Land Transport Rules (Rules) are instruments made by the Minister of Transport or their delegate (‘the Minister’) under the Act.
The Act sets out principles and the policy framework. Rules contain detailed requirements, including standards and processes, for putting those principles and policy into operation. Rules cover a range of land transport issues. Outcomes that Rules aim to achieve include, but are not limited to, the following:
Compliance with Rules is required because they form part of New Zealand transport law. The specific offences and penalties applicable to each Rule are set out in the Act or in Regulations.
Most Rules are drafted by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi), by an arrangement with the Chief Executive of the Ministry of Transport, working closely with the Ministry of Transport’s policy and legal advisors.
Rules are drafted in plain language to be easily understood. Waka Kotahi undertakes consultation on proposed changes to Rules on behalf of the Minister. The issues raised in submissions on the proposed Rule changes are analysed and considered in preparing Rules for the Minister to sign.
