MAY CHASSIS FRAMES BE EXCHANGED?
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TO what extent may the components of a lorry be transferred to another, without altering, for taxation and registration purposes, the identity of the vehicle? This was the point at issue in an interesting case before the Swansea Stipendiary Magistrate.
Messrs. Jones Brothers, of Waunarlwydd, were summoned for the alleged unlawful use of the licence of a lorry for another vehicle, for using the lorry without a licence under the Finance Act, and for altering the identity of the machine without giving notice to the registration authority.
For the defence, it was stated that Messrs. Jones purchased for £8 a second-hand lorry, with the intention of using some of the parts as spares. The lorry, which was dismantled, had never been operated on the road. The engine was installed in the licensed vehicle and the registration authority was notified of the change. Later, the frame was used to replace that of the service machine.
The defence argued that no law or regulation could be quoted to show that Messrs. Jones had offended against the Road Act, 1920, or the Road Traffic Act, 1930.
The Stipendiary said that the six summonses really turned on the changing of the chassis frame. The authorities, he said, took the view that the number of the chassis frame gave the identity of the vehicle, and, by substituting one frame for another, the identity would be altered. In 'view of the fact that Messrs. Jones had acted in good faith, the summonses alleging the unlawful use of a licence and the use of a lorry without a licence, under the Finance Act were dismissed. The defendants were called upon. to pay costs for not notifying the change of frame.