(1)  No person shall use, or cause or allow any other person to use, a motor vehicle in a public street unless a premium has been paid for its use at the time, and in the circumstances and under the conditions, in which it was so used.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or both.

(1AA)  Subsection (1) does not apply to a trailer of a prescribed kind.

(1A)  Subsection (1) does not apply to a motor vehicle to which section 19 applies.

(1B)  In any proceedings for an offence under subsection (1) the production of a document purporting to be signed by an employee of the Board authorized by it to sign that document certifying whether or not a premium has been paid for the use of a specified vehicle and, if a premium has been paid, particulars of the use in respect of which it was so paid, shall be prima facie evidence of the facts so certified.

(1C)  It is a defence to a charge of an offence under subsection (1) to prove that, at the time the motor vehicle was being used –

(a) it was proceeding (under its own power or under tow) for the purpose of registration, by the most direct or convenient route to a place at which vehicles are registered, a vehicle inspection station, a weighbridge or another place directly associated with the registration process; or

(b) it was proceeding (under its own power or under tow) from any such place by the most direct or convenient route to –

(i) another such place; or

(ii) a place where the vehicle could be conveniently garaged or kept; or

(iii) a convenient place of repair after failing to pass inspection.

(2)  Section 17 of the Vehicle and Traffic Act 1999 applies as if an offence under subsection (1) of this section were an offence against that Act.

(3)  Where a motor vehicle is used in a public street by any person that person and the owner of that motor vehicle shall give such information as may be required of him by a police officer or an authorized officer, for the purpose of determining whether the motor vehicle was or was not being used in contravention of this section.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 2 penalty units.

(4)  For the purposes of this section, an authorized officer means any person authorized by the Transport Commission to act as an authorized officer under the Traffic Act 1925 .

(5)  This section commences on the appointed day.