issued may issue a duplicate circulation permit.

7.—(1) Save as respects a vehicle which is exempt from motor vehicle duty under article 4 or article 5 of this Order, the following provisions shall be complied with in respect of a vehicle brought temporarily into the State by a visitor:—

(a) the vehicle shall be registered under this article With a registration body and, at all times while the vehicle is on a public road, there shall be carried on the vehicle and any trailer attached thereto the identification mark assigned to the vehicle by the registration body, in the manner in which identification marks assigned under the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations, 1958 ( S.I. No. 13 of 1958 ) are required to be carried, or

(b) the person bringing the vehicle into the State shall hold an international certificate in respect of the vehicle and, at all times while the vehicle is on a public road, there shall be carried on the vehicle and any trailer attached thereto their domestic identification marks and a nationality plate in accordance with the Convention of 1926, or

(c) the person bringing the vehicle into the State shall hold a registration certificate in respect of the vehicle and, at all times while the vehicle is on a public road, there shall be carried on the vehicle and any trailer attached thereto their domestic identification marks and a nationality plate in accordance with the Convention of 1949.

(2) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (3) of this article a person who desires to have a vehicle registered for the purposes of paragraph (1) of this article shall make application for the registration of the vehicle to a registration body on the form for the time being approved by the Minister and shall produce to the registration body the relevant evidence of insurance in respect of the vehicle.

(3) Where a vehicle is not exempt from motor vehicle duty, the application under paragraph (2) of this article for registration shall be made to Dublin Corporation.

(4) A registration body to whom application is made for registration under this article of a vehicle shall, if they are satisfied that the application is properly made and that the vehicle is one which they are authorised to register—

(a) register the vehicle,

(b) assign to the vehicle an identification mark consisting of the letters ZZ and a number,

(c) issue a properly completed registration card in the form for the time being approved by the Minister.

(5) Where a vehicle is taken out of the State or is broken up or destroyed or ceases to be a vehicle brought temporarily into the State by a visitor, the identification mark assigned to it under this article shall become void (except as regards any document issued in the State for use in respect of the vehicle elsewhere) and shall not be assigned to any other vehicle used in the State.

(6) If any alteration affecting the particulars shown on a registration card is made to a vehicle, the person to whom the registration card was issued shall return the card for amendment to the registration body by whom it was issued and at the same time shall give in writing particulars of the alteration.

(7) If a registration card has been lost, destroyed, mutilated or defaced or the particulars thereon have become illegible, the registration body by whom it was issued may issue a duplicate registration card.

8.—(1) The provisions of this article shall apply, instead of the provisions of articles 2 and 3 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations, 1958, to the licensing under section 1 of the Finance (Excise Duties) (Vehicles) Act, 1952 , of a vehicle which is brought into the State temporarily by a visitor and which is not exempt from motor vehicle duty or, having been so exempt, subsequently ceases to be so exempt.

(2) The person bringing the vehicle into the State shall make application in the form for the time being approved by the Minister, to Dublin Corporation for a licence in respect of the vehicle and shall—

(a) produce with such application any international certificate, registration certificate or registration card held in respect of the vehicle,

(b) produce the relevant evidence of insurance in respect of the vehicle, and

(c) surrender to the said Corporation any circulation permit previously issued in respect of the vehicle.

(3) Upon compliance by the applicant with the provisions of paragraph (2) of this article and upon payment by the applicant of the appropriate excise duty, the said Corporation shall, if they are satisfied that the vehicle is one in respect of which a licence may be issued in accordance with this article and that the licence applied for is the appropriate licence for the vehicle, issue a licence to the applicant having entered thereon such particulars as the Minister may from time to time direct.

(4) On the issue in accordance with this article of a licence, the said Corporation shall issue to the person to whom the licence is issued a registration card containing such particulars as the Minister may from time to time direct or, where a registration card has previously been issued in respect of the vehicle, the said Corporation shall enter on the said card such particulars as the Minister may from time to time direct.

9.—(1) This article applies to each of the following documents:—

(a) a registration book held in respect of a vehicle which is exempt from motor vehicle duty under article 4 or article 5 of this Order,

(b) an international certificate,

(c) a registration certificate,

(d) a registration card.

(2) A person holding a document to which this article applies shall produce such document at any reasonable time upon the request of a member of the Garda Síochána or an authorised officer within the meaning of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations, 1958.

(3) No person shall deface or mutilate a document to which this article applies or alter or obliterate any entry therein or (except as provided by this Order) make any entry in or addition thereto.

10. Article 18 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations, 1958 shall in its application to vehicles brought temporarily into the State by visitors be modified by the substitution of the following definition of registered owner for the purpose of any enactment referring to the registered owner of a vehicle—

(a) in the case of a vehicle which is exempt from motor vehicle duty under article 4 or article 5 of this Order, the person shown as the current owner in the registration book issued in respect of the vehicle,

(b) in the case of a vehicle in respect of which a registration card has been issued under this Order, the person named as the applicant on the registration card,

(c) in any other case, the person named as the applicant on the registration certificate or named as the owner or holder on the international certificate held in respect of the vehicle.

11.—(1) Subsection (1) of section 93 of the Act of 1933 shall not apply to a vehicle brought into the State temporarily by a visitor if the vehicle is licensed in the state where it is registered under the licensing requirements (if any) of that state corresponding to those of Part VII of the Act of 1933.

(2) Subsections (1) and (2) of section 110 and subsection (1) of section 112 of the Act of 1933 shall not apply to a visitor in respect of his employment as driver or conductor of a vehicle to which paragraph (1) of this article applies if such person is licensed as such in the state where he is ordinarily resident under the licensing requirements (if any) of that state corresponding to those of Part VII of the Act of 1933.

12.—(1) The provisions of the Act of 1933 and the orders and regulations specified in Part I of the First Schedule to this Order shall not apply to a vehicle registered in a state which is a party to the Convention of 1926 in relation to Ireland, which is brought temporarily into the State by a visitor and which complies with the provisions of the Convention of 1926 and the requirements contained in Part II of the said Schedule.

(2) The provisions of the Act of 1933 and the orders and regulations specified in Part III of the First Schedule to this Order shall not apply to a vehicle registered in a state which is a party to the Convention of 1949 in relation to Ireland, which is brought temporarily into the State by a visitor and which complies with the provisions of Chapter IV of the Convention of 1949 and the requirements contained in Part IV of the said Schedule.

13.—(1) In this article—

" certificate " means a certificate of insurance issued in accordance with section 68 of the Act of 1933 by a vehicle insurer certifying that an approved policy of insurance has been issued.

(2) For the purposes of Part V of the Act of 1933, section 12 of the Roads Act, 1920 and any regulation made under any of the said enactments, the following provisions shall apply regarding an international motor insurance card in respect of the use of the vehicle referred to in the said card:—

(a) the said card shall be deemed to be a certificate issued to the insured named thereon for the period shown thereon as the period of validity in Ireland;

(b) the Irish Bureau shall be deemed to be the vehicle insurer which issued the said certificate, and to be competent to act as a vehicle insurer;

(c) notwithstanding anything contained in section 68 of the Act of 1933 or the regulations made thereunder, it shall not be necessary to furnish any particulars on an international motor insurance card other than those required to be furnished on the said card.

(3) Section 58 of the Act of 1933 shall not apply to the Irish Bureau and article 10 and paragraph (1) of article 13 of the Road Traffic (Third Party Risks) Regulations, 1933 ( S.R. and O. 1933 No. 130 ) shall not apply to an international motor insurance card.

(4) On an international motor insurance card the letters EIR are used to indicate the name of the State but the letters IRL may be substituted therefor.

14.—(1) In this article—

" domestic driving licence " means a valid and properly completed permit or licence to drive motor vehicles (not being a provisional permit or licence issued to a person to enable him to learn to drive) issued to a visitor by the competent authority of the state in which he resides or by an association duly empowered by such authority to issue the permit or licence;

" international driving permit " means a valid and properly completed international driving permit issued to a visitor under the Convention of 1926 or the Convention of 1949 by the competent authority of the state in which he resides or by an association duly empowered by such authority to issue such permit, and

" driving permit " means a domestic driving licence or an international driving permit.

(2) A visitor who—

(a) is for the time being the holder of a driving permit, and

(b) is not disqualified for holding a driving licence to drive a vehicle of a class which he is licensed by the driving permit to drive

may drive on any public road a vehicle of a class which he is licensed by the driving permit to drive, and subsection (1) of section 22 of the Act of 1933 shall be modified accordingly.

(3) Part III of the Act of 1933 modified as follows shall apply to the driving permit of a visitor in like manner as it applies to a driving licence:—

(a) sections 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 35 and 42 and subsection (6) of section 39 shall not apply to a driving permit;

(b) notwithstanding subsection (2) of section 23, a visitor may hold at the same time a domestic driving licence and an international driving permit;

(c) whenever a visitor who holds at the same time a domestic driving licence and an international driving permit is disqualified for holding a driving licence, both documents shall be suspended under subsection (1) of section 33, and any endorsement authorised under this article shall be made on both documents;

(d) when a driving permit suspended under section 33 is delivered under subsection (3) of that section to the district court clerk of the district in which the disqualification is made, it shall be sent by him to Dublin Corporation where—

(i) it shall be retained until it expires or until the period of suspension expires or until the visiting driver leaves the State whichever is the earlier, and

(ii) an endorsement shall be made on the part thereof reserved for endorsement or, if there is no such part, on the back thereof, to the effect that the right to use it in the State has been withdrawn for the period specified in the disqualification order;

(e) for the purpose of section 37 an endorsement authorised to be made on a driving permit under this article shall be deemed to be an endorsement made on a driving licence under Part III of the Act.

(4) The Road Traffic (Driving Licence) Regulations, 1934 ( S.R. and O. 1934 No. 151 ), except articles 4 to 11, shall apply to a driving permit in like manner as they apply to a driving licence.

15.—(1) Driving licences may be granted by any licensing body to persons who ordinarily reside outside the State.

(2) Where an application for a driving licence is made to a licensing body by a person who ordinarily resides outside the State and there has been paid to the licensing body by the person the excise duty for the time being required by law to be paid on the taking out of a driving licence, the licensing body shall grant to such person a driving licence if they are satisfied that the provisions of Part III of the Act of 1933 and the regulations made thereunder (other than the provision requiring an applicant for a licence to be ordinarily resident in the functional area of a licensing authority) have been complied with.

(3) Before granting a driving licence under this article a licensing body shall cause to be printed or otherwise marked on the front of the licence the words "Visitor's Driving Licence."

(4) The excise duty on driving licences collected under this article by a licensing body which is not a licensing authority shall be paid by such licensing body to the Minister at such times and in such manner as the Minister shall from time to time direct, and the sums so paid to the Minister shall be lodged by him to the credit of the Road Fund.

(5) A licensing body which is not a licensing authority shall keep such accounts and make such returns in relation to the excise duty on driving licenses received by them under this article as the Minister shall from time to time direct.

(6) Subject to the preceding paragraphs of this article every provision of the Roads Act, 1920 , the Act of 1933, the Finance (Excise Duties) (Vehicles) Act, 1952 , and any orders and regulations made thereunder in relation to driving licences and the excise duty thereon shall apply to driving licences granted under this article, and any reference in such Acts, orders and regulations to a licensing authority shall include a licensing body.

(7) In this article "licensing body " means the corporation of a county borough, the council of a county, the Automobile Association of Suffolk Street, Dublin and the Royal Irish Automobile Club of Dawson Street, Dublin.

16. As respects vehicles registered in the State and persons holding driving licences granted under Part III of the Act of 1933, the Automobile Association of Suffolk Street, Dublin and the Royal Irish Automobile Club of Dawson Street, Dublin are hereby authorised—

(a) to issue international driving permits under and in accordance with the Convention of 1949 and to charge for each permit a fee of ten shillings and six pence, and

(b) for the purposes of the Convention of 1949 to assign, in accordance with any directions given from time to time by the Minister, identification marks to trailers about to be brought out of the State by a person making a temporary stay out of the State.

FIRST SCHEDULE

PART I

Provisions of the Act of 1933 and of Orders and Regulations which are not to apply to a vehicle registered in a state which is a party to the Convention of 1926:

1. Sections 161 and 162 of the Act of 1933.

2. Articles 12 to 24, 29 to 30, 32 to 34, 36 to 39, 41 to 45 and 48 to 50 of the Mechanically Propelled Vehicles (Construction, Equipment and Use) Order, 1934 (S.R. and O. 1934, No. 150).

3. Articles 7, 8, 10, 11, 14 and 15 of the Lighting of Vehicles Regulations, 1934 ( S.R. and O. 1934, No. 166 ).

4. Mechanically Propelled Vehicles (Construction, Equipment and Use) Order, 1948 ( S.I. No. 240 of 1948 ).

5. Lighting of Vehicles (Amendment) Regulations, 1956 ( S.I. No. 334 of 1956 ).

PART II

Requirements to be complied with by a vehicle registered in a state which is a party to the Convention of 1926:

1. The lights referred to in the Convention of 1926 shall be carried duly lit and in an efficient condition in the same circumstances in which the corresponding lamps under Part X of the Act of 1933 would be required to be carried lit.

2. A vehicle (and any trailer attached thereto) shall not show a red light or red reflector to the front or a white reflector or (except in the case of a reversing light permitted by the domestic legislation of the state in which the vehicle is registered) a white light to the rear.

PART III

Provisions of the Act of 1933 and of Orders and Regulations which are not to apply to a vehicle registered in a state which is a party to the Convention of 1949:

1. Sections 161 and 162 of the Act of 1933.

2. Articles 12 to 24, 29 to 30, 32 to 34, 36 to 39, 41 to 45 and 48 to 50 of the Mechanically Propelled Vehicles (Construction, Equipment and Use) Order, 1934 ( S.R. and O. 1934, No. 150 ).

3. Articles 7, 8, 10, 11, 14 and 15 of the Lighting of Vehicles Regulations, 1934 ( S.R. and O. 1934, No. 166 ).

4. Mechanically Propelled Vehicles (Construction, Equipment and Use) Order, 1948 ( S.I. No. 240 of 1948 ).

5. Lighting of Vehicles (Amendment) Regulations, 1956 ( S.I. No. 334 of 1956 ).

PART IV

Requirements to be complied with by a vehicle registered in a state which is a party to the Convention of 1949:

1. The lights referred to in the Convention of 1949 shall be carried duly lit and in an efficient condition in the same circumstances in which the corresponding lamps under Part X of the act of 1933 would be required to be carried lit.

2. A vehicle (and any trailer attached thereto) shall not show a red light or red reflector to the front or a white reflector or (except in the case of a reversing light permitted by the domestic legislation of the state in which the vehicle is registered) a white light to the rear.

3. The number of trailers drawn by a vehicle shall not exceed that permitted under the Act of 1933 and the regulations thereunder.

SECOND SCHEDULE

FORM OF INTERNATIONAL MOTOR INSURANCE CARD

The card, which shall be green in colour, shall be in the following form:—

Page ......

INTERNATIONAL MOTOR INSURANCE CARD CARTE INTERNATIONALE D'ASSURANCE AUTOMOBILE (and language of issuing country if other than English or French).

PROVIDED BY

(name and address of issuing bureau).

MEMBER COMPANY

............................................................ ............................................................ .................

............................................................ ............................................................ ..................

Page......

(1) In each country visited, the Bureau of that country assumes, in respect of the use of the vehicle referred to herein, the liability of an Insurer in accordance with the laws relating to compulsory insurance in that country.

(2) After the date of expiry of this Card, liability is assumed by the Bureau of the country visited, if so required by the law of such country or by any agreement with its Government.

(3) In such case, the within-mentioned Insured undertakes to pay the premium due for the duration of the stay after the date for which the Insurance Card is valid has passed.

(4) I, the within-mentioned Insured, hereby authorise the Motor Insurers Bureau and the Bureaux of any mentioned countries, to which it may delegate such powers, to accept service of legal proceedings, to handle and eventually settle, on my behalf, any claim for damages in respect of liability to third parties required to be covered under the compulsory insurance laws of the country or countries specified herein, which may arise from the use of the vehicle in that country (those countries).

(5) Signature of the Insured.

(This Insurance Card is only valid when signed by the Insured).

Page......

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GIVEN under the Official Seal of the Minister for Local Government this Twenty-eighth day of November One Thousand Nine Hundred and Sixty-one.

NEIL T. BLANEY,

Minister for Local Government.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Order replaces, with amendments, the existing orders and regulations dealing with visiting vehicles, i.e., vehicles brought temporarily into the State by persons resident outside the State, and visiting drivers in respect of motor taxation, registration, driving licences, public service vehicle licensing, insurance, etc. The amendments chiefly arise from the accession of Ireland to the following international conventions:—the Convention on Road Traffic, 1949, Convention on the Taxation of Road Vehicles for Private use in International Traffic, 1956, Convention on the Taxation of Road Vehicles engaged in International Passenger Transport, 1956, Convention on the Taxation of Road Vehicles engaged in International Goods Transport, 1956.

Articles 3 to 5 provide for the exemption of visiting vehicles from motor taxation in certain circumstances. Article 3 provides for the exemption of the following categories of visiting vehicles:—(i) a vehicle used for " private " purposes—for a year provided it is exempt from customs duty; (ii) a public service vehicle engaged in the international transport of passengers—during exemption from customs duty (in effect, a limited period); (iii) a public service vehicle carrying only visitors within the State—for 31 days in a year; (iv) goods vehicle engaged in the international transport of goods—as at (ii). Concessions (i), (ii) and (iv) are based on international conventions, and concession (iii) has been in operation since 1958.

Articles 4 and 5 continue special arrangements for vehicles from Northern Ireland and " private " vehicles from Britain which may operate here free of motor taxation under their domestic tax discs. Other vehicles entitled to exemption from motor taxation will be required under article 6 to exhibit either a customs document (temporary importation permit) or a circulation permit. Furthermore, such vehicles will have to comply with article 7, which requires them to be registered, etc., in their own country and show a nationality plate under an international convention, or to be specially registered here. Article 8 indicates how visiting vehicles, not exempt from motor taxation, are to be taxed here. Article 9 requires the holder of a registration document in respect of a visiting vehicle to produce it on demand to the authorities here—this corresponds to a domestic provision affecting Irish registered vehicles. Domestic regulations define what is meant by the " registered owner " of a vehicle for the purposes of, e.g., the Road Traffic Act, 1961 ; article 10 deals similarly with visiting vehicles. Article 11 exempts visiting vehicles, their drivers and conductors from public service vehicle licensing here where they are properly licensed in their own countries. This continues a concession in operation since 1958. Article 12 gives effect to certain international conventions by providing that visiting vehicles which comply with their requirements regarding construction, equipment and lighting will be accepted here. Article 13 provides that international motor insurance cards will be accepted here as equivalent to certificates of motor insurance. This continues a concession in operation since 1952. Article 14 provides that a foreign driving licence or an international driving permit will be accepted here if used by a visitor. This continues a concession in operation since 1955. Article 15 indicates how a visitor may apply for an Irish driving licence. Article 16 enables the Automobile Association and the Royal Irish Automobile Club to issue documents, etc, for the purpose of facilitating Irish drivers taking their vehicles abroad.