Is this the way of the future?
Calls by some grey nomads for a federal driving licence and standard nationwide vehicle registration system look to have fallen on deaf ears.
Despite the extraordinary growth in the number of long-term interstate travellers, there are no plans to develop a uniform approach to simplify remote renewal of these vital documents.
It means grey nomads seeking to renew licences and registrations while interstate will continue to face a complex bureaucratic tangle. The costs involved in vehicle registration in each state vary wildly and the current ad hoc system is far from user-friendly for people constantly on the move.
A NSW driver seeking to renew his vehicle registration while in WA, for example, will have to seek out an ‘approved’ mechanic to inspect the vehicle, co-ordinate that approval being sent through to the RTA, and then hope the ‘unusual’ request doesn’t get lost in the system.
Heavy trucks which constantly travel interstate are granted ‘Federal’ licence plates but there are no such concessions for the average grey nomad.
Similarly, some out-of-home state motorists wishing to renew their drivers’ licences must download an online photo kit, complete forms, get a photo taken and then get a qualified witness to verify their identity or post their original licence to their home state’s motoring body. And then they must wait for their new licence to arrive via snail mail.
“I know from experience the problems of renewing away from home,” said Tasmanian grey nomad Lorraine Homewood. “National drivers’ licences would be the way to go, along with national registration of our vehicles.”
And it seems there are influential people who agree. Andrew McKellar is the Executive Director of the Australian Automobile Association.
“The AAA supports a nationally consistent approach to road rules, driver licencing and vehicles registration requirements across all states and territories,” he told the Grey Nomads website. “We are acutely aware of the inconvenience and safety concerns arising from these differing requirements across Australia for domestic and international travellers, and believe this situation needs to be addressed.”
While states and territories do now exchange licensing information including disqualification and demerit point details, the South Australian government says further changes would need to be considered nationally by transport ministers through the Standing Council on Transport and Infrastructure.
