Vehicles with expired WoFs can be used during lockdown

People can drive a vehicle without a Warrant of Fitness (WoF) during the COVID-19 lockdown provided they can show it’s safe to operate.

And police won’t issue tickets for expired WoFs during Alert Level 4.

That’s the word today from the Ministry of Transport and the NZTA. In a statement, the agencies say that obtaining a new WoF is not defined as an essential trip during the lockdown.

“Members of the public should not travel for this purpose, and businesses should not provide WoF services to (members of) the general public who are not essential workers.”

The statement says that because people can’t obtain a new WoF during the shutdown, “all expired WoFs will be deemed current.”

But any person driving a private vehicle for essential journeys (such as supermarket shopping or going to the chemist or doctor) with a current or expired WoF, must ensure it’s safe.

Police can order off the road vehicles that have “serious safety issues.”

However, obtaining a WoF/CoF is regarded as an essential trip for vehicles used by essential services and their supply chains.

Essential services can request and be provided with CoF inspections including any maintenance or repairs required.

The agencies say that during the shutdown, an expired WoF/CoF on a vehicle used for essential services will be deemed current “if it is impractical for it to be renewed.”

But drivers and operators in that position must ensure the vehicle is safe to use.

“Repairs needed to make a vehicle safe to carry out an essential service, are themselves an essential service and can be commissioned and carried out,” the agencies continue.

Though they can order unsafe essential service vehicles off the road until they’re fixed, police won’t issue tickets for an expired WoF/CoF to essential service drivers during the lockdown.

The ministry and the NZTA say they’re working to put in place formal regulations relating to WoFs and CoFs during the level four alert. Today’s statement provides interim guidance while that’s being done.