Land Transport Rules - Questions & answers

New amendment Rules signed in December 2007

What are the new amendment Rules?

The new amendment Rules signed by the Minister for Transport Safety are:

How did these amendment Rules originate?

These amendment Rules make changes to eight Land Transport Rules. They were consulted on as part of the draft Land Transport Rule: Omnibus Amendment 2007 (the draft Omnibus Amendment Rule).

Following consultation, the provisions in the draft Omnibus Amendment Rule were split into 10 separate amendment Rules. Two of the amendment Rules consulted on, Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Amendment [2008], and Land Transport Rule: Heavy Vehicles Amendment [2008], are to be signed in early 2008.

Why were the amendment Rules made?

The amendment Rules make relatively minor changes to Rules. The amendments are required:

to update Rules as a result of changes to other New Zealand legislation, including other Rules;
to clarify requirements in Rules
to update standards and other material incorporated by reference in Rules;
to make minor technical or editing changes; and
to correct minor inconsistencies or oversights in Rules.

When do these amendment Rules come into force?

These amendment Rules come into force on 17 January 2008.

Was the public consulted on the amendments?

Yes. In August 2007, Land Transport New Zealand advised about 2500 groups and individuals registered on the Rules consultation database, by letter or email, of the proposed changes and invited them to make submissions. Printed copies of the draft Omnibus Amendment Rule and the summary of the proposed changes were made available to people on request. The draft Omnibus Amendment Rule and information material were also available on the Land Transport NZ website.

Public notices seeking submissions were placed in the daily newspapers in the metropolitan centres (Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin) and the Minister’s intention to make the amendment Rules was notified in the New Zealand Gazette. Land Transport NZ received 35 submissions on the draft Omnibus Amendment Rule.

What is the legal basis for the amendment Rules?

The Land Transport Act 1998 allows the Minister of Transport to make Land Transport Rules. Rules are drafted in plain English and go through an extensive consultation process with interested groups and the public. This is to ensure that they are easily understood and are widely complied with. Rules are usually prepared by Land Transport NZ under contract to the Ministry of Transport and, like regulations, have the force of law.

Where can I get copies of the amendment Rules?

Final Rules are available on the Land Transport NZ website at www.landtransport.govt.nz/rules/. Printed copies of Land Transport Rules can be purchased from selected bookshops throughout New Zealand that sell legislation. Most Rules can also be purchased from the Rule printers and distributors, Wickliffe Ltd, telephone (06) 358 8231. Land Transport (Road User) Amendment (No 2) 2007 was drafted by the Parliamentary Counsel Office and printed copies can be purchased through the printers of that Rule, Legislation Direct (telephone (04) 568 0005).

Rules may also be inspected at regional offices of Land Transport NZ.

How will Land Transport NZ make sure people know about the amendment Rules?

A newsletter outlining the changes to the Rules will be sent to groups and individuals who registered their interest in the Rules that have been amended. Stakeholders and industry groups likely to be directly affected by specific amendments will receive information on the changes.

Land Transport NZ will update any Factsheets or other information material available on the Land Transport NZ website to reflect the changes brought about by the amendment Rules.

How can I get more information about the amendment Rules?

You can contact the Land Transport NZ Contact Centre on 0800 699 000 for more information about the Rules.

Page created: 19 December 2007