First Vehicle Licensing Reform changes signed

The Minister of Transport has signed changes to the Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Standards Compliance 2002, affecting warrant of fitness and certificate of fitness inspection systems.

Changes to the warrant of fitness system will be introduced in two stages, on 1 January 2014 and 1 July 2014.

At the end of this phase-in process, all light vehicles three years and older which were first registered anywhere on or after 1 January 2000 will be required to undergo annual, rather than six-monthly, warrant of fitness inspections.

The Minister has also announced an education and enforcement package, including a public awareness campaign to remind people they have a responsibility for the safety of their vehicle throughout the year.

The Rule will also bring change to the certificate of fitness inspection system on 1 July 2014. It will be possible to apply a certificate of fitness inspection period of between three and 12 months to heavy vehicles depending on an assessment of the vehicle’s safety risk. The range is currently three to nine months. The default inspection period for these vehicles remains at six months.

Read Minister Brownlee’s media release on the Rule changes

Read more about vehicle licensing reform.

Source: Ministry of Transport