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ROAD SAFETY ACT 1986 - SECT 84ZA

Application for variation of order


S. 84ZA(1AA) inserted by No. 76/2010 s. 24(1).

    (1AA)     In this section—

"offender" means a person believed to have committed the relevant offence in relation to which the motor vehicle was impounded, immobilised or forfeited.

    (1)     A person whose interests are substantially affected by an impoundment or immobilisation order or a forfeiture order may apply to the court that made the order for variation of the order if the applicant can demonstrate—

        (a)     that since the impoundment or immobilisation order or forfeiture order was made the applicant's circumstances have changed; and

        (b)     that the impoundment or immobilisation order or forfeiture order is causing, or will cause, exceptional hardship to the applicant or any other person.

    (2)     An application under subsection (1) to vary an impoundment or immobilisation order may be made at any time while the motor vehicle is impounded or immobilised.

S. 84ZA(2A) inserted by No. 76/2010 s. 24(2).

    (2A)     An application under subsection (1) cannot be made on the grounds of exceptional hardship caused to the offender if—

        (a)     either—

S. 84ZA
(2A)(a)(i) amended by No. 5/2016 s. 36(Sch.  1 item 45).

              (i)     the offender is disqualified from obtaining a driver licence or learner permit; or

S. 84ZA
(2A)(a)(ii) amended by No. 5/2016 s. 36(Sch.  1 item 45).

              (ii)     the offender's driver licence or learner permit is suspended; and

        (b)     in the case of an application relating to an impoundment or immobilisation order, the suspension or disqualification is for a period longer than the period of impoundment or immobilisation.

S. 84ZA(2B) inserted by No. 76/2010 s. 24(2).

    (2B)     An application under subsection (1) cannot be made on the grounds of exceptional hardship if the impoundment or immobilisation order or forfeiture order was made in accordance with section 84ZAC.

    (3)     An application under subsection (1) to vary a forfeiture order may be made at any time while the motor vehicle is vested in the Crown.

S. 84ZA(4) amended by No. 76/2010 s. 24(3).

    (4)     Subject to subsections (5), (6) and (7), the court may make an order varying an impoundment or immobilisation order or a forfeiture order in any way, including—

        (a)     setting aside the impoundment or immobilisation order or forfeiture order; or

        (b)     reducing the amount of time that the motor vehicle is subject to impoundment or immobilisation.

S. 84ZA(5) inserted by No. 76/2010 s. 24(4).

    (5)     The court must not make an order under subsection (4) on the grounds of exceptional hardship relating to the offender's employment unless the applicant satisfies the court that—

        (a)     driving the impounded or immobilised motor vehicle is essential (not merely convenient) for the offender's employment; and

        (b)     no other transport to his or her place of employment is available to the offender; and

        (c)     the offender, after making reasonable enquiries, is unable to arrange for another person to drive the offender to his or her place of employment.

S. 84ZA(6) inserted by No. 76/2010 s. 24(4).

    (6)     In determining whether to make an order under subsection (4), the court must have regard to the safety of the public and the public interest in preventing the use of a motor vehicle that the court considers is reasonably likely in all the circumstances to be used for further driving offences.

S. 84ZA(7) inserted by No. 76/2010 s. 24(4).

    (7)     If the court makes an order under subsection (4) setting aside the impoundment or immobilisation order or forfeiture order, it may require the applicant (other than the offender) to give an undertaking that the motor vehicle will not be made available to be driven by the offender during a period not exceeding—

        (a)     3 months if the application is for an impoundment or immobilisation order and—

S. 84ZA
(7)(a)(i) amended by No. 5/2016 s. 36(Sch.  1 item 45).

              (i)     the offender is disqualified from obtaining a driver licence or learner permit for a period not exceeding 3 months; or

S. 84ZA
(7)(a)(ii) amended by No. 5/2016 s. 36(Sch.  1 item 45).

              (ii)     the offender's driver licence or learner permit is suspended for a period not exceeding 3 months; or

        (b)     12 months in any other case.

Note

Section 84ZAC provides for the impoundment, immobilisation or forfeiture of the motor vehicle on breach of the undertaking.

S. 84ZA(8) inserted by No. 76/2010 s. 24(4).

    (8)     A person is deemed to be released from an undertaking given under subsection (7) if, on appeal—

        (a)     the driver is found not guilty of the relevant offence in relation to which the motor vehicle was impounded, immobilised or forfeited and is not found guilty of any other relevant offence arising out of the same single set of circumstances; or

        (b)     the conviction for that relevant offence is set aside.

S. 84ZAB inserted by No. 76/2010 s. 25.



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