Glossary entry (derived from question below)
French term or phrase:
Durée technique maximale autorisée (DTMA)
English translation:
Maximum permitted operational term (MPOT)
Added to glossary by
AllegroTrans
Dec 2, 2022 12:01
1 yr ago
36 viewers *
French term
United Kingdom
Sensible solutions
Native in: English (Variant: Wessexois) 
Works in: French to English, English, English to French
Durée technique maximale autorisée (DTMA)
French to English
Bus/Financial
Business/Commerce (general)
Vehicle rental contract
This term, in a vehicle rental contract, is defined (in the definitions preamble) simply as "72 mois, sauf dispositions contractuelles particulières"
The next definition is "durée contractuelle: durée de location du Véhicule déterminée dans le Contrat de Location dans la limite du DTMA.
We have often impugned the literal translation of "technique" on this forum and this is a case in point - there is really nothing "technical" about a maximum permitted rental term. I am tempted to omit "technique" but can anyone with knowledge perhaps of car fleet rentals come up with a better word?
The next definition is "durée contractuelle: durée de location du Véhicule déterminée dans le Contrat de Location dans la limite du DTMA.
We have often impugned the literal translation of "technique" on this forum and this is a case in point - there is really nothing "technical" about a maximum permitted rental term. I am tempted to omit "technique" but can anyone with knowledge perhaps of car fleet rentals come up with a better word?
Proposed translations
(English)
| 1 +3 | Authorized maximum operational term/duration/time |
Bourth
|
| 4 +1 | maximum /strictly/ allowable useful life (MAUL) |
Adrian MM.
|
| 3 | Maximum permitted rental term |
Mpoma
|
Proposed translations
+3
1 hr
Selected
Authorized maximum operational term/duration/time
It MIGHT be related to Einstein's theory of relativity which, simplified, states that the faster we go, the more the time is affected. Now, cars move, some of them fast, so theoretically maybe the time perceived by the driver of a rental car is not the same as that perceived by the owner. Especially if the driver crosses the Bering Strait (international date line) when it is iced over.
But I doubt it.
It might also be related to the time during which the car can be counted on to continue to OPERATE, 'technically' (reliably, functionally).
This is what is expressed here:
"Durée de vie OPÉRATIONNELLE, D.V.O. : elle est différente de l’amortissement comptable. Il s’agit de fixer une DURÉE TECHNIQUE au-delà de laquelle l’équipement NE DEVRAIT PLUS ÊTRE UTILISÉ. Cet indicateur est relativement pertinent à condition de la fixer avec une bonne réalité technique et selon l’expérience des établissements concernés."
The duration and mileage in this example:
"La durée et le kilométrage sont au minimum de 12 mois (la Durée Initiale Minimum de Douze Mois) et de 15 000 kilomètres et au maximum de la Durée Technique Maximale Autorisée (DTMA) soit 60 MOIS et du Kilométrage Technique Maximum Autorisé (KTMA) soit 160 000 KILOMÈTRES".
i.e. 5 years and 160,000km, are probably the longest the renter is prepared to risk making a car available without accrued risk of breakdown etc. and the related costs he would have to bear (towing, repair, etc.).
I assume the authorization is that given if not by the rental agency itself, then that given by the agency's insurer, not some government body, etc.
So 'authorized maximum operational term/duration/time', or simply keep 'technical' if you want to be as vague as the French.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 days 5 hrs (2022-12-04 17:39:41 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------
Technical: just how, on (or to be precise, beside) a football pitch, is the 'technical area' (zone techique), "which a manager, other coaching personnel, and substitutes are allowed to occupy during a match" [Wikipedia], technical?
But I doubt it.
It might also be related to the time during which the car can be counted on to continue to OPERATE, 'technically' (reliably, functionally).
This is what is expressed here:
"Durée de vie OPÉRATIONNELLE, D.V.O. : elle est différente de l’amortissement comptable. Il s’agit de fixer une DURÉE TECHNIQUE au-delà de laquelle l’équipement NE DEVRAIT PLUS ÊTRE UTILISÉ. Cet indicateur est relativement pertinent à condition de la fixer avec une bonne réalité technique et selon l’expérience des établissements concernés."
The duration and mileage in this example:
"La durée et le kilométrage sont au minimum de 12 mois (la Durée Initiale Minimum de Douze Mois) et de 15 000 kilomètres et au maximum de la Durée Technique Maximale Autorisée (DTMA) soit 60 MOIS et du Kilométrage Technique Maximum Autorisé (KTMA) soit 160 000 KILOMÈTRES".
i.e. 5 years and 160,000km, are probably the longest the renter is prepared to risk making a car available without accrued risk of breakdown etc. and the related costs he would have to bear (towing, repair, etc.).
I assume the authorization is that given if not by the rental agency itself, then that given by the agency's insurer, not some government body, etc.
So 'authorized maximum operational term/duration/time', or simply keep 'technical' if you want to be as vague as the French.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 days 5 hrs (2022-12-04 17:39:41 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------
Technical: just how, on (or to be precise, beside) a football pitch, is the 'technical area' (zone techique), "which a manager, other coaching personnel, and substitutes are allowed to occupy during a match" [Wikipedia], technical?
Note from asker:
| Wonderful! I forgot all about Einstein, and of course the warping of space-time and the fact that time passes more quickly the older we get. I really like "operational" - it gets nicely round "technical" |
| I am somewhat relieved to note that hired cars do not (or at least do not appear) to operate on a quantum level, behaving sometimes like individual items and at other times like waves travelling at the speed of light. |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
writeaway
2 hrs
|
| agree |
Mpoma
: Grrrr ... "authorised", please! / Yes, Fowler, absolutely: -ize/-ise, Greek or Latin etymology, the heated debate. I can breathe again. I thought you had brutally Americanised us. (Different editions of Fowler reach subtly different conclusions!)
5 hrs
|
|
Great thing about -ize is that U can show U know the diff. betw. words that MAY -& in my view should- end in -ize & those that MUST end in -ise. See Fowler who, in my version, says the users of -ize 'carry authority enough to outweigh superior Nos'.There!
|
|
| agree |
Daryo
: Either "operational" or "technical" must be included - DTMA is only about physical/technical limitations, the "technical lifespan" of the vehicle // legal & other limitations are only derived from DTMA, they have no influence on it.
8 hrs
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks!"
+1
2 hrs
Adrian MM.
Austria
Austria
Native in English
Austria
Retd.T&I, Barrister & Austro-Advokat
Native in: English (Variants: British, Scottish) 
Works in: Spanish to English, English to Spanish, French to English, and 5 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
31
maximum /strictly/ allowable useful life (MAUL)
I think we need to know the source-country because 'technical' might not mean 'strictly' the same in Belgium. IMO - and from my Croydon accountant's annual tax return questionnaire & my recollection of UK Revenue Law car fleets or pools - it is nowt to do with a legal technicality, rather a depreciation or wiritng-down estimate: 'Example effective life calculation.'
We also need to factor in software 'scam' mis-readings rather than 'rocket science'.
We also need to factor in software 'scam' mis-readings rather than 'rocket science'.
Example sentence:
IATE: fr durée technique d'utilisation COM en technical working life COM estimated useful life COM
Depreciation of most cars based on ATO estimates of useful life is 25% per annum on a diminishing value basis (or 12.5% of the vehicle cost for 8 years). Work vehicles e.g. taxis and couriers have higher rates, which can also be self-assessed.
Reference:
http://atotaxrates.info/tax-deductions/work-related-car-expenses/depreciation-of-vehicles/
Note from asker:
| Intreresting suggestion but I can only find maximum allowable useful life (MAUL) used in accounting and applied to fixed assets. It doesn't appear to be a term used in the vehicle rental/leasing industry asfaics |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Anastasia Kalantzi
1 hr
|
| neutral |
Daryo
: that's the right idea, but you can't omit "technical" (or alternatively "operational")
8 hrs
|
7 hrs
Maximum permitted rental term
Your casually suggested term seems OK to me.
As Bourth says, this is probably set by the rental organisation, not by a government organisation, for which reason "permitted" is probably better than "authorised".
But I also think there's no particular need to tangled up in "operation(al)".
The use of "technique" is, as you suggest, a bit fishy. I think it's probably just to blind with cod legalese any punters who might say "yes, but I want to lease it for 35 years". "Permitted" would be enough in an English-speaking world context, I think.
As Bourth says, this is probably set by the rental organisation, not by a government organisation, for which reason "permitted" is probably better than "authorised".
But I also think there's no particular need to tangled up in "operation(al)".
The use of "technique" is, as you suggest, a bit fishy. I think it's probably just to blind with cod legalese any punters who might say "yes, but I want to lease it for 35 years". "Permitted" would be enough in an English-speaking world context, I think.
Note from asker:
| Thanks |
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
Daryo
: no, DTMA is strictly about the technical characteristics of the vehicle - what is the "technical limit" to its useful lifespan. IOW nothing fishy about "technique", on the contrary it's THE key ingredient!
2 hrs
|
|
Proof? See discussion.
|
Discussion
WTF Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, usually an interrogative phrase, but may also be used in a declarative manner Navy
WTF What the fxxx?; also What a Terrible Failure
WTF Wait Till Fall Community abbreviations
WTF Waste Treatment Facility Community abbreviations
WTF Watch The Floor Community abbreviations
WTF Went To Florida Community abbreviations
WTF Where's The Fire Community abbreviations
WTF Where's The Food Community abbreviations
WTF Who's The Fairest Community abbreviations
WTF Wild Turkey Federation Community abbreviations
WTF Web Technology Forum computing abbreviations
WTF War Torn Family Military abbreviations
WTF War Torn Fantasy Military abbreviations
WTF Warriors Truly Fearless Military abbreviations
WTF Weapons, Tactics, and Fury Military abbreviations
WTF Women's Trampoline Force sports abbreviations
WTF Women's Tri-Fitness Competition sports abbreviations
WTF World Taekwondo Federation sports abbreviations
https://www.woxikon.com/abbreviations/en/wtf
I'm struggling for an example sentence, it's a hard expression to pin down because it does so many things, but it's a fairly common expression.
Here's one:
"Techniquement, il est possible de reporter ce vote jusqu'en avril."
In English we would maybe say, "The rules enable..." or similar.
That all being said, Chris's entry in the glossary is very well worded, since "permitted" leaves options open as to the permitted by what aspect.
I think it is far more likely to be a matter of policy, dictated by the fleet company's insurers, but for the purposes of the translation it doesn't much matter.
The whole point about the occasional misuse / abuse of technique in French, as alluded to by AllegroT, is that it **exploits** the "kudos" conferred by genuine technical certification, genuine technical standards, norms, etc. in fields such as aircraft engineering.
This is precisely why it's a bit of a minefield and why real proof is needed to resolve the ambiguity. At the moment I think that you might be right, or you might not.
Your asking for "proofs" is like me asking you to "prove" that it's the judge / arbiter who decides about the submitted claims.
I did not spend all my time with a pen and paper / bashing a mechanical typewriter / ... / sitting at my desk glued to a screen - I'm in the first place interpreter, in direct contact with people, not texts.
In this particular ST, the "competent technical body" would have been the design/test team of the vehicle's manufacturer or some certification body at industry level, the "legislator" would have been some authority that either makes laws or more likely bylaws (règlements d'application / d'exécution).
Take at look at how an airframe (or the whole airplane) gets its technical certification, plenty of details online about the whole process; that would be in essence how "technical certification" works in general.
You could always phone-a-friend at Lloyd's and ask where the "technical limitations" they impose on ships / airplanes / buildings they insure came from? I kind of have a premonition they will eventually mention some sort of technical body ...
Where's your proof?
It's a limit that some competent technical body has put on the operational lifespan of the vehicle, and it was simply reused as is by the legislator. It's in essence a technical limitation - is someone makes a vehicle that can be safely used two more years, this "legal" limit would then be adapted to the new technical facts.
A truly "legal" limitation would be for example a country banning the import of any vehicle older than X years, no matter its roadworthiness / remaining "technical life span".
IOW the "technique" bit is not fishy in any way, it's the key ingredient.
Actually, my wider point, based on the example provided, is that the term of 72 months comes up everywhere in the same context – no point in going chasing after chapter and verse in the legislation in my opinion.
This is in fact a LLD (Long-term rental contract) and it says the max. permitted term is 6 years
As "maximum permitted" implies legal maximum I'm still tempted to omit any translation of that pesky word "technique"
Il existe 2 types de leasing : la location avec option d’achat (LOA) et la location longue durée (LLD).
La LOA, aussi appelée crédit-bail, consiste à souscrire un contrat pour une période entre 2 et 6 ans [72 months] et laisse la possibilité de devenir propriétaire du bien.
La LLD est une solution de location exclusivement (pas de possibilité d’achat) sur une durée comprise entre 1 et 5 ans."
https://www.magicmaman.com/leasing-voiture-tout-savoir-sur-c...
Without digging out the legislation in question (in the Code des Transports or the Code de la Consommation?) the term looks like a legal maximum.