NSW Roads and Traffic Authority – We answer to no-one !

I’ve recently taken delivery of my pride and joy, a 1995 model GL1500 Honda Goldwing. Having bought the bike from a fellow Ulysseys Club member in Canberra, I now have to transfer the registration to NSW – I mean, we can’t have the NSW Government missing out on their “cut”, can we ?

So while looking at the RTA’s website to work out if I want a personalised plate or not, I saw the pink McGrath Foundation ones. My wife has had a friend or two who have suffered from breast cancer, so I thought this might be a minor but practical way of showing support for a very worthwhile organization.

Then I thought, why not take it to the next level and get a numberplate that will really attract attention to the bike and, therefore, the McGrath Foundation ?

I called the RTA’s “customer service” number and told them that I wanted to transfer the rego and have a pink personalised plate made. They were all sweetness and light until they heard that I wanted the word “BOOBS” on the plate.

They claim, under persistent questioning, that;

• The word BOOBS will not be issued (no reason given)
• They have the final say on what is issued and what isn’t
• I can appeal the decision but I have to do so IN WRITING – not email, not fax, but OLD FASHIONED SNAIL MAIL

Under further questioning to justify and, more importantly, explain this the “customer service” operative actually said “we’re the RTA, we don’t have to explain anything“.

I could have 80085, BooBS, 8OO85 or any such combination, however THAT would be at the discretion of the officer I deal with at the time !  So some minor public servant is, apparently, on a power trip.

When I pushed the point, saying that I was even thinking of spray-painting the entire bike “breast cancer pink”, and that it was for a CHARITY, they just didn’t give a damn.

So taking  a different tack, I asked if I could have the word FUCK as a number plate, given that the word has been declared, in a Court of Law, to be a “.. word in common usage and cannot be considered by any reasonable person to be offensive..”. Yes, this was  a frivilous example, but I was making a point.

I was told, as you would expect, that under no circumstances would that word be allowed, that it was considered offensive regardless of the decision of the Supreme Court.

It was at this point that I realised I was dealing with a very low-level and script reading functionary who had neither the authority, knowledge or inclination to be any more helpful than she really needed to be. She couldn’t/wouldn’t even explain how much of the fee for the plates went to the McGrath Foundation, and whether it was just a one-off or a yearly occurence – after all the fee they charge for the “privelage” of having a non-standard plate is ridiculously exhorbitant anyway.

Our taxes pay for THIS pathetic service ?

Here is an example of the arrogance of this pathetic department – excerpt from their “Terms and Conditions” (emphasis added);

3. General Terms

d. The RTA may make a written request for the Special Number Plates to be returned to the RTA if:

1. The RTA makes an error in issuing the Special Number Plate.
2. The RTA, in its absolute discretion, deems the Special Number Plate content to be unsuitable or offensive. Failure to return the plate in accordance with the RTA’s request may constitute an offence.

IN IT’S ABSOLUTE DISCRETION ??  Who do these people think they are ?

As a ridiculous example, if I complain about the word MUSLIM on a numberplate I would have to PROVE that I found it offensive, merely stating the fact is insufficient. But the RTA have placed themselves above that, and it would appear above the law as well !