The removal of 50MAX permits is failing to deliver the promised reduction in administration for heavy vehicle operators, according to Transporting New Zealand policy specialist Mark Stockdale.
New permits have not been required since August 6, with existing permits being phased out when they expire or on November 6, whichever comes first.
They have been replaced by revised proformas containing much of the information previously included in the permits.
Stockdale says Transporting New Zealand supported removing the permit requirement but had advocated for 50MAX vehicles to simply be incorporated into the Vehicle Dimensions and Mass (VDAM) Rule.
“One of the changes consulted on was removing 50MAX permits. Whilst we think 50MAX vehicles should simply be added to the schedule in the VDAM Rule – 50t being the new 44t essentially – the proposal to remove the requirement to obtain a permit was sold as an administrative saving for operators.
“It’s questionable whether it could really be claimed to be a ‘productivity’ benefit, but OK, we’ll take it.”
However, Stockdale says the new system is not delivering the expected administrative benefits and has created uncertainty around some vehicle combinations.
“I could talk about the confusion caused by the new proformas and the various 50MAX combinations that aren’t covered and have seemingly fallen through the cracks. NZTA are investigating these, but for some they may end up needing HPMV permits instead.
“Whilst the 50MAX permits may have gone, drivers are still required to have the proforma available. That could be electronically, but in reality for most that will mean carrying them in the cab – and you may need more than one if the prime mover tows different types of trailers.”
Stockdale says concerns about the new regime were reinforced during Transporting New Zealand’s compliance and roading webinar on August 6.
Participants heard from the Police Commercial Vehicle Safety Team (CVST) that inspections of 50MAX vehicles could take longer because officers will need to identify the vehicle combination and check that it matches the relevant proforma.
“They even recommended carrying the expired permit to help speed up the process. It’s hard to see how this is a win for the industry.”
Stockdale says Transporting New Zealand has met with NZTA officials several times to clarify the changes and address issues with the rollout.
He says the rollout could have gone better if there had been more engagement with the sector early on so the industry could have alerted them to some of the more unusual 50MAX combinations.
“It seems the Police CVST weren’t bought along on this journey earlier either. We do know the Minister’s announcement meant the phasing out of permits was rushed, but this exercise has driven home the importance of officials engaging with the sector – who are the experts – before they introduce changes that affect the sector.”
Stockdale says the issue forms part of wider concerns about the scale of heavy vehicle productivity reforms being pursued by NZTA.
“The proposals have been pretty underwhelming to be honest; small things like getting rid of H plates, and Transporting New Zealand’s submissions have called for more far-reaching VDAM reform with concrete examples of changes we’d like to see – indeed which are necessary to deliver, well, improved productivity.”
