4. RON MARK (NZ First) Link to this
to the Minister for Courts
Of the people who applied for a limited licence in each of the past 3 years after being disqualified from driving or having had their licence suspended, how many had their applications granted and how many were dismissed, struck out, or refused?
Hon CHRIS CARTER (Acting Minister for Courts) Link to this
Applications granted, including applications by consent, were 3,668 in 2004, 3,403 in 2005, and 2,964 in 2006; dismissed were 12 in 2004, 16 in 2005, and 17 in 2006; struck out were two in 2004, two in 2005, and none in 2006; and refused applications were 17 in 2004, 15 in 2005, and 19 in 2006. The decision to grant a limited licence is made, of course, by a District Court judge who is required to make such decisions.
Does he think that allowing people convicted of dangerous driving, multiple speeding offences, and drunken driving to virtually buy their licences back after losing them is proving an effective deterrent to dangerous driving; if so, why does he think that?
I remind the member in the House again that decisions on whether a limited licence can be granted is, of course, made by a judge under our judicial system.
Does he think the limited licence application process is working as intended, given that there are online forums around entitled “How to get a limited licence for under $400”, companies that specialise in the “get your licence back” business, advertising now on radio, and that 99 out of 100 applications are approved—in effect, rubber-stamped?
There is a clear judicial process for judges to follow to consider whether a limited licence can be granted. These reasons include extreme hardship to the applicant, undue hardship to a person other than the applicant, and “an order under this section is not contrary to the interests of public safety”. Those are fairly clear guidelines.
I seek the leave of the House to table an online forum from www.kiwibiker.co.nz entitled “How to get a Limited License for under $400.00”.