1(1)In section 133 of the I960 Act (suspension of public service vehicle licences for defects in vehicles) in subsection (1), the proviso (where defects can be remedied suspension not to operate before the expiry of 48 hours unless the defects involve danger to the public) shall be omitted.
(2)After subsection (2) of that section there shall be inserted the following subsections:—
“(2A)A suspension under this section shall, subject to any exemption granted under subsection (2B) of this section, become operative as soon as notice thereof has been given to the licensee under subsection (2) of this section if in the opinion of the certifying officer or public service vehicle examiner concerned the defects in the vehicle involve danger to the public.
(2B)In any case not falling within subsection (2A) of this section, the suspension under this section shall, unless it is previously removed or it previously ceases and subject to any exemption under subsection (2C) of this section, become operative at such time not later than ten days from the date of the inspection as seems appropriate to the certifying officer or' public service vehicle examiner concerned, having regard to all the circumstances.
(2C)Where a licence has been suspended under this section any certifying officer or public service vehicle examiner may grant an exemption in writing for the use of the vehicle in such manner, subject to such conditions and for such purpose as may be specified in the exemption and where any such officer or examiner grants any such exemption he shall forthwith give notice of it to the traffic commissioners who granted the licence.
(2D)Where a licence has been suspended under this section any certifying officer or public service vehicle examiner may by endorsement on the notice given to the licensee under subsection (2) thereof vary its terms and, in particular, alter the time at which the suspension is to become operative or suspend it if it has become operative and where any such officer or examiner makes any such variation or alteration he shall forthwith give notice of it to the traffic commissioners who granted the licence.”
2In section 144 of that Act (drivers' and conductors' licences) at the end of subsection (6) (duration of licence) there shall be added the following subsection:—
“(6A)Without prejudice to section 145(3) of this Act if, on the date on which an application is made for a licence to drive,
or act as conductor of, a public service vehicle, the applicant is the holder of such a licence, the existing licence shall, notwithstanding anything in subsection (6) above, continue in force until the application is disposed of”.