Driving tests

NZ cars of the 50s and 60s profiled in new book

For today’s new driver, the recently published book We Had One of Those Too! by Stephen Barnett reveals the very different New Zealand driving environment of 50 and 60 years ago when the cars the book features held sway. Fuelled

Posted in News

Why T-plates for tourist drivers is a stupid idea

We’re doing all we can to help tourists and visitors adjust to New Zealand driving conditions with our free tourist Road Code quiz, and we were appalled by an idea that is gaining traction that tourist and visitor drivers should have

Posted in News

Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Rule Change Implemented

On July 8, 2015 changes come into effect to the VDAM rule which introduce graduated penalties for minor infringements and a revised definition of three critical conditions which attract a higher penalty: Exceeding the gross weight on the permit Exceeding

Posted in Heavy Vehicle, News

Apply for your HPMV online, for anywhere in New Zealand

Operators of high-productivity motor vehicles anywhere in New Zealand will be able to apply for their permits online from mid-March 2015 after a successful trial in Auckland. The online system is able to track each step of your permit’s process

Tagged with: | Posted in Heavy Vehicle, News

How is vehicle air pollution tested?

Equipment that measures a vehicle’s speed and the quantity and type of its exhaust emissions while under power driving up a hill is used to measure how pollution behaves in the air. Each site is clearly marked, and there is no

Tagged with: | Posted in News

Overhauling the driver licensing system

It was announced by the Transport Minister, Craig Foss, that the driver licensing system will be overhauled to try to make it simpler (read: less costly to run). This is partly because the current price of obtaining a driving licence

Posted in Car, Heavy Vehicle, Motorbike, News

New driver licence format changes

If you have a car (class 1) or motorbike (class 6) licence there are new time limits being introduced from 1 December 2014 and a newly designed licence. The class 1 and class 6 learner and restricted licences will be

Tagged with: | Posted in Car, Heavy Vehicle, Motorbike, News

NZTA and Rental Vehicle Association launch tourist driving information cards

NZTA and the NZ Rental Vehicle Association have begun a trial in the South Island of steering wheel tags and information cards aimed at educating overseas drivers as they get behind the wheel. A number of tourism and transport safety agencies

Tagged with: , , , | Posted in News

Licence will expire sooner for learner and restricted drivers

As we reported back in April, NZTA was looking for input into a law change to limit the amount of time drivers and riders spend on their learner or restricted licence. Changes to the Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Rule were announced

Tagged with: , , , , | Posted in Car, Motorbike, News

Driver mentor programme now in Christchurch

With Porirua, Waitomo and Gisborne showing success in the Community Driver Mentor Programme, Christchurch is the fourth region to roll it out. It focuses on drivers aged 16-24 that don’t have access to a licenced vehicle and can’t afford enough

Tagged with: , | Posted in Car, News

Helmet impact points shown on the Icon Airframe

Your helmet is going to help protect your head in a crash, but where is it most likely to hit something? The Icon Airframe Statistic helmet has graphics on it showing you the probability of each section receiving an impact

Tagged with: , | Posted in Advice, Motorbike, News

IAM calls for more transparent safety rating on motorcycle clothing

In the UK the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has called for a standardised safety rating for motorcycle protective clothing. In New Zealand we have standards for motorcycle helmets which constitute a minimum level of protection. In the UK there

Tagged with: , , | Posted in Advice, Motorbike, News

New road markings to help motorcyclists in deceptive corners

Some corners have deceptive camber or radius and this has been catching motorcyclists out for years, especially on the 130km Southern Coromandel Loop which includes Kopu, Whangamata, Waihi, and Paeroa. This area has seen a disproportionately high number of motorcyclist deaths:

Posted in Advice, Motorbike, News

Chinese tourists targeted for driver education

As the number of tourists visiting New Zealand grows, so does the number of rental cars driven by people who may never have driven on the left before. Tourists might not speak or read English and therefore struggle to understand

Tagged with: , | Posted in Car, Heavy Vehicle, Motorbike, News

UK government sets limits for drug traces in blood; NZ has no recommendations yet

New Zealand’s current law, which was brought into effect on 1 November 2009 states that it is illegal to drive while impaired by drugs, even legally prescribed drugs such as Benzodiazepines. However, it’s only alcohol that has prescribed maximum limits.

Posted in Car, Heavy Vehicle, Motorbike, News

Heavy vehicle offences consultation underway – have your say

NZTA is asking for feedback on changes to penalties levied on freight operators whose vehicles exceed either the weight limits stated in Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2002, or those set out in a permit. The general limits

Tagged with: , | Posted in Heavy Vehicle, News

‘Noise’ camera will photograph loud trucks

NZTA is working with the Road Transport Association NZ, Log Transport Safety Council and National Road Carriers to reduce engine braking noise. An initial trial, costing $100,000,  is taking place on SH2 Takitimu Drive near the Elizabeth St roundabout in

Tagged with: , , | Posted in Heavy Vehicle, News

Factors affecting how people travel to work

The European Commission has been spending a lot of money researching how to get people out of cars. Looking at 112 European cities with populations between 100,000-500,000 they investigated how people travel to work. They contend that travelling to work

Tagged with: , , , | Posted in News

New orange tape for motorway roadworks and temporary lanes

NZTA is introducing a new bright orange tape on Auckland’s motorways to help guide drivers through construction areas. It’s used in a continuous strip to help define temporary lanes. “The tape helps reduce the risk of an incident, particularly on

Tagged with: , , | Posted in Car, Heavy Vehicle, Motorbike, News

New overtaking opportunities on SH1 and SH2

State Highway 1 improvements A new 12.3km section, which bypasses Ngaruawahia and stretches from Taupiri in the north to Horotiu in the south, has been opened this week which makes travelling to Hamilton quicker. I drove this route yesterday, into

Tagged with: , | Posted in Car, Heavy Vehicle, Motorbike, News