Maintenance of Aerodromes - Marking the Position of Tractors and Other Machinery

1. At home stations all Works Directorate tractors and machinery likely to be employed on landing grounds are to be painted bright orange.  At stations abroad they are to be painted a distinctive colour, to be decided by the AOC, in vivid contrast to the prevalent colouring of the landing grounds.

2. In the event of other service or contractor-owned tractors and machinery being employed on landing grounds where the landing of aircraft is permitted, if the machinery is not already painted as in para 1, the prime mover is to have a white cover placed over the bonnet.

3. A double disc signal as shown in the accompanying sketch is to be carried by all prime movers coming within the scope of paras 1 and 2.  The signal is to be supported on a mast fitted to the vehicle.  Where possible, the mast is to be sufficiently high to be seen by pilots from any part of the aerodrome.  Where this is not possible, the signal is to be carried at the maximum height compatible with safety.  All signals are to be painted the appropriate colour as detailed in para. 1.

    

4. Normally, tractors and other machinery are not employed on landing grounds during flying operations but it is not always practicable to avoid their use an such occasions, especially under present conditions. Moreover, it, should be specially noted that in some instances the rise and fall of the ground are so considerable that even when the signal is carried at the maximum height possible, it cannot be seen from all points of the landing ground.  When, therefore, aircraft are taking off or landing, pilots should exercise special care on landing grounds with undulating surfaces.

5. The signals will be provided by the Works Directorate; but it is the responsibility of the station commander to ensure that the provisions of this order are complied with and, if any difficulty is experienced to report the circumstances to the superintending engineer of the area concerned.

6. The above provisions relate to signals to be displayed an vehicles, but Station commanders are reminded also of the necessity for the display of the appropriate ground signal in the signal areas on the aerodrome. (See Appendix I (iv) of AMO A214/38.)
    

(This AMO cancelled AMOs A436/37, A202/38, A296/38 and A360/38)

Identification of RAF Mechanical Transport

1. In order that the military traffic control companies and the civil, RAF. and military police can easily identify RAF vehicles and thus facilitate movement control, it has been decided that all RAF vehicles, Works Directorate vehicles, and contractors' and Petroleum Board vehicles wholly employed on duties with the Royal Air Force, shall, forthwith, be marked with the RAF roundel.

2. The diversity of types of vehicles now in use precludes a standard positioning and fitting of the roundel, but the following general principles are to be applied: -

   1. The roundel to be 9 in. diameter.

   2. The roundel to be displayed in one of the following ways: -

      1. Where vehicles have suitable wings, to be painted on the off-side front wing so as to be visible to traffic control, i.e. NOT on top of the wing.

      2. To be positioned on the off-side of the front of the vehicle and half-way between the top of the bonnet and the ground.

      The roundel, with suitable bracket, will be manufactured under local arrangements. Scrap metal should be utilised whenever possible.

   3. No vocabulary item will be supplied.

   4. All letters "RAF" now placed upon windscreens are to be removed.

Use of Distinguishing rags on RAF Staff Cars

1. 1. It has been decided that the use of distinguishing flags in miniature on service motor cars will be limited to: -

   1. the Chief of the Air Staff, at all times;

   2. service members of the Air Council and Inspectors-General of the Royal Air Force, only when visiting RAF units;

   3. air officers in command of commands and groups, at all times.

2. The flags are to be flown from a flagstaff mounted at the top of the near side front wing, with the exception that, in the case of the Chief of the Air Staff, the flag will be flown in a central position above the radiator.

3. The use of distinguishing flags in miniature by officers other than those referred to in para 1 above is forbidden.

(AMO A284/38 cancelled.)

Distinguishing Flags on Service Motor Cars

Para. 2. Add the following new sub-paragraph

"(f) at all times by the Commandant of the RAF Staff College ".

(AMO A640/45 as amended by A914/45, amended.)

Distinguishing Flags on Staff Cars

AMO A640/45 (currently unavailable) is further amended as follows: -

Para. 2, as amended. Add the following new sub-paragraph: -

"(h) at all times by the Commandant, School of Air Support, Old Sarum".

(AMO A.640/45, as amended by A914/45, A62/46 and A425/46, amended.)

Para. 2. sub-para. (III). Add the following new sub-paragraph: -

"(i) by the Provost Marshal when making official inspections and visits."
 

Painting of RAF MT Vehicles

1. Following the cessation of hostilities, it has been decided to discontinue the policy of painting RAF MT vehicles in a matt olive drab finish (containing anti-gas properties) and to introduce a new exterior finish consisting of a semi-gloss, RAF
   blue-grey colour paint for the bodywork, the wings and valances to be finished in black, The procedure to be adopted to implement this new policy is detailed below.

2. Existing paintwork - The existing paintwork, including canvas covers, i.e., body covers, cab hoods and penthouses, on RAF vehicles is not to be altered until the next occasion on which the vehicles require repainting.  Vehicles entering RAF workshops or the Civilian Repair Organisation for overhaul are to be inspected and, if necessary, repainted in accordance with para. 4 below. Where, however, only touching-in is required, the original finish is to be restored, using the paints detailed in para. 6 below.

3. Vehicles excluded from the provisions of this order. - The undermentioned vehicles, in whatever finish received, are excluded from the provisions of this order: -

   1. Cars allotted to members of the Air Council.

   2. Cars allotted to AOCs

   3. Cars allotted to AOCs-in-C.

   4. MT vehicles hired locally.

   5. Airfield controllers' caravans.

   6. Works Department vehicles working on airfields.

   Attention is also directed to AMO A486/44, as amended by A518/44, regarding the painting of upper surfaces of certain vehicles in orange when they are employed regularly within the landing area of airfields.

4. Vehicles requiring repainting - procedure

   1. Priming - all surfaces. - All surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned of rust, grease, oil, etc. Vehicles that have been sprayed with corrosine or a similar anti-corrosive agent are first to be cleaned; paint remover, type A, Stores Ref. 33B/147 is to be used.
      Important. - Before the application of priming paint, all surfaces must be perfectly clean, smooth and dry.

   2. Colour, cab, body and wheels. - RAF blue-grey to specification CS 2000.

      1. brushing - Stores Ref. 33A/613 - two coats.

      2. spraying - Stores Ref. 33/A614 - three coats.

      The drying time under good conditions for this paint is 24 hours..

   3. Colour coats, wings, valances, chassis. - Paint, PFU, black, to specification CS 2000.

      1. brushing - Stores Ref. 33A/615 - two coats.

      2. spraying - Stores Ref. 33A/6 16 - three coats.

      The drying time under good conditions for this paint is 24 hours.

   4. Care must be taken that red crosses, roundels and other official markings are repainted to the correct dimensions, as applicable.

5. Table of paints including primers to be used: -

   Stores Ref	Nomenclature	Specification	Remarks
   33A/611	Primers :- Paint PFU, priming red and white lead G.S. (for brushing application only)	CS 1186	For metal surfaces. This is a lead primer which will dry in 48 hours. One coat is to be applied.
   33A/559	Primers :- PFU, red oxide of iron. GS priming (spray or brush application)	CS 1870	For application to metal surfaces only. This is a quick-drying primer (drying time two hours) but it has poor weather resisting properties and should be covered with the appropriate colour coat as soon as it is dry. Two coats of priming are to be applied if sprayed, one if brushed.
   33A/612	Primers :- Paint, PFU, priming wood GS for brushing	CS 2165	For application to wood surfaces by brushing only.  A special primer for wood. Drying time 4 to 6 hours.
   33A/591	Primers :- PFU, wood primer, GS for brushing	CS 2166	For application to wood surfaces by spraying only . A special primer for woods. Drying time 4 to 6 hours
   33A/613*	Paint, PFU semi-gloss, RAF blue-grey for brushing	CS 2000	For application to wood and metal surfaces as a finishing paint.  Drying time 24 hours.
   33A/614	Paint, PFU semi-gloss, RAF blue-grey for spraying	CS 2000
   33A/615	Paint, PFU semi-gloss, black for brushing	CS 2000	For application to wood and metal surfaces as a finishing paint.  Drying time 24 hours.
   33A/616	Paint, PFU semi-gloss, black for spraying	CS 2000
   33A/617*	Paint, bituminous emulsion, RAF blue-grey for brushing	TS143	For application to canvas surfaces only. This paint not he applied to wood or metal.  Drying time - at 60/70°F. 16 hours.  In damp or inclement weather a longer time must be allowed
   33A/618*	Paint, bituminous emulsion, RAF blue-grey, for spraying	TS143

   *Demands for paint, RAF blue-grey, for brushing, Stores Ref. 33A/430, 1 gallon containers, and Stores Ref. 33A/431, 2 gallon containers are to be submitted until the present stocks are exhausted.

6. Obsolescent paints. - The undermentioned paints are declared obsolescent, but are to continue to be used for retouching purposes.

   1. Paint, PFU, anti-gas, olive drab, spraying, CS 1898 (Stores Ref. 33A/577)

   2. Paint, PFU, anti-gas, olive drab, brushing, CS 1897 (Stores Ref. 33A/578)

   3. Paint, PFU, dark black, quick drying, matt finish, CS 1818 (Stores Ref, 33A/570).

   4. Paint, PFU, bituminous emulsion, camouflage, non-gritty, TS 143 (Stores Ref. 33A/549).

   5. Paint, PFU, bituminous emulsion, camouflage, non-gritty, TS 143 (Stores Ref. 33A/572).

   6. Paint, PFU, black, bituminous, quick drying, CS 1817 (Stores Ref. 33A/571)

   7. Paint, bituminous emulsion, camouflage, non-gritty, olive drab (spray or brush application) TS 143 (Stores Ref. 33A/592).

   8. Paint, PFU, brown, priming (for brush application to metal surfaces only) (CS 1478 (Stores Ref. 33A/558).

   9. Paint, PFU, wood primer, brushing, CS 1971 (Stores Ref. 33A/590)

(AMOs A897/44 and A1042/44 cancelled)

*AMO A564 - 27 June 1946

AMO A302/46 - is further amended as follows: -

Para. 5. Delete Stores Ref. 33A/617 and 818 and relevant detail and substitute

(AMO A302/46, as amended by A485/46, amended.)

Source - Air Ministry Order A988/46 dated  21 November 1946.

Mechanical Transport Vehicles of British and North American Origin - Amended Nomenclature and Allocation of Stores Reference Numbers

1. As at temporary measure, the allocation of stores reference numbers to complete MT vehicles was suspended at the outbreak of war and only an abridged version of AP 1086. part 6, section 16A, was published during the war years.

2. A revised and expanded publication, which will supersede AP 1086, part 6, section 16A has now been completed, and will be published shortly as AP 2515A, Vol III, section 16A, "MT Vehicles Complete". In this publication, stores reference numbers  are shown against: -

   1. chassis, whether prime movers or trailers, which have been purchased such for subsequent mounting of bodies under separate contract;

   2. chassis which, though purchased complete with bodies, are either the the same as chassis which have been purchased separately, or which carry easily removable bodies;

   3. bodies, purchased separately or which, though purchased as a part of a complete vehicle are either the same as bodies purchased separately or easily removable;

   4. complete vehicles.

   Note  - Signals vehicles are not included in the publication but particulars of these will be promulgated in the form of amendment lists. Impressed vehicles have also excluded.

3. The majority of military vehicles are common user, i.e., are used by more than one of the three fighting services.  As the army is by far the largest user of vehicles generally it has been decided, except for establishment purposes, to apply the precise army nomenclature to all vehicles common to the Army and the Royal Air Force (except in certain instances where the same vehicle is used by the two services for different operating purposes) and to adopt the army system of nomenclature for vehicle peculiar to the Royal Air Force.  The RAF establishment nomenclature has been shown against complete vehicles, for ready reference, but must not be quoted except in connection, with questions of vehicle establishment.  In any context (e.g., on demands for spares) where it is necessary to define a particular make and model, the full nomenclature, i.e., all the wording contained in the nomenclature column must be quoted; but where it is necessary to refer to vehicle only in connection with their functional role, only the words printed in heavy type need be quoted;

4. Where a particular type of chassis has been purchased, both as a chassis and as a complete vehicle, all the relevant contract numbers are shown against the chassis.  When contract numbers are shown against complete vehicles, this is an indication that the vehicles are shown only as complete, i.e., their constituent parts are not shown separately.  The range of serial numbers of the chassis supplied against each contract has been quoted wherever practicable, but, in instances where the serial numbers do not run consecutively the lowest and highest numbers have been quoted, prefaced by the word "between".  Where serial numbers were allotted by the manufacturer without regard to any particular contract, as in the case of Ford and Bedford, no chassis serial numbers have been quoted and the contract number must be relied upon for identification of vehicles.

5. On receipt of a copy of AP 2515A, Vol. III, section 16A, stations and units are to ascertain, by physical examination if necessary, the reference number applicable to each vehicle held and are to bring all vehicles on charge under their correct stores reference by Form 21 action.  Thereafter, stores reference numbers are to be quoted in correspondence and on documents whenever identification of a particular vehicle, or type of vehicle is necessary.

6. Wherever a complete vehicle is transferred from one accounting unit to another the relevant voucher is to be endorsed as 'complete to Form 748 column number ........." or, if the vehicle has been fitted with RAF equipment to render it fully operational as "complete to Form 748 column number ......... and Form 1670 column number......." (AMO A884/45 refers).  Missing items of non-inventory equipment, and the numbers of the vouchers by which such deficiencies were brought on charge, are to be detailed on the voucher.

7. If any vehicle, other than an impressed or signal vehicle, cannot be identified by reference to AP 2511A, Vol. III, section 16A, the holding unit is to submit a report through the usual channels, to the Air Ministry (E 9), quoting the make, model, serial number and contract number of the chassis and the make, description and contract number of the body, for further investigation.  NIV numbers are not to be raised except for impressed and signal vehicles.

8. 8. Any errors or omissions not covered by para. 7 above should be reported in a similar manner.

Source - Air Ministry Order A787/46 dated  5 September 1946.

AMO A518/47 is amended as follows: -

Para. 1.

Sub-para. (c) (iii), line 1. After "wing commander" insert "or wing officer".

Sub-para. (c) (v), line 1. After "Commandant" insert "General".

Add at end: -

"(x) at all times by the Commandant, RAF Regiment Central School;
(xi) by the Director, Women's Auxiliary Air Force, when making official visits and inspections."

Para. 2. Add at end: -

"WAAF officers will fly the flags of their equivalent rank in the Royal Air Force."

(AMO A518/47 amended)

Source - Air Ministry Order A891/47 dated  6 November 1947

Driving Licences - RAF Mechnica1 Transport
 

PART I

1. With effect from 1st January 1948, the authority given by Forms 1629 and 1839 which enables the holders to drive RAF MT on the public highway without a driving licence will no longer be valid for that purpose.  All personnel both service and civilian, whose duties involve such driving, must be in possession of a driving licence.

2. This will apply to drivers MT, officers and airmen who are required to drive RAF MT in the course of their duties, civilian MT drivers employed by the Air Ministry, AMWD MT drivers and AMWD officials authorised to drive under AP 855, para. 429A, sub-para. (vi).  With the exception of officers and AMWD officials the costs for these licences and their renewal are chargeable against public funds and will be paid by the accountant officer, or area works accountant for AMWD MT drivers.  Officers and AMWD officials who require driving licences to enable them to continue to drive RAF MT are to obtain and pay for such licences under their own arrangements.

3. Forms 1629 and 1839. - The appropriate form must be issued to all service and civilian personnel in addition to driving licences before they can be called upon to drive any RAF MT.  This constitutes the written permission of the CO in accordance with para. 1989 of KR & ACI, or the superintending engineer in accordance with AP 855, para. 429A, sub para (vi).  DRIVING LICENCES, however, will not be necessary for personnel to drive on roads within camp areas to which the public have no access

4. The CO or superintending engineer is, therefore, responsible that every driver under his command, whose duty entails driving on the public highway, is In possession of: -

   1. a licence to drive those groups of vehicles for which he has passed a test carried out by a qualified examiner appointed by the Central Trade Test Board, and for which a Form 362 has been issued. (Officers and AMWD officials are to obtain their licences as indicated in para. 2 above);

   2. Form 1629 or 1839 which constitutes the written permission of the CO, in accordance with para. 1989 of KR & ACI or the superintending engineer in accordance with AP 855, para. 429A, sub-para. (vi).

5. Procedure for obtaining initial driving licences. - Applications are to be made on the prescribed Form DL 1(a) obtainable from local licensing authorities (i.e. county councils, county borough councils and, in Scotland, burgh councils) and general post offices, completed by each applicant and handed to the accountant officer of each unit.  Accountant officers will then submit the forms, supported by the appropriate Forms 362, to the licensing authority concerned, for the issue of driving licences. Accountant officers are to maintain a record of all licences obtained and issued under the following headings to ensure that applications for renewal of driving licences may be submitted before expiry:-

   1. Date,

   2. Number, rank and name.

   3. Serial No, Form 362.

   4. Driving licence: -

      1. County council.

      2. No. of licence.

      3. Date of expiry.

   5. (e) Signature of driver.

6. Notes for completion of Form DL 1(a).-

   1. Form DL 1(a) must be completed by each individual applicant for whom a driving licence is to he obtained.

   2. (b) Form DL l(a) -

      1. Question 4 (a) "Permanent Address in Great Britain" will be the, unit at which the applicant is serving at the time of application (e.g., for an applicant stationed at 4 MT Company, Kidbrooke, the address will be No 4 MT Company RAF Station, Kidbrooke)

      2. Questions 6 (A) and (B). The vehicle groups appropriate to RAF for these applications will be made according to individual qualifications and subject to the age restrictions referred to in para. 7 below.

7. The undermentioned restrictions on driving of motor vehicles on the public highway are imposed on young persons: -

   1. No person under sixteen years of age may drive any mechanically propelled vehicle.

   2. No person under seventeen years of age may drive a motor vehicle other than a motor cycle.

   3. No person under 21 years of age may drive a motor vehicle other than a motor car, an agricultural tractor or motor cycle.

   Note. -  For this purpose, a motor car is defined generally as a vehicle not exceeding three tons in weight (unladen).

8. The restriction mentioned in para. 7, sub-para. (c) above is not applicable to the driving of RAF MT for Royal Air Force purposes by persons for the time being subject to the orders of any member of the Armed Forces of the Crown.

9. Applications for driving licences, therefore, in respect of such personnel, who are under 21 years of age will be as follows: -

   1. Personnel over sixteen but under seventeen years of age - group III only.

   2. Personnel over seventeen years of age - the group or groups for which driving tests have been passed.

10. In the case of para. 9, sub-para. (a) above, the actual age of the applicant must be inserted against question 7 of the application form.  In the case of para 9, sub para (b) above, the words "RAF Exempt" are to be inserted against question 7 as well as the age of the applicant, certified by the unit stamp and the signature of an officer.  Applications of RAF personnel for driving licences for private purposes will not be so-certified.

11. If, from any temporary cause, the questions concerning physical fitness cannot be answered, as, for example, question 13 "No", question 14 "Yes ", question 15 "No" and question 16 "No", the application will not be submitted.

12. It is essential that the group or groups for which tests have been passed should be correctly indicated in the appropriate sections of the application forms, i.e, from the group or groups shown on Form 362.  For groups applicable to the Royal Air Force see Appendix A to this order.

13. When obtaining a driving licence, the following points should be observed: -

    1. Applications are to be made to the appropriate licensing authority of the locality which the unit is situated.

    2. The licence must be signed by the recipient in the presence of the issuing officer immediately it is received.

    3. Licences granted for the purpose of driving RAF MT are subject to the Road Traffic Act and Regulations made thereunder in all respects, e.g., carriage on the person, production when required, renewal, cancellation or endorsement.

    4. Licences issued in Great Britain or Northern Ireland are equally valid in either country.

14. Officers commanding units and superintending engineers are to ensure that: -

    1. all service and civilian personnel under their command who are required to drive RAF MT on duty on the public highway are in possession of valid driving licences by 1st January 1948, in accordance with this order.

    2. by periodical inspection, the driving licences and the appropriate permit to drive RAF MT in accordance with para. 4, sub-para. (b) above are held and carried by all service and civilian personnel concerned.

15. Applications, in respect of service personnel under driving instruction, are to be made for provisional licences, which will be replaced by substantive driving licences when they have qualified for the issue of Form 332 after Central Trade Test Board conducted tests.

16. Current driving licences already held by service and civilian personnel for private purposes may be used for driving RAF MT of the group or groups to which the licence relates, providing, an authority is held in accordance with para. 4, sub-para. (b) of this order.  No refund of costs on this account will be permissible to individuals concerned, in respect of either the whole or the unexpired period of current licences, but the cost of renewal of such licences, when due, will be met out of public funds, if the holders are still serving in the Royal Air Force.

17. In the case of service and civilian personnel holding a current driving licence not covering the group or groups of vehicles which they may be called upon and required to drive on RAF duty, applications are to be made to the licensing authority for
    provisional licences so that the applicants may learn to drive vehicles in additional groups and be tested for such groups.  When the test has been passed and Form 362 in respect of the additional groups has been issued, the provisional and substantive licences, together with Form 362, are to be sent to the licensing authority with an application form for a substantive licence for all the groups the applicant is qualified to drive.

18. Renewal of driving Licences. - Renewal of driving licences is to be effected by the same procedure as that laid down in pars. 5 above, except that the applications are to be accompanied by the licences held instead of by Form 362.

19. Loss of driving licences. - In the event of the loss of a driving licence, the cost of obtaining a duplicate from the licensing authority will be charged to the personnel concerned.

20. Postings from' home to overseas commands  - When Service personnel are posted to overseas esbal,shments, driving licences are to be withdrawn, attached to their personal documents 'and retained for safe keeping until their repatriation to the United Kingdom, on their return the licences are to be re-issued and their signatures are to be obtained.

21. Postings from overseas to home commands. - Service personnel who are posted to home establishments on or after 1st January 1948, will be required to undergo a driving test conducted by a Central Trade Test Board examiner, if they are not already in possession of a driving licence in accordance with the terms of this order, before commencing driving duties. The procedure for these tests will be as detailed below: -

    A provisional licence is to be obtained in respect of each candidate and, after successful completion of the test, a Form 332 is to be raised and issued.  The provisional licence supported by the Form 362 will then be submitted to the licensing authorities with an application form for the issue of a substantive driving licence.

22. Releases from the Royal Air Force and discharge from Air Ministry or AMWD employment. - Licenses issued to service and civilian personnel in accordance with this order will retained by them on their release from the Royal Air Force or discharge from Air Ministry, or AMWD employment.

23. Public service vehicle driving licences - There is no procedure within the Royal Air Force for testing for, and the issue of, Certificate of Competence to Drive Public Service Vehicles.

24. The provision of driving licences under this order will also apply to members of the Polish Resettlement Corps (RAF) but will not be applicable to prisoners of war, who continue to be authorised under existing arrangements when employed to drive RAF MT in the United Kingdom.

PART II

QUALIFICATION FOR DRIVING RAF MECHANICAL TRANSPORT

25. Airmen and airwomen - MT trades. -

    1. With effect from 1st January 1948 airmen and airwomen mustered in MT trades must, before being permitted to drive on the public highway, be in possession of a driving licence and Form 1629.

    2. The type of RAF MT permitted to be driven will be restricted to the vehicles in the groups to which the driving licence relates.  Airwomen drivers, MT will be restricted to those types laid down in para. 126 of AP 3090, as amended.

26. Airmen of trades other than MT - For airmen of trades other than MT, who, owing to the nature of their duties, may be called upon to drive RAF MT, the following regulations apply: -

    1. When required to drive on the public highway, the qualifications set out in para. 25, sub-paras. (a) and (b) above, must be strictly complied with.

    2. When required to drive "within camp area only", the airman is to be examined by a competent mechanical transport officer and, if successful, issued with a Form 637 endorsed in red ink on both sides of the Form "CAMP AREA ONLY".

27. Officers. -

    1. If officers are called upon to drive RAF MT on duty on the public highway on account of manning difficulties or operational necessity, applications are to be made by commands in writing to the Air Ministry (Mov 6), stating fully the reasons why this authority is required.  It is pointed out that officers will not be permitted to drive RAF MT other than those stated in sub-para. (b) below, without prior Air Ministry authority.

    2. The only officers to whom permission to drive RAF MT may be granted are: -

       1. at stations or units - qualified mechanical transport officers

       2. at group headquarters - qualified group mechanical transport officers

       3. at command headquarters - qualified command mechanical transport officers;

       4. at other units - Central Trade Test Board officers and examiners;

       5. at the Air Ministry - under review (details will be promulgated late).

28. Requirements for the purposes of these tests are laid down at Appendix B to this order.

PART III

QUALIFICATION FOR DRIVING LICENCES IN RESPECT OF PERSONNEL REPATRIATED TO THE UNITED KINGDOM FROM OVERSEAS ESTABLISHMENTS AND BAFO.

29. The concession contained in AMO A193/47 was designed to facilitate the resettlement of service personnel being released and by a special arrangement between the Air Ministry and the Ministry of Transport, a certificate in the form of Appendix A to the above-mentioned order has been accepted by the licensing authority as proof of competence to drive motor vehicles in the appropriate groups and a driving licence was issued,

30. It is now considered that as all service personnel who may have had occasion to drive motor vehicles on the public highway in the United Kingdom, with effect from 1st January 1948, must be in possession of a driving licence, the need for this certificate will cease and from that date, the authority delegated to COs by AMO A193/47 will be cancelled.  The only competent testing authority will be the Central Trade Test Board which is recognised by the Ministry of Transport as qualified to conduct such tests.

31. For personnel who are at present serving on overseas establishments, and who, by nature of their duties, have been called upon to drive RAF MT and on their repatriation to the United Kingdom wish to obtain a driving licence on their release from the Service, the procedure is as detailed below: -

    1. Before leaving units. -

       1. Apply in writing for a driving test to the CO who, on receipt of the application, is to make arrangements for a test conducted by a qualified mechanical transport officer to the standard laid down at Appendix B to this order (sub-para. (d) of Appendix B excepted).

       2. On successful completion of this test, a certificate in accordance with Appendix A to this order is to be raised in triplicate.  Two copies of this certificate are to be given to the applicant and one copy is to be attached to his personal documents.

    2. On arrival in the United Kingdom  -

       1. On arrival at the personnel disposal centre for release, the applicant should apply to the Central Trade Test Board for a test.  On successful completion of the test, two copies of the form shown at Appendix A to this order, are to be completed and signed by the Central Trade Test Board examiner and a Form 362 issued.

       2. One copy of Appendix A to this order is to be returned to the applicant with Form 362 and two copies attached to his personal documents.

32. Important. - If, owing to unforeseen service reasons, it is found impossible to complete the driving tests during the period of release procedure at the personnel disposal centre, arrangements are to be made to accommodate such personnel at the unit until these tests are completed.

33. Any applicant who does not wish to remain at the personnel disposal centre to undergo a test should indicate in the space provided on the copies of the form shown at Appendix A to this order and sign accordingly in the presence of the Central Trade Test Board examiner it must be clearly understood that refusal by the applicant to remain at the personnel disposal centre to undertake this test, automatically nullifies any rights to claim for any benefits under the terms of this order in the future.

34. Section 7 of AP 3090 will be amended.

(AMOs A27/31, A247/37, A85/38, A389/41 and A193/47 cancelled.)

APPENDIX A

CERTIFICATE OF QUALIFICATION FOR A CENTRAL TRADE TEST BOARD CONDUCTED TEST

APPENDIX B

DRIVING AND ORAL TEST FOR CANDIDATES FOR DRIVING LICENCES

When tested on a vehicle the candidate must satisfy the examine of his ability to comply with the following requirements laid down by the Minister of Transport and, in addition, the military requirements in sub-para. (d) below: -

1. That he is fully conversant with the contents of the Highway Code.

2. Generally, that he be competent to drive, without danger to, and with due consideration for, other users of the road, a vehicle of the same class or description as that on which he is tested.

3. That he is able to: -

   1. read at a distance of 25 yards in good daylight (with the aid of glasses if worn) a motor car number plate containing six letters and figures;

   2. start the engine of the vehicle;

   3. move away straight ahead or at an angle;

   4. overtake, meet or cross the path of other vehicles and take an appropriate course;

   5. turn right- and left-hand corners correctly;

   6. stop the vehicle in an emergency and normally and, in the latter case, bring it to rest at an appropriate part of the road;

   7. drive the vehicle backwards and, whilst doing so, enter a, limited opening either to the right or to the left; - Group I only

   8. cause the vehicle to face in the opposite direction by the use of forward and reverse gears; - Group I only

   9. give by hand, and by mechanical means (if fitted to the vehicle) or, in the case of a disabled driver for whom it is impracticable or undesirable to give signals by hand, by mechanical means, in a clear and unmistakable manner, appropriate signals at appropriate times to indicate his intended actions;

   10. act correctly and promptly on all signals given by traffic signs and traffic controllers, and take appropriate action on signs given by other road users.

4. Additional RAF requirements: -

   1. He must know the action to be taken in the case of an accident

   2. He must have a thorough knowledge of "driver's maintenance" of his vehicle, i.e, replenishment of oil, etc., greasing, cleaning, tyre maintenance, care and maintenance of accumulators.

   3. He must have a general knowledge of the designations and functions of the parts of the vehicle.

   4. He must be able to detect simple running faults.

   5. He must have a knowledge of frost precautions and the aids to apply in starting an engine on a cold day.

Group I - All wheeled vehicles, except motor cycles, agricultural tractors, mowing machines and vehicles controlled by pedestrians.
Group III - Motor-cycles, with or without sidecars.

Source - Air Ministry Order A1067/47 dated 24 December 1947.