New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-02-15
Nv Licensing All Operators
Accidents Have Been
Greatly Decreased.
APPLICANT REQUIRED
TO SHOW ABILITY
examination Is Most Thorough,
but Results Justify En-
treme Caution.
~, Mitchell May. Secretary of State.

po.,nt special cable dispatches from
..-,,n quote the Prussisn Minister or the
D..r,or. speaking in the Chamber or
o,outes. as declaring that the number
], motor car accidents In Berlin are de-
..s,ns. there being forty-nine less fatal+
80. during 1913. although the number
,,,x,cabs registered had increased from
$50 TO e,14o.
r. those who have studied the situation
,s cutie APPARENT that Berlin has solved
- nroblem OF motor car casualties
.,-oush a requirement calling for the
e,snse Of every operator All persons de-
ling 20 operate motor vehicle IN Ger
~ must first obtain a special oper-
..o-s license from the local police au-
.s,,,.ies IN the several cities and districts,
- license is issued until after a rigid
,~.-,inatlon has been held as 70 the oper-
s,ors fitness
when one purchases car there ana
.,,,,es 70 run the machine himself, but
- not the necessary experience, he gen
1-,Ilv obtains training free OF charge
,-or, the factory where the motor car is
"a, The best way to obtain this neces-
,,-v instruction is TO so TO factory and
hsglp study IN the department where the
..r,o-s are being tested before beins
vaur,ed on the chassis.
In preparing for the examination per
-, usually spends from three TO FIVE days
!, N, motor testing department, although
,,.,v devote a considerably longer period.
90. American applicant for an operators
,.,,se explained that ne spent three days
/, ,he motor testing department and the
,,s,,h dsy devoted all his time TO the
,sssss department The fifth and sixth
,,vs he spent in learning how TO drive
,oa.or car supplied by the factory under
~. guidance OF e factory chauffeur.
4, the end OF this time the candidate
"a, ready 10 take his examination, and
me necessary application papers were
,s,se out at the factory and sworn TO as
81. tie contests before the local police au-
,sorlties. In these papers II was stated
ia, the person IN question had spent one
rs.k In the factory investigating the
..r,ctursl growth Of the machine and, In
re ooin!on Of the mechanic IN charge, was
eo,npe,ent 10 operate certain type OF
NesafNe~'N
motor vehicle.
N. applicant. in addition TO this state
nsn, from the manufacturers. was called
INN 10 produc. his birth certificate, pho
,ngrsph, and also q certificate from one
n the physicians appointed by the gov
eminent. 10 the effect that his sight,
hearing and physical condition were nor
nal
his application form and other neces-
ary pspers were then sent to the police
where the applicant desired 10 be ex-
AHMED together with another formal
request that the necessary papers for his
examination be issued. calling upon the
manning engineer 10 appoint the time
and place for conducting the necessary
demonstration test
The place or route usually chosen for
ne trial trip is through the most pre-
rpi,ous sections Of the surrounding coun-
w, and after a drive OF at least one
hours duration through these parts, when
he examiner is not permitted TO question
he applicant. the machine IS stopped on
fairly narrow road and the applicant is
then required 10 show how shlfully he
ran turn the machine about.
The Journey is then continued 70 the
starting place. where another half-hour
s spent. driving first through the mar
rpVest and then along the busiest streets
shsre the traffic is most congested.
II the applicant is successful in his ex-
animation. the examining engineer IN
forms the police of such fact, and his
Dapers are then sent 10 the police de-
rsrtment in Berlin. where they are care
taly examined. and ~ satisfactory and