Government extends licence and vehicle documentation validity

Police won’t be writing tickets during the COVID-19 lockdown for driver’s licences, WoFs, CoFs, and some vehicle certifications, that expired on or after January 1.

Transport minister, Phil Twyford says those documents now will be valid for up to six months after April 10.

The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) says around 600,000 WoFs and CoFs, 800,000 vehicle licences, and 40,000 driver’s licences and 12,500 endorsements are expected to expire between the start of the lockdown on March 24 and May 17.

“People shouldn’t have to worry about getting fined for having an expired document if driving to use essential services or as an essential worker during the COVID-19 Alert Level 4 lockdown,” Twyford says.

“That’s why we’ve provided an extension to give certainty to the public that they won’t be issued infringement notices for using their vehicles appropriately.”

However, Twyford adds: “It’ll still be up to drivers to keep their vehicles safe and I urge owners to follow the NZ Transport Agency’s advice and regularly self-check their vehicle.

“We’re asking drivers before they set off, to give it a TWIRL – check your Tyres, Windscreen, wipers, mirrors, and Indicators, look for Rust, and test your Lights.”

Twyford says the government is allowing “essential repairs, like sorting out punctured tyres or damaged windscreens. If anything looks out of order, please go get it fixed as soon as you can.

“Drivers will still need to be medically fit to drive, comply with relevant restrictions and conditions on their licence and obey all road rules. Any licence suspensions and disqualifications will also continue to apply.”

Twyford says the extension gives people and businesses plenty of time after the lockdown to renew their documents.

Other changes include licence endorsements that expire on or after March 1. They’ll be extended and the requirement to display a current vehicle licence (rego) if it expired on or after January 1 will be suspended.

Twyford says the changes have been made to enable essential travel, not for non-essential trips or Easter getaways.

He says people can get advice on checking the safety of their vehicles using the TWIRL protocol by logging on to the NZTA website at: Check your car resources | NZ Transport Agency