The Government’s wide-ranging transport rule reform is being welcomed by the new vehicle industry, with the Motor Industry Association (MIA) calling for urgency and a comprehensive overhaul of heavy vehicle regulations.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced a seven-point Land Transport Rules Reform Programme, targeting red tape and modernisation across the sector. Among the key workstreams is a review of the Vehicle Dimensions and Mass (VDAM) Rule — a critical regulation for the heavy freight and logistics sector.
The MIA says the review must be comprehensive.
“A narrow review of the Vehicle Dimensions and Mass (VDAM) Rule is not enough,” MIA communications and engagement manager Alan Seay says.
“The VDAM Rule requires full reform. Its current settings no longer reflect how vehicles are built and certified internationally.
“The outdated rule limits operational efficiency for freight and logistics, places unnecessary burden on operators, and restricts access to modern vehicle types.
“MIA supports an overhaul of VDAM to reduce friction, improve alignment with key markets, and support productivity growth.”
The association says outdated transport rules have become a drag on the industry and on access to safer, cleaner, and more efficient vehicles.
“We strongly support the Minister’s call for bold reform. That is exactly what the entire new vehicle industry, from motorcycles and passenger vehicles to utes and heavy trucks, urgently needs.
“The MIA stands ready to engage constructively to ensure that this once-in-a-generation opportunity delivers real change to benefit all.”
Seay says rule reform is now critical if New Zealand wants to keep pace with global advancements in emissions, automation, safety, and vehicle design.
“NZ’s vehicle rules are outdated and unnecessarily complex, restricting market access to safer, cleaner, and more efficient vehicles,” he says.
“The current system makes compliance more difficult and increases administrative burden for both government and industry.”
The MIA is calling for the reform programme to be completed with urgency.
“MIA is backing the government’s ambition and is aligned with the Minister’s vision for bold reform.
“We also need this to be undertaken with urgency and completed with haste.
“This is an opportunity to future-proof New Zealand’s transport regulation in a way that supports safety, sustainability, and economic growth.”
Safety not be compromised
The Motor Trade Association (MTA) is also supporting the Government’s transport rule overhaul, while warning that public safety must remain a priority.
“Evaluation of measures that reflect and are fit for purpose for the modern fleet on our roads is timely,” MTA advocacy head James McDowall says.
“The advent of new technologies, particularly in regard to safety, means many vehicles on our roads are vastly different from those even just ten years ago.”
The MTA is especially focused on the Warrant of Fitness (WoF) review, which it says is overdue and no longer reflects the range of vehicles on the road.
“New vehicles have safety features that simply do not fit the current WoF inspection template, while at the other end of the scale, there are now 25-year-old vehicles which only need to undergo a Warrant of Fitness check once a year.
“This raises serious questions around safety, and it is appropriate that the review takes WoF frequency into account.”
McDowall says simplifying digital processes — such as moving away from physical stickers — will modernise customer experience and align New Zealand with global practice.
“Improving the role of digitalisation also reflects modern trends and overseas experience. Many New Zealanders travelling abroad remark on the lack of stickers on vehicle windscreens. It is time for that conversation here.”
The MTA, which represents over 4000 businesses and 62,700 employees in the automotive industry, says the rule reform is an opportunity to remove unnecessary red tape and improve efficiency.
“Any overview of regulation that removes ‘red tape’ and improves efficiencies and processes is a win for both the transport sector and the traveller,” McDowall says.
“We welcome the opportunity to continue working with the Government to update and simplify transport rules and regulations.”
