New Testing Rules and Lefthand Drive Issues

[Andrew]

My baby Mog is a 411. It is a LHD tractor according the owners manual. It travels at 45km an hour and weighs 1 900kgs.

The saving grace, after two years of struggle - it is registered as a 1550L with an engine capacity of 5,7L (true size an OM636 1.8 diesel). Cannot get this right and have given up and to top it all, it is licensed as a Unimog Bakkie?????.

I will not attempt to do anything further, it is a waste of time and money and will export it to Europe if need be.

And then the next thing will be to nail you for carbon tax on a 5.7l.

I nearly had my cabrio impounded by an aggressive Pta Metro the other day because unbeknown to me the licence disc said "0 passengers" and "0 kg" and type"Unknown". This cost three trips to the licence office, testing grounds and more than a month to sort.

It will be a pity to lose your 411 to Europe but hopefully you wont follow it. .[/I]

[Naeem]

Hi guys,

I know this topic has been discussed before, but I want to know if there has been any development/changes to legislation since then.

The reason for me asking is that I am considering buying a LHD Gwagen which has been previously registered and still is on the e-natis system.

Any advice is more than welcome.

Thanks,

[PUCHG]

Naeem

I also have a LHD G which is on the enatis system. I believe people made a big fuss about nothing. There is a lot of classic LHD cars in the country and Johan Rupert owns a few and he will make sure the government doesn't f[at]#$ the system. If its registered and on enatis you can buy it and register in you name easily. Its more the LHDs like unimogs that is restored and haven't been registered that have a problem.

In terms of driving a LHD, I really love it. You feel like a tourist in your own country....
It actually feels more safe because you are more in touch with the side of the road where most accidents happens like hitting pedestrians, cyclists and animals.

Passing cars is easy because you see over them
Only when passing a truck it is more difficult......but hey.....you can't really pass a car with a RHD G, because its to slow.


Regards

Anton

[Naeem]

Naeem

I also have a LHD G which is on the enatis system. I believe people made a big fuss about nothing. There is a lot of classic LHD cars in the country and Johan Rupert owns a few and he will make sure the government doesn't f[at]#$ the system. If its registered and on enatis you can buy it and register in you name easily. Its more the LHDs like unimogs that is restored and haven't been registered that have a problem.

In terms of driving a LHD, I really love it. You feel like a tourist in your own country....
It actually feels more safe because you are more in touch with the side of the road where most accidents happens like hitting pedestrians, cyclists and animals.

Passing cars is easy because you see over them
Only when passing a truck it is more difficult......but hey.....you can't really pass a car with a RHD G, because its to slow.


Regards

Anton

Thanks Anton,

In the very unlikely even that I need to sell it down the line, do you think it will be a problem?

Regards,

Naeem

[Dawie Louw]

Thanks Anton,

In the very unlikely even that I need to sell it down the line, do you think it will be a problem?

Regards,

Naeem

Apparently from what I understand this is key to the whole issue: ".... provided the vehicle was registered in S.A. prior to the 24th July 2004."

So you should not have an issue if it is currently registered.

Dawie

[190e]

Hi
For me the issue is not really the registration issue but the
obtuteness of a LHD vehicle!! A number of Gs have been attractive but when people hear its a LHD they loose interest....



Cheers

[Dawie Louw]

I agree with you, there are a few issues with LHD. Keeping a "braai-tang" in the car for paying at toll booths and parking garages is one thing, passing heavies on a single lane, busy open road, something else.

My only expierence was with (old) army trucks in the sixties. Once had one without working indicators and a broken RH rearview mirror. Not nice when you wish to change lanes or turn right. That's when size also counts!