New Zealand / Transport

Transport Agency says safety a priority as it eyes lockdown exemptions

12:34 pm on 26 August 2021

Transport officials are looking at whether to issue exemptions over expired licences, or warrants and certificates of fitness.

Photo: 123RF

During the level 4 lockdown last year, many vehicle owners got official exemptions, and the Road Transport Forum has called for this to be repeated.

Waka Kotahi said it had already agreed with police that they won't enforce the rules if people are a few days late as long as their vehicle is safe.

"The priority is safety, not paperwork," it said.

The forum, which represents truck companies, has [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/449993/truck-drivers-fear-penalties-during-lockdown-industry-group-warns

said officials have been stonewalling it, too "timid" to make a call] due to uncertainty over how long the alert level 4 lockdown would last.

Exemptions could be for several months, the forum said.

But the agency said it has been keeping the forum and road users informed.

It was working with the Transport Ministry on what more to do if the lockdown goes on for an "extended" period.

"On how we can effectively support road users to get back to compliance once we've got better information such as the length of the lockdown, the number of vehicles and drivers impacted, the capacity of the agent network and certifiers to support clearing the lockdown backlog, and the time period for any exemption".