Reminder notices to help motorists avoid fines

Christchurch City Council's parking compliance team will, from next month, be issuing much more pleasant surprises than fines.

If a car's warrant of fitness (WOF) or licence has expired, a compliance officer will place a friendly reminder notice under the windscreen wiper.

Parking Compliance Team Leader Darryl O'Keefe says usually motorists with expired WOFs or licences can be fined $200.

"Often people are not aware of this and getting a fine can be an unpleasant surprise. This initiative is designed to give motorists an opportunity to put things right," Mr O'Keefe says.

The reminder notices will be in use from 1 November 2014.

The notices have four symbols at the top - an exclamation point emphasising a warning, a car with a small mark indicating the WOF or license location, a smiley face showing the friendly nature of the reminder, and a tick in anticipation of the motorist doing the right thing.

The WOF notice is bright blue with white writing and the licence reminder is white with bright blue writing.

The notices are signed, 'Thanks, from your friendly parking compliance team' and have a phone number motorists can call if they have any questions.

Mr O'Keefe says if any cars are found with WOF or licence more than 15 days overdue, a ticket may still be issued.

"The reminder notices are intended to encourage action towards getting the appropriate compliance for vehicles within the legal time limit," Mr O'Keefe says.

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