Major changes to Certificate of Fitness inspections have been unveiled today by the Government in its much-awaited Vehicle Licensing Reform document.
Now, heavy transport operators with good safety records can be moved by the NZTA to a 12-monthly CoF inspection frequency, instead of the current six-monthly inspection routine.
Conversely, transport operators with bad safety records can be ordered by the NZTA to undergo three-monthly CoF inspections.
The current six-monthly CoF default inspection frequency will be retained, but with the NZTA able to apply a different frequency – between three and 12 months – depending on the operator’s safety record.
Much of the cost of getting a CoF comes from the time a vehicle is out of service. Extending the variable frequency range for CoF rewards operators with good safety records through longer periods between inspections, while still closely managing operators with poor safety records.
Much of the cost of getting a CoF comes from the time a vehicle is out of service. Extending the variable frequency range for CoF gives the ability to reward operators with good safety records through longer periods between inspections, while still closely managing operators with poor safety records.
The government has also broadened the range of CoF inspecting organisations and sites, including allowing inspection providers to also do vehicle maintenance.
The NZTA says it will review its approval, monitoring and auditing procedures to make sure high quality inspections are maintained.
Benefits from CoF changes are estimated to be in the range of $14 to $41 million a year and up to $460 million over 30 years.
Changes to the CoF system will be made through the Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Standards Compliance 2002 and are expected to be in place by July 2014 or earlier.
No changes changes will be made in the meantime to the transport services licensing system?
The transport services licensing system is used to identify and regulate commercial transport operators such as taxis, buses, freight services and rental vehicles. The current system will be retained but consideration will be given to whether the system can be refined and better targeted towards risk. Further advice to the Minister is expected by the end of September 2013.
