Cars - Motor Vehicles
Diplomats have special privileges in Australia for the purchasing of motor vehicles for themselves and their family. Diplomatic purchases are exempt of import duty, luxury car tax, and also exempt of goods and services tax (GST). GST is also refundable for the purchase of petrol (gas). Conditions apply.
Details are available from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) at the Protocol Guidelines section at:-
http://www.dfat.gov.au/protocol/Protocol_Guidelines/index.html
The relevant sections are:-
Privileges and Immunities
Exemption from Taxes and Excise Duties
Motor Vehicles
Driving in Australia
As a result of these special privileges, many Diplomats choose to purchase luxury motor vehicles when they are in Australia. Upon their departure from Australia, these diplomatic vehicles are often able to be sold at a profit. This means the Diplomat can enjoy driving a prestige vehicle, and the tax benefits and factory discounts generally cover the cost of the purchase and use of the vehicle.
The following prestige dealers have special arrangements with the factory and have special staff to deal with Diplomats. Please ask for the Manager of Diplomatic Sales.
These dealers also have special financing arrangements for Diplomats. This can include a guaranteed buy-back price in the agreement.
BMW
Rolfe Classic BMW
2 Botany St, Phillip
Ph: (02) 6208 4111
bmw@rolfeclassic.com
www.rolfeclassic.bmw.com.au
MERCEDES
Mercedes Benz Canberra
38 Collie Street
Fyshwick ACT 2609
Ph: (02) ) 6280 5500
AUDI
Audi Centre Canberra
152 Melrose Drive
Phillip ACT 2606
Ph: (02) 6281 1000
VOLVO
Rolfe Motors
29 Botany Street
Phillip ACT 2606
Ph: (02) 6282 4888
Car Insurance
Car insurance comes in two types.
"Third party" insurance protects someone you injury in a car accident (in your car, another vehicle, or a pedestrian). Third party insurance is compulsory in Australia. In the ACT the sole insurer is NRMA Insurance.
"Comprehensive" insurance covers damage done to your own vehicle or another vehicle. Most insurance companies offer comprehensive insurance.
Insurance can be arranged through insurance brokers or, in some cases, direct with the insurance company. A listing of insurance brokers is on the Yellow Pages - www.yellowpages.com.au
Driver's Licence
All diplomats who wish to drive in Australia must hold a currently valid driver's licence, either issued in the sending State or by the relevant Australian State or Territory authority.
For an overseas licence to be acceptable, in addition to being current and valid, it must be written in English or have with it an English translation certified by the mission as being genuine.
Drivers are required by law to carry their licence at all times when in charge of a motor vehicle. Failure to carry their licence, or not having a licence that is valid, may result in the issue of a traffic infringement notice.
To obtain a driver's licence in the ACT, applicants are required to provide satisfactory proof of identity - a valid passport or identity card (issued by DFAT) as well as an original, currently valid, overseas driver's licence (photocopies are not acceptable), with English translation if applicable. Dependent children, who are not issued with DFAT identity cards, should present their passport, valid driver's licence (if they have one) and the following information, on mission letterhead:
• details of the parent who is a diplomatic, ie. full name, identity card number, entitlement (diplomatic), and licence and/or car registration number
• details of dependant, ie. full name and full address
Applicants who need to undertake the written and practical tests to qualify for a driver's licence should contact the Motor Vehicle Registry at Dickson, Ph: (02) 6207 7000, for further information.
Traffic and parking infringements
In Canberra, Australian Federal Police and ACT Government Officers issue on-the-spot traffic, parking infringement notices and other infringement notices.
Licence demerit points
Traffic infringements (but not parking infringements) incur a fine PLUS licence demerit points. Incurring 12 or more demerit points results in suspension of a driver's licence. A diplomat incurring 7 or more demerit points will be reported to DFAT Protocol Branch and if the matter were considered sufficiently serious, this could result in requesting that the individual responsible be withdrawn from Australia.
Breath testing
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is regarded in Australia as a serious offence. The large number of serious accidents caused by this offence results in strong action being taken.
Police have the authority to stop any motor vehicle and request that the driver submit to a breath screening test. Any request to stop by a police officer must be obeyed. DFAT has advised Diplomats that, in their view, a request to stop does not constitute "detention" or involve any question of immunity. Diplomats are expected to undergo an alcohol breath test when requested to do so by a police officer. This includes random breath testing.
DFAT has advised that a police officer may request the driver of a motor vehicle bearing diplomatic registration plates to submit to a breath screening test. Drivers who can provide appropriate diplomatic identity may either accede to or refuse the police request. DFAT asks that any person who enjoys diplomatic immunity cooperate, in the interests of public safety, if asked to submit to a screening test. This will not only protect the driver and any potential victim but will provide proof of the facts should any subsequent suggestion be made that the person was driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Refusal to comply with a request to submit to a breath test in these circumstances may be taken into account by DFAT in deciding whether to take further action.
DFAT has advised that where the driver is able to establish appropriate diplomatic identity but refuses to undergo a screening test, the police authorities have no obligation to allow the driver to continue to drive if, in their judgement, his or her continued driving poses a danger to the public. In the interests of the public and the driver's safety, the police authorities may assist by making arrangements for the driver to get to his or her destination. This may include requesting that a passenger, or a member of the driver's family, or a member of the relevant mission or post, drive the vehicle and escort the driver to his or her destination.
If the driver is unable to prove diplomatic status, the police request to submit to a screening test cannot be refused and the police authorities may have no choice but to proceed with this test. If this test shows a reading above the legal limit, the police may escort the driver to the local police station. They will then arrange for the relevant authorities (DFAT or the mission) to be contacted to seek to establish status.
Fines
Fines and penalties for vehicles detected speeding by speed cameras or radar are notified by infringement notice, issued by post, as follows:-
Individuals - for vehicles registered in the name of an individual, an infringement notice is issued by post. The penalty comprises a monetary fine and also a number of demerit points (1-6) depending of the speed.
If the vehicle was being driven by a person other than the registered owner, the registered owner may provide the authorities with a statutory declaration (contained on the reverse of the infringement notice) stating the name, address and other details of the person who was driving the vehicle. If the authorities are satisfied with the declaration, the infringement notice in the name of the owner will be cancelled, and a new infringement notice will be issued in the name of the driver.
Missions - for vehicles registered in the name of a Mission (or other organisation), an infringement notice is issued by post. The penalty comprises a monetary fine of 5 times the amount it would have been for an individual. No demerit points are issued, as the Mission (or organisation) does not hold a driver's licence.
In these circumstances the Mission may either (a) pay the increased fine shown, or (b) provide the authorities with a statutory declaration stating the name, address and other details of the person who was driving the vehicle. If the authorities are satisfied with the declaration, the infringement notice in the name of the Mission will be cancelled, and a new infringement notice will be issued in the name of the driver - this infringement notice will be for one-fifth of the monetary fine that was issued to the Mission, but it will also include demerit points for the driver.