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MOTOR VEHICLES ACT 1959 - SECT 139

MOTOR VEHICLES ACT 1959 - SECT 139

139—Inspection of motor vehicles

        (1)         Subject to this section, the Registrar or an authorised vehicle inspector may examine a motor vehicle for any of the following purposes:

            (a)         verifying any information disclosed in—

                  (i)         an application made to the Registrar in respect of the vehicle or any evidence provided by an applicant in response to a requirement of the Registrar under this Act; or

                  (ii)         a notice of the making of an alteration or addition to the vehicle given to the Registrar by a person under section 44 or any evidence provided by a person in response to a requirement of the Registrar under that section;

            (b)         ascertaining any facts on which the amount of any fee or payment to the Registrar in respect of the vehicle depends;

            (c)         ascertaining whether—

                  (i)         the vehicle complies with an Act or law that regulates the design, construction or maintenance of such a vehicle; or

                  (ii)         the vehicle would, if driven on a road, put the safety of persons using the road at risk;

            (d)         ascertaining whether the vehicle or part of the vehicle is or may be stolen.

        (2)         A motor vehicle may not be examined for the purposes of subsection (1)(c) unless—

            (a)         the vehicle is of a class prescribed for the purposes of that subsection; or

            (b)         an application to register, or transfer the registration of, the vehicle has been made; or

            (c)         notice of the making of an alteration or addition to the vehicle is given, or is required to be given, to the Registrar by a person under section 44; or

            (d)         prescribed circumstances exist.

        (3)         The Registrar may determine that motor vehicles of a class prescribed for the purposes of subsection (1)(c) must be examined periodically at intervals prescribed by the regulations.

        (4)         For the purposes of subsection (1)—

            (a)         the Registrar or an authorised vehicle inspector may take from any part of a motor vehicle a sample of any liquid fuel used or appearing to be used for propelling that vehicle;

            (b)         the Registrar, a police officer or an authorised officer may—

                  (i)         enter and remain in any premises at any reasonable time and search those premises for motor vehicles; or

                  (ii)         require a person to produce a motor vehicle at a specified authorised inspection station or other specified place at a specified day and time for the purpose of examination.

        (5)         The Registrar, a police officer or an authorised officer may only exercise the powers conferred by subsection (4)(b)(i) in respect of residential premises on the authority of a warrant issued by a magistrate.

        (6)         A warrant may not be issued unless the magistrate is satisfied that the warrant is reasonably required in the circumstances.

        (7)         An application for the issue of a warrant—

            (a)         may be made either personally or by telephone; and

            (b)         must be made in accordance with any procedures prescribed by the regulations.

        (8)         A person of whom a requirement is made by the Registrar, a police officer or an authorised officer under subsection (4)(b)(ii) must not refuse or fail to comply with the requirement.

Maximum penalty: $10 000.

        (9)         A person must not—

            (a)         without reasonable excuse, hinder or obstruct an authorised vehicle inspector in the exercise of powers under this section; or

            (b)         falsely represent, by words or conduct, that the person is an authorised vehicle inspector; or

            (c)         falsely represent, by words or conduct, that premises are an authorised inspection station.

Maximum penalty: $10 000.

        (10)         The Registrar may—

            (a)         authorise a person, or persons of a specified class, to examine motor vehicles for the purposes of this section;

            (b)         authorise the use of specified premises as an inspection station for the examination of motor vehicles for the purposes of this section;

            (c)         make an authorisation under paragraph (a) or (b) subject to such terms and conditions as the Registrar thinks fit;

            (d)         vary or revoke an authorisation under paragraph (a) or (b) at any time.

        (11)         The Minister may, for the purposes of this section, establish a code of practice to be observed by persons authorised to examine motor vehicles in accordance with this section.

        (12)         A person who contravenes a code of practice established under this section is guilty of an offence.

Maximum penalty: $10 000.

        (13)         A person authorised by the Registrar to examine motor vehicles for the purposes of this section may, with the approval of the Minister, charge fees for the examination of a motor vehicle that exceed the fees prescribed under this Act or the Road Traffic Act 1961 for that purpose.

        (14)         The Minister may, for the purposes of subsection (13), grant or revoke an approval as the Minister thinks fit, or make any approval subject to such conditions as the Minister thinks fit.

        (15)         In this section—

"authorised inspection station" means premises used as an inspection station for the examination of motor vehicles pursuant to an authorisation under subsection (10);

"authorised vehicle inspector" means—

            (a)         an authorised officer; or

            (b)         a police officer; or

            (c)         a person, or person of a class, authorised to examine motor vehicles pursuant to an authorisation under subsection (10).