from usa today
New Zealanders registering their cars as hearses to save on fees
Posted 8/4/2006 11:30 AM
WELLINGTON (AFP) — Canny New Zealanders have reportedly taken to registering their cars as hearses to take advantage of a loophole giving part-time undertakers a discount on their fee.
Many motorists in the city of Christchurch had managed to slash their registration from the normal levy of $160 to the special $37 rate for "non-commercial hearses," radio station NewstalkZB reported.
It said some road users had successfully argued their vehicle qualified as a hearse because it was used to bring dead chickens home from the supermarket.
The station said a female caller revealed the scam during a talkback segment and Land Transport New Zealand, which oversees car registrations, was not amused.
Agency spokesman Andy Knackstead told the station that people who falsely claimed their cars were non-commercial hearses were breaking the law and ripping off motorists who paid the full fee.
He said authorities would review the situation and consider calling in the police if it was found that abuse of the loophole was widespread.
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