50MAX Permit shift raises compliance questions at record webinar

A record number of 117 people participated in our webinar on 7 August covering an update on compliance issues and Wellington region roading updates.

It featured Inspector Scott Richardson giving an update on the now fully rolled-out random roadside drug testing regime, followed by colleague Senior Sergeant Bryan Anderson who covered off how the Commercial Vehicle Safety Team (CVST) will be enforcing the new permit-less 50MAX regime. The webinar concluded with NZTA Regional Manager Maintenance & Operations Mark Owen giving details on the Mackays Crossing commercial vehicle safety centre (CVSC), and local State Highway roading projects.

It’s fair to say the promise of less administration and improved efficiency from the removal of 50MAX permits was rather undermined by the CVSTs presentation which told operators to expect longer delays during a CVST inspection of a 50MAX combination, suggesting even a compliant vehicle could expect a 15 minute delay – or longer if non-compliant.

Snr Sgt Bryan Anderson said that without permits, it will take Police longer to determine compliance as they check what the combination is and that it matches the new 50MAX proforma. For that reason, Bryan recommended operators continue to carry 50MAX permits, even after they expire (but only if they match the new proforma). He said this may help reduce time at CVST stops. So much for getting rid of paperwork!

Bryan reminded attendees that 50MAX permits are being phased out, with permits expiring on their expiry date or 6 November, whichever is sooner.

Unsurprisingly, this part of the webinar received the greatest number of questions in the meeting chat, with a number of interesting scenarios posed. In cases where operators were operating on a discontinued 50MAX proforma design, CVST recommended reaching out to NZTA but suggested these vehicles may need to move onto an HPMV permit instead.

However, before Bryan’s presentation began, the webinar started on a more positive note, with Inspector Scott Richardson reporting on the results of the nationwide roadside drug screening, which began being rolled out last December. Scott said 4,566 roadside tests had been conducted since 1 July, when the program became fully nationwide, with 13% performed by the CVST.

So far, the number of heavy vehicle drivers found with qualifying drugs in their system was half the national average, with a positive (or fail) rate of 1.7%, which was far less than what had been predicted based on estimates of drug use in the overall population. However, some heavy vehicle drivers had been discovered with drugs at limits thousands of times above the qualifying limit.

Mark Owen’s (NZTA) concluding presentation changed tack, although it did give a run through of the new Mackays Crossing CVSC which is due to open later in August. It’s located on SH59 (the former SH1), between the Mackays Crossing and Paekakariki interchanges on Transmission Gully. Mark also gave an update on local roading projects including the SH2 Melling upgrade, safety upgrades on SH58 Haywards Hill, and the new Otaki to north of Levin expressway. When the latter opens in 2029, it will mean road users will enjoy a continuous multi-lane motorway route from Wellington to Horowhenua spanning a total distance of 95km.

• The PowerPoint presentations from the meeting can be viewed here.
• A recording of the meeting can be viewed here.