On November 26th 2008, several
Club members, including myself, attended a meeting to hear a report on the
current state of play regarding the much-anticipated changes to the Red Plate
system. What follows is a brief summary of that meeting, together with some
suggested future implications.
The Club Permit Scheme (CPS) as we know it,
has operated since the late 80’s, although the true history of the scheme goes
back to June 1960.
The C.P.S. operates under a set of rules
based on the Victorian Traffic Handbook, and contained in “The Victorian Club
Permit Scheme – Handbook – June 2005”. Member involvement is based around
actual Club activities, legitimate preparation for Club activities, and limited
private use through the issuing of “special use permits”.
While every effort has been made to iron
out problems along the way with the current scheme, by interested peak bodies
such as Vic roads, Victoria Police, Association of Motoring Clubs (A.O.M.C.)
and Federation of Vintage, Veteran, Classic and Historic Clubs (F.V.V.C.H.C.)
to name a few; more serious systemic problems have emerged, based largely on
“interesting” personal and club interpretation of the rules from time to time.
With this in mind, a proposal for a 90
and/or 45 day log book system was put up for discussion by A.O.M.C. based on
successful schemes operating in England and (for the past 15 years) here in
South Australia. Over what seems like the last 6 years, a great deal of
discussion and debate has occurred, to the point where, according to what we
heard at the previously mentioned meeting (A.O.M.C. 26 November 2008) Vicroads
have now prepared a draft technical paper, which, together with a yet to be
written draft policy paper, will be presented to The Minister for Roads for his
consideration.
However, two important points are noted here:
1. The actual wording or intent of these
two (technical and policy) papers was not made clear to the meeting.
2. No time line was given as to when the
new scheme, in whatever form it may take, would begin.
Adding to this, it now appears that the
Federation (F.V.V.C.H.C.) have suggested a proposal of their own, which also
incorporates a logbook, but with continued emphisis on club activity. This
proposal consists of club related use, as we know it, PLUS a 30 or 45
day log book for limited private use, testing, maintenance etc.
It should be noted here that both A.O.M.C.
and F.V.V.C.H.C. proposals would do away with the existing “special permits”
entirely.
Special permits have long been the bane of the
scheme’s existence. For example, the police everywhere are thoroughly sick of
these permits and the “imaginative” use to which they have been put, by crafty
individuals and clubs.
So where to from here?
1. Everyone agrees that a move to a logbook
system will be a good thing.
2. Everyone agrees that the current fee
structure represents excellent value for money; although this may change, with
a change to log books, thus reflecting the likelihood of more frequent use
and/or freedom of choice.
3. It is clear that the hobby vehicle
movement, in its many and varied forms, continues to grow strongly; together
with the specialist repair, restoration and parts industry that has grown up
around it.
4. It is clear therefore, that the Club
Permit Scheme should continue to evolve and move on with the times.
5. With regards our Club’s interest in the
scheme, the final decision about any changes clearly rest with The Minister for
Roads and Vicroads, in conjunction with, and input from, the peak umbrella bodies,
such as A.O.M.C. / F.V.V.C.H.C. / Australian Street Rod Federation and C.A.M.S.
again to name but a few!
However, it is felt that our best source of
information has been through A.O.M.C. whom, historically have been the chief
external organisers and negotiators with Vic roads for many years. The
A.O.M.C.’s charter has always been to draw together and represent clubs
involved in the hobby vehicle movement as one united and coherent voice.
So, dear long suffering red plate
enthusiasts, all I can add at this stage is to stay tuned!
I
believe that the process has recently taken on a renewed sense of urgency; that
the time for talk is coming to an end, and some hard decision-making is not far
off. Let’s all hope that 2009 is the year of change for The Club Permit Scheme.
“This
article is an edited version of an article published in the BMW Motorcycle
Club’s newsletter earlier this year; for publication here. As I write this
postscript in mid- February, nothing has changed, and so, we all continue to wait!”
