Car, 1909: PH30-18



Veteran Car Rally, Norwood: BU00408A

The popularity of motorcars was soaring by the beginning of the twentieth century. This marked an increase in the use of roads to a level that had not been seen since the hey-day of the stagecoach. However, the roads were in a poor state of repair, and to remedy this, the Motor Car Act 1903 was passed. This Act introduced registration and licensing to identify cars and drivers. County and County Borough Councils were the issuing authorities and car owners were charged 5 shillings annually for their drivers license and a further 20 shillings to register their vehicle. The registration details then had to be displayed prominently on the vehicle to allow easy identification. The Act also raised the speed limit to 20 miles per hour. After the Act, in 1903, 17,000 vehicles were registered. Today, the total number of vehicles registered in the UK is closer to 30 million.

A driving test was not introduced until 1934. Anyone who began driving before April of that year was not required by law to undergo any rigorous training before being allowed to drive a car.

Register for motor vehicle taxation, 1903: NYCRO1115