Land Transport Rules Reform Programme proactive release
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What you need to know
The Government Policy Statement on land transport 2024-2027 (GPS) includes a commitment to review the vehicle regulatory system to better manage the safety performance of the vehicle fleet, reduce regulatory burden, and keep our domestic Rules fit for purpose.
The Land Transport Rules Reform Programme (Reform Programme) includes a rolling series of public consultations and possible Rule changes:
- reducing the frequency of vintage/veteran and privately-owned heavy motorhome inspections
- considering additional safety requirements for vehicles entering New Zealand
- reviewing inspection frequency and requirements for light vehicles
- simplifying heavy vehicle licensing, vehicle dimension and mass requirements, and freight permitting
- enabling a digital driver licence, digital documents, and e-servicing
- improving lane use and traffic control devices, and minor system improvements
- overhauling the vehicle regulatory system
Reviewing of Warrant of Fitness and Certificate of Fitness A requirements for light vehicles
The Associate Minister of Transport is consulting the public on a package of changes to the current Warrant of Fitness and Certificate of Fitness A requirements. Public consultation is open from 29 October 2025 to 17 December 2025.
You can find more information about the proposals, and information about how to provide your feedback on the NZTA website here.
Reducing the frequency of vintage/veteran and privately-owned heavy motorhomes
Following consultation earlier in 2025, the Minister of Transport decided to reduce the frequency of:
· Warrant of Fitness (WoF) checks for vehicles over 40 years old from every six months to every year
· Certificate of Fitness (CoF) checks for privately-owned heavy motorhome vehicles from every six months to every year
The Rule change came into effect on 1 September 2025. You can read the Minister of Transport’s media statement on the consultation here.
Additional safety requirements for imported vehicles
The Associate Minister of Transport is consulting the public on whether vehicles entering New Zealand should be required to have additional safety features. This would not apply to vehicles already in New Zealand. Public consultation is open from 29 October 2025 to 17 December 2025.
You can find more information about the proposals, and information about how to provide your feedback on the NZTA website here.
Heavy vehicle productivity
The Minister of Transport is consulting the public on changes to simplify land transport Rules for heavy vehicles. The proposed changes relate to removing the requirement for 50MAX permitting and H Plate signage, as well as a minor amendment to incorporate a logging industry code of practice by reference. Public consultation is open from 29 October 2025 to 17 December 2025.
You can find more information about the proposals, and information about how to provide your feedback on the NZTA website here.