The Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Amendment Rule 2006 became effective on 1st June 2006 and includes some changes to the vehicles that may be driven by the holders of various classes of driver licences or endorsements.

The maximum weight limits are based on the gross laden weight (GLW or GVM) or the gross combined weight (GCW or GCM) of the vehicle.

Gross Laden Weight is defined as the greatest of:

• The weight specified by the manufacturer of the vehicle as the gross laden weight; (this is the maximum weight that the vehicle together with its load has been designed for.)
• The weight specified as the gross laden weight under the regulations or rules. (In some cases, mainly in older vehicles, this may be greater than that specified by the manufacturer.)
• The weight of the vehicle together with the load that it is carrying at the time and including equipment and accessories and persons.

Gross Combination Weight means the aggregate, or total, of the gross laden weights of the vehicles that make up the combination.

The easiest way to determine the gross laden weight of a vehicle that is subject to a certificate of fitness is to look at the loading certificate. If the GLW or GVM is more than 4,500 kg then the driver will require a Class 2 driver licence unless the vehicle has a GLW or GVM of not more than 6,000kg and the actual laden weight is less than 4,500kg. Likewise if the vehicle has a drawbeam and the certificate shows a GCW or GCM of more than 4,500kg then a Class 1 driver licence will not be sufficient when towing.

Driver License Classes

There are 6 classes of driver licences and a number of endorsements. Most of these endorsements are applicable to commercial activities and the only ones likely to affect drivers of motor caravans are “L” which indicates a learner licence and “R” which indicates a restricted licence. The vehicles which may be driven on each class of driver licence are

License Class: Vehicles which may be driven:

Class 1, 1L and 1R a. a motor vehicle (including a tractor but excluding a motor cycle) that has a gross laden weight of not more than 4,500kg, or a combination vehicle that has a gross combination weight of not more than 4,500kg.

b. a motorised mobile home or self propelled caravan that has a gross laden weight of not more than 6,000kg, provided that its on-road weight does not exceed 4,500kg

c. a tradesperson’s vehicle that has a gross laden weight of not more than 6,000kg, provided that it’s on-road weight does not exceed 4,500kg.

Class 1 a. a special type vehicle that is a forklift or runs on rollers or self- laying tracks and has a gross laden weight of not more than 18,000kg

b. a special type vehicle that that runs on wheels and has a gross laden weight of:

1. not more than 4,500kg; or
2. more than 4,500kg but less than 18,000kg, if driven at a speed not exceeding 30 kph.

Class 2 and 2L a. a rigid vehicle (including a tractor) with a gross laden weight of more than 4,500kg but less than 18,001kg

b. a combination vehicle (other than a combination vehicle that comes within paragraph c) that has a combination weight of not more than 12,000kg.

c. a combination vehicle consisting of a rigid vehicle with gross laden weight of not more than 18,000kg and towing a light trailer.

d. a rigid vehicle with a gross laden weight of more than 18,000kg and with not more than 2 axles.

Class 2 a. a special type vehicle that is a forklift or runs on rollers or self-laying tracks that has a gross laden weight of more than 18,000kg.

b. a special type vehicle that runs on wheels and has a gross laden weight of more that 4,500kg but less than 18,001 kg, if driven at a speed exceeding 30 kph.

c. a special type vehicle that runs on wheels and has a gross laden weight of more than 18,000kg if driven at a speed not exceeding 30 kph.

Class 3 and 3L a combination vehicle (other than a combination that comes within paragraph c of the definition of licence class 2 and 2L) that has a gross combination weight of more than 12,000kg but less than 25,001kg.

Class 4 and 4L a. a rigid vehicle (including a tractor) with a gross laden weight of more than 18,000kg

b. a combination vehicle consisting of a rigid vehicle with a gross laden weight of more than 18,000kg and towing a light trailer.

Class 4 a special type vehicle that runs on wheels and has a gross laden weight of more than 18,000kg if driven at a speed exceeding 30 kph.

Class 5 and 5L a combination vehicle with a gross combination weight of more than 25,000kg

Classes 6, 6L and 6R a motor cycle, moped, or all terrain vehicle.

Note: If you are caught driving a vehicle on the wrong class of driver licence you may be charged and the fine for this offence is up to $1,000 per offence.

Learner Licenses:

No person is allowed to drive any motor vehicle until they have passed a theory test and gained a learner licence for the class of vehicle concerned. To gain a learner licence you must make application on the appropriate form, pass an eyesight test and pay the appropriate fees plus:

For a Class 1L be over 15 years of age and pass the appropriate theory test.

For a Class 2L Hold and have held a full Class 1 licence for at least 6 months if under 25 years of age or 3 months if aged 25 years or over.
Produce a medical certificate.
Pass the appropriate theory test.
For a Class 3L Hold and have held a full Class 2 licence for at least 6 months if under 25 years of age or 3 months if aged 25 years or over.
Pass the appropriate theory test.

For a Class 4L Hold and have held a full Class 2 licence for at least 6 months if under 25 years of age or 3 months if aged 25 years or over.
Pass the appropriate theory test.

For a Class 5L Hold and have held a full Class 4 licence for at least 6 months if under 25 years of age or 3 months if aged 25 years or over.
Pass the appropriate theory test.

The holder of a learner licence for Classes 2, 3, 4 or 5 may complete a course with a New Zealand Transport Agency approved trainer and gain a full licence for that class with no minimum time requirement.

Once you have gained a Learner licence you may drive a vehicle of that Class provided that you are accompanied by a person who holds and has held for at least 2 years a current full licence for that Class of vehicle. That person will be charge of the vehicle and must be seated in the front passenger seat nearest the driver and if there is no front passenger seat must be seated as near as is practicable to the driver. That person must also not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs and must be in a condition whereby they could assume control of the vehicle if necessary. If the learner licence is for a Class 1 licence the vehicle must have an L plate displayed at both the front and rear of the vehicle whenever the learner driver is driving. It must not be displayed at any other time.

Drivers aged 75 years or more may renew their licence up to 6 months before the expiry date while still retaining the validity from the original expiry date.

Load Security:

Most people are aware of the existence of a Loading Code that covers the operations of trucks. However many are not aware that drivers of other vehicles are also required to ensure the security of their loads. The Land Transport Act 1998 provides that a person operating a vehicle on a road commits an offence if that person fails to ensure that any load carried in or on that vehicle, or in or on any vehicle being towed by a vehicle driven by that person, is secured and contained in such a manner that it cannot fall or escape from the vehicle. The clearly includes any spillage’s. If a person is convicted of this offence, the maximum fine for an individual is $2,000.00 and the court may disqualify that person from holding a driver’s licence for any such period as the court thinks fit.

The Resource Management (Infringement Offences) Regulations 1999 came into effect on 1st February, 2000 and instant fines can be issued if a person is caught indiscriminately dumping waste. Travelling with waste tank valves open could fall into this category. The penalties are $300.00 for discharging onto land, but for discharging into water or onto land where it can reach water the fine is $750.00.