The NZ Transport Agency has confirmed it will expand its functions at alert level 2.
“Most of our services will be up and running under alert level 2 but some will not yet be operating at full capacity, so we ask for the patience and kindness that New Zealanders have shown in recent times to continue as we step into this new phase,” general manager regulatory services Kane Patena says
Legislative changes announced in April temporarily extended the validity of driver licences, endorsements, Warrants of Fitness (WoFs), Certificates of Fitness (CoFs) and other certification documents during the lockdown period, and some of the WoFs and CoFs that expired between January 1 and the lockdown have already been renewed.
“We have been very pleased to see many vehicle owners visiting WoF and CoF providers to have their vehicles inspected and ensure they are safe since we moved to alert level 3,” Patena says.
“We’ve been working closely with the inspection industry and actively monitoring capacity and volume levels, and we understand that most service providers are currently coping well. We will continue to monitor volumes with our counter agents as they re-open.
“Delivery timeframes may also be longer than normal to begin with as counter services are opening for the first time since New Zealand went into lockdown,” he says. “We ask people to give service providers time to adjust to alert level 2 guidelines in their new working situation.
“Driver licensing agents will reopen for over-the-counter transactions at alert level 2 and practical driving tests will resume from Monday, 18 May. Physical distancing and hygiene requirements will be followed and agents and driver testing officers are committed to keeping customers safe.
The agency’s 0800 lines will be operational for the general public from Monday 18 May, but initially at a limited capacity. The agency says there are likely to be significant wait times.
The Vehicle and Driver Licensing team is also processing enquiries and documents.
“We will work hard to respond to your calls or emails as soon as we can, and we thank you in advance for your patience,” says Patena. “Please be understanding as services reopen or resume some activities, and please respect the health and safety guidelines that may be in place for some service providers.”
