The NZ Transport agency and transport minister Gerry Brownlee have today opened discussion on the details surrounding the introduction of 12-month Warrant of Fitness frequencies – and laid out a suggested plan for implementation.
The NZTA’s group manager of access and use, Celia Patrick, says public consultation is an important step in the process of implementing the changes announced by Cabinet in January 2013 to modernise New Zealand’s vehicle inspection systems while maintaining road safety.
“This Rule amendment will incorporate into law changes to the frequency of in-service vehicle inspections, including warrant of fitness (WoF) for private vehicles and certificate of fitness (CoF) for heavy and commercial vehicles,” says Patrick.
“We’re asking stakeholders and the public to provide feedback on any implementation or compliance issues we should consider as we design the new system.”
The NZTA is proposing that vehicles first registered anywhere between 2004 to 2008 (inclusive) should receive a 12-month WoF following their next successful inspection from 1 October this year. The new system would then effectively be in place from April 2014 as those WoFs become due.
The discussion document also calls for submissions on changes to the Certificate of Fitness scheme – although it does not progress the matter past what has already been announced – further expansion of variable frequencies, and opening up the ability to offer inspections to a broader market.
Also on the table is WOFs for vintage vehicles – submitters on the Vehicle Licensing Reform discussion document commented that vintage vehicles should have less frequent inspections than six-monthly as they usually have a lower usage than other vehicles. They also noted that vintage vehicles were well-maintained but could not be expected to achieve the safety standards of modern vehicles.
The Motor Trade Association has continued its opposition to the changes, and says the initial announcement of the implementation dates (1 July 2014 or earlier) was misleading.
MTA spokesperson Ian Stronach says the newly suggested dates bring the change forward by some nine months.
“Government says it is offering these changes to help smooth out the sudden reduction in business that will result from the new WoF frequency regime,” says Stronach.
“Far from providing any real workable assistance to industry, these changes essentially just bring forward the date of introduction and with it the loss of work for the industry.
“It won’t help industry, but it will allow government to showcase an apparent cost-saving to the electorate before next year’s election,” Stronach says.
The MTA says the bringing forward of the date to phase in the inspections will cause confusion.
