Re: UNCLAS//N11240//Re: [MV] Import/MV's

Renaud OLGIATI (rolgiati@conexion.com.py)
Fri, 06 Aug 1999 07:04:10 -0400

At 17:50 05/08/99 -0700, Antoine Compin wrote:
>Now, back on-topic:
>Re: Roadworthiness tests for Mil-Vehs: in most, if not all of
>the countries that I know of, the "collector" or "Historical
>Status" of a vehicle can dispense from a full-fledged DOT-type
>test which would mean conformity with current road rules. It's a
>hassle, but it is possible. Depending on the countries, the age
>of the vehicle determines it's eligibility for the "collector's
>vehicle" status. In France it's 25 years. I would be surprised
>if OZ did'nt have such a system in place. Incidentally, in
>France, MB's and GPW's properly maintained WILL pass the
>braking, horn and steering tests, but not the service lights
>tests without the addition of turn signals and parking lights.
>Some test centers will even accept a metal reflectorized
>triangle to place on the road in lieu of the Hazard warning
>lights.My Jeep MB and trailer have a "normal" registration and a
>minimal alteration of the black-out lights for turn signals. the
>parking lights I put on for the test every two years, and I
>remove after ;)... Many Western European countries have similar
>systems in place.

Antoine, EVERY test center in France will accept the warning triangle
instead of hazard lights for vehicles built after 1972 or therafter; in the
same way they WILL accept semaphore-type turn indicators and only one
tail-light / stop-light for vehicles built before 1956; it was one of the
provisions of the French Code de la Route when the lights were changed,
older vehicles were exempt from the new measure; only exception to this are
the turn indicators that HAD to be fitted to vehicles that did not have any.

I know, I studied this in depth to see what I had to fit onto my K=FCbel to
make it road-legal; surprise, the original equipment was OK under French
law ;-)

But to take it on the road, I had one of these bars they sell for trailers
with BIG tail-lights and reflectors which I hung from the tail hooks, and
which I hid out of sight at the MV meet.

The greater worry I had concerning the tests was the cable-operated brakes,
but I found a sympathetic test-center, whose owner owned vintage cars, and
my K=FCbel always came back from the test with red print-out in the Braking
section, and a hand-written note "Freins =E0 cables, freinage satisfaisant"
(cable brakes, braking OK) in the margin.

Cheers,

Ron the Frog, in Darkest Paraguay

"-And how do you know he is the King ?" =20
"-He is the only one who is not covered in shit."
-- Monty Python, the Holy Grail
-- http://personales.conexion.com.py/~rolgiati/ --=20

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