Late last year the NZ Transport Agency consulted on further changes to Warrant of Fitness (WoF) frequencies for light vehicles, along with revising the content of the inspection.
Earlier last year, light vehicles aged over 40 years shifted from 6-monthly to annual WoFs. Amongst the changes proposed in this second tranche were extending the first WoF for new vehicles from 3 to 4 years of age, and then only requiring a WoF every two years for vehicles aged 4-10 years (which is the typical test frequency in Europe regardless of age).
Significantly though, the NZTA proposed that all light vehicles aged 10 and over only be tested annually. This would remove, once and for all, the 6-monthly WoF frequency (the most frequent in the world) that has been in place since the 1930s. Until recently, only vehicles built from the year 2000 onwards were eligible for annual WoFs, until the new over-40 amendment. But that left vehicles built before 2000, and under 40 years of age (so from 1986 to 1999) still subject to 6-monthly WoFs.
Transporting NZ’s submission was supportive of this proposal, along with another change that would see rental vehicles under the age of 5 only undergo a CoF A test once a year instead of 6-monthly as at present. However, we recommended this should be extended to all light vehicles subject to a CoF A and under 5 years of age, i.e. including light passenger vehicles for hire and reward (taxis, rideshare and taxi vans).
We also supported extending the scope of both the WoF and CoF A inspections to include checking Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) warning lights or fault indicators on modern vehicles. No such changes were proposed for CoF B inspections.
Our submission was issued on behalf of several transport sector groups comprising the Bus & Coach Association, Motor Industry Association, National Road Carriers and Rural Contractors NZ.
If the proposals proceed, they will likely take effect by mid-year.
