From the start of September, vintage light vehicles and private heavy motorhomes will only need to get a new Warrant of Fitness (WoF) or Certificate of Fitness (CoF) once a year, instead of every six months.
The updated rules were proposed by the Government in February.
Under the new regulations, warrant of fitness checks for light vehicles over 40 years old would change from every six months to every year. Certificate of fitness checks for privately-owned heavy motorhomes would also change from every six months to every year.
Eligible “vintage” vehicles are cars and motorcycles over 40 years old.
There are around 128,000 vintage vehicles and 39,000 private motorhomes registered in New Zealand.
“Until now, their owners have had to front up for a Warrant or Certificate of Fitness inspection every six months – even though these vehicles are driven far less than your average modern car,” Transport Minister Chris Bishop said.
“Evidence shows that vintage vehicles and motorhomes are half as likely to have a contributing fault in a serious crash – even after adjusting for how many of them are on the road. And when it comes to passing a WoF inspection, vintage vehicles actually perform better than vehicles under 40 years old.
“In fact, once a vehicle hits 40, its pass rates go up – proof that hitting middle age isn’t all bad news.”
Bishop said the Government would also be reviewing WoF and CoF frequency rules for other light vehicles.
