Government pulls pin on hot-rod chaperones for school formals

[Taily]

I agree 100 % (in theory) with the above members opinions. What I mean by 'in theory' is that safety , insurance and a level playing field with commercial operators should be enforced but I also see another tradition being eroded by government red tape. (Are we over governed?)
Another point - with the members opinions in mind you must then also agree that work on a car such as brakes, steering, suspension, etc. should be carried out by licenced qualified mechanics and not weekend warriors and their mates. True??

We are over governed in my opinion, but I also fall on the side of the government on this one. A commercial operator goes through a great many hoops and great expense to set-up, insure, market and grow a compliant, safe and viable company. I wouldn't have the foggiest what the profit margins are like but wouldn't imagine they'd be massive and they do not need competition that doesn't have the same overheads, compliance or even safety level doing it for less and taking valuable customers from them. This isn't about someone taking their nephew/son/daughter/kid next door to their formal for nothing and out of the goodness of your heart.

The issues of the levels of maintenance of these "backyarders" is a very good one and I'm sure some of them will say "Nah mate, it's good enough"... It might be good enough if the person looking after it is a qualified mechanic or even a fairly switched-on amateur, but then again who is liable if (when) a bodgied-up backyard steering/suspension/brake repair goes really wrong and someone gets really hurt or even worse? The person who did the work and the person who authorised the work are the ones the law and insurance companies will chase.

I'm not sure if it is still going (just googled it and it is) but there are some companies that do this sort of vehicle hire anyway and have gone to extraordinary lengths (and spent really big money) to get these cars to an industry standard and try to earn a living with them. These type of operations are the ones that loose out the most when back yarders get involved: http://www.classicchevyhirecars.com.au/

[Flamenco_not_Flamingo]

We are over governed in my opinion, but I also fall on the side of the government on this one. A commercial operator goes through a great many hoops and great expense to set-up, insure, market and grow a compliant, safe and viable company. I wouldn't have the foggiest what the profit margins are like but wouldn't imagine they'd be massive and they do not need competition that doesn't have the same overheads, compliance or even safety level doing it for less and taking valuable customers from them. This isn't about someone taking their nephew/son/daughter/kid next door to their formal for nothing and out of the goodness of your heart.

The issues of the levels of maintenance of these "backyarders" is a very good one and I'm sure some of them will say "Nah mate, it's good enough"... It might be good enough if the person looking after it is a qualified mechanic or even a fairly switched-on amateur, but then again who is liable if (when) a bodgied-up backyard steering/suspension/brake repair goes really wrong and someone gets really hurt or even worse? The person who did the work and the person who authorised the work are the ones the law and insurance companies will chase.

I'm not sure if it is still going (just googled it and it is) but there are some companies that do this sort of vehicle hire anyway and have gone to extraordinary lengths (and spent really big money) to get these cars to an industry standard and try to earn a living with them. These type of operations are the ones that loose out the most when back yarders get involved: http://www.classicchevyhirecars.com.au/

I am pretty sure that the way around the red tape that lots of people "may" do, off the record lol, is if your a member of a car club and have club registration you are "supposedly" ok to accept payment as long as it's a "donation" to the car club of which you are a financial member.

[HK1837]

We are over governed in my opinion, but I also fall on the side of the government on this one. A commercial operator goes through a great many hoops and great expense to set-up, insure, market and grow a compliant, safe and viable company. I wouldn't have the foggiest what the profit margins are like but wouldn't imagine they'd be massive and they do not need competition that doesn't have the same overheads, compliance or even safety level doing it for less and taking valuable customers from them. This isn't about someone taking their nephew/son/daughter/kid next door to their formal for nothing and out of the goodness of your heart.

The issues of the levels of maintenance of these "backyarders" is a very good one and I'm sure some of them will say "Nah mate, it's good enough"... It might be good enough if the person looking after it is a qualified mechanic or even a fairly switched-on amateur, but then again who is liable if (when) a bodgied-up backyard steering/suspension/brake repair goes really wrong and someone gets really hurt or even worse? The person who did the work and the person who authorised the work are the ones the law and insurance companies will chase.

I'm not sure if it is still going (just googled it and it is) but there are some companies that do this sort of vehicle hire anyway and have gone to extraordinary lengths (and spent really big money) to get these cars to an industry standard and try to earn a living with them. These type of operations are the ones that loose out the most when back yarders get involved: http://www.classicchevyhirecars.com.au/

If you look under the "Our Cars" tab on the Classic Chevy Hire Cars link Dave posted above you can see my old '57 Chevy. She's called Norma Jean.

[playwme]

The TV, ad or movie production company has their own insurance. They are the licensed entity.

[davegmh]

The TV, ad or movie production company has their own insurance. They are the licensed entity.

The easiest way to think of it is to ask yourself this question - who is the principle contractor?
In the case of a movie or add they are in the case of formals or weddings the car owner is.

[wbute]

There is nothing new as far as red tape is concerned. The people who are making money out of their cars were either unintentionally unaware or were cutting corners. Every business needs a public liability insurance. Nothing new there. That no doubt was only one corner that is being cut.

[V8VAN]

I know the club I'm a member of used to do it, but it got knocked on the head for most of the reasons above.

[davegmh]

A very nice looking Chevy !!!!
Ps. A mate of mine wants me and my ute to help him move house. He said he would pay for the fuel and give me a couple of bottles of rum. Do I need a special licence.? Does this constitute running a 'business'?

[Taily]

A very nice looking Chevy !!!!
Ps. A mate of mine wants me and my ute to help him move house. He said he would pay for the fuel and give me a couple of bottles of rum. Do I need a special licence.? Does this constitute running a 'business'?

Dave, nah. That is a bit different to advertising for a service to the general public. Besides, who hasn't helped a mate/rello or family friend every now and again? Fuel and some carton currency is par for the course and is a given. Doing this sort of thing (from what I understand) isn't what the fun police are trying to stop, it is the person/s who advertise it for a fee and trying to make money from their car over and above "costs".

Flammers, dunno about that one. I'm not into the car club scene so have no idea how that works but can see what you're referring to. Clubs cost money to run/insure etc so guess it is all going to a good cause in the end. I would think they'd have their own set of rules to be complied with for it to happen?

Byron, she's gorgeous. It must have broken your heart to see her drive away...

James, I'd just settle for two years of spare time just to catch up on all of the stuff I want to get done now, let alone what else I would like to do before I shuffle off! PLI is a killer though, gone are the days when they had a "one size fits all" type of small business policy that was above all, affordable. Now it is all about what the insurance company can weasel out of and getting top dollar for the right to fleece you.

Times have certainly changed from the hardworking but carefree days of the 80's and 90's I remember - and I'm not all that old!

[chrisp]

As a one off between friends, no.