Last week, submissions closed for feedback on NZTA’s Land Transport Rule: Regulatory Systems Rule Amendment (RSRA) 2025 and as far as we’re aware, Transporting New Zealand is the only road freight representative association to have made a submission.
NZTA sought feedback on 41 “small and discrete changes” to the following rules, including some of particular significance to the road freight industry:
- Glazing Windscreen Wipe and Wash and Mirrors 1999
- Heavy Vehicles Brakes 2006
- Heavy Vehicles 2004
- Light-Vehicle Brakes 2002
- Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2016
- Vehicle Standards Compliance 2002
- Steering Systems 2001
- Driver Licensing 1999
- Traffic Control Devices 2004
The proposed amendment claims to clarify current regulations, remove redundant requirements and update some to reflect new practices or technologies. Some proposals were common-sense changes; such as simplifying signage and updating permitted brake-testing methods.
Transporting New Zealand conditionally supported some proposals, such as over-dimension and permit changes in the VDAM Rule. The devil’s in the detail and we emphasise that NZTA needs to collaborate with affected stakeholders and knowledgeable bodies like the New Zealand Heavy Haulage Association (HHA) to ensure the rules work in practice, and to give operators sufficient time to adjust to any new rules and processes.
There were several proposals that we don’t support, on the basis that they don’t reflect the practical realities of heavy vehicle operation nor do they consider how these changes could adversely impact the road freight industry.
For instance, NZTA are proposing to mandate Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) requirements for heavy vehicles and towing vehicles. While ABS is beneficial, we challenged rushed implementation without understanding the scale, cost, or industry readiness – especially as NZTA did not specify which vehicle classes and how many vehicles in total will be affected.
We also asked NZTA to rethink poorly worded clauses and consider the practical impact on certification and servicing by providing transparent cost-benefit analyses before any changes are formalised.
The second part of the RSRA is focussed on the Traffic Control Devices Rule. We fundamentally believe that consistent road markings alongside good road and traffic design negates the need for endless signage. But one sign we’d like to see updated is the Goods Vehicle Lane, which currently features a bus icon rather than a truck!
Overall, these changes amount to tinkering around the edges when New Zealand could really do with an extra-large dose of big-picture thinking to improve productivity and catch up with the rest of the world. For more thoughts on this, read here.
