Fewer than 400 out of a 1000 trucks have registered to get their dodgy handbrakes fixed.
Photo: Supplied / NZ Trucking Magazine
Failures of the Sanwa Seiki handbrake have been implicated in at least nine serious crashes and two deaths since 2010.
From Wednesday this week, a truck that has not had its handbrake valve fixed will be refused a new Certificate of Fitness (COF).
The Transport Agency Waka Kotahi says if, for instance, a vehicle's next COF is due in November, the operator has until then to act.
So far, 373 out of 1035 vehicles - mostly Nissan or UD trucks - have registered for a fix.
"This staggered approach to replacing the valves is meant to ensure that all affected vehicles will be able to have the work undertaken, and that brake certifiers have enough capacity to cover the demand," NZTA said.