Licences for Steersmen—Are They Expedient or Necessary ?
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We have again been asked, by several correspondents, to state our views in respect of the taking out by owners of an annual driver's licence, at a cost of 5s. each, for -the steersman -Of a steam lorry or tractor. No all-embracing answer can be given to these inquiries, because the reply depends as much upon the manner of use of some types of engines and tractors as upon their construction. We may again,. none the less, deal with the matter quite briefly. The subject is, of course, an arguable one.
There is clearly no necessity for a second _6s. per annum to be paid, in respect of .the same vehicle or tractor, if the second man Who goes out with it is strictly a " mate "to the driver, for stoking, sanding, clinkering, scotching, porterage or any duty other than steering. If the man at any vane steers the I,rehicle instead of the drher, thereby being placed in a position of control over its direction, which division of duties we know is allowed to occur at times, then we Consider it certainly to be expedient that the second licence should be taken out for the steersman. It is cheaper, in those 'cases, to pay 5s. a year aliare than to contest the claim. The flisst pod test case will, we hope, be taken up, but not all cases are comparable. This point of a second 5s. licence is one of many in the Motor Cars (Use and Construction) Order that requires to be made clearer. We think it was not the intention of the framers of any Act or Regulation that the second man should have a 5.s. licence, yet certain wording can be so construed to apply to the steersman of a wagon or tractor running free with the power off, and possibly at other times, such as in the absence of the driver. This s.mall bat important detail iS no doubt. one of many in the C.M.U.A. notes for the preparation and presentation of evidence.