Safety and compliance are minimum requirements for heavy vehicle permit holders. When an operator applies for a heavy vehicle permit an operator check is undertaken to consider the applicant’s compliance.
This operator check includes investigating whether there have been any weight offences (critical breaches/loading), vehicle safety issues, driver fatigue/distraction issues, road user charges (RUC) evasion, outstanding debt and speeding offences. All these factors will be considered when allowing entry to the permits system.
Permits will not be issued if non-compliance is considered a safety risk.
We expect heavy vehicle permit holders to always comply with safety and legal requirements.
Operators will be monitored for any critical permit breaches, along with other offences relating to the operating of vehicles under permit conditions (such as RUC offences). Enforcement actions for permit breaches may include revoking permits, subject to assessment by Waka Kotahi.
Permit revocations or enforcement actions will be proportionate.
All formal actions (including approvals) taken from 1 January 2021 are noted and are accurate as at 31 December 2022.
| Outcomes | Numbers |
|
50MAX approved |
14,945 |
|
Higher mass approved |
20,709 |
|
Overdimension permits approved |
13,961 |
|
HVP operators warned |
136 |
|
HVP declined applications |
14 |
|
HVP Operators on Reduced Permit terms |
109 |
Wider non-compliance factors that will be included in active monitoring include, but are not limited to: road user charges (RUC) and debt evasion, overloading infringements, worktime and logbook infringements, speed infringements, certificate of fitness and roadside inspection failures.
CloseYes.
This is like the driver demerit system, with accumulated infringements resulting in the loss of a licence for a period of time.
The sustainability of the permit is in the hands of the operator. If the permit conditions and legal requirements, particularly in respect of safety, are adhered to, there will be no risk to the permit.
CloseYes. This is about ensuring operator safety and compliance on any of New Zealand’s roads.
CloseIf Waka Kotahi removes a permit, the permit holder may request us to review our decision.
CloseWaka Kotahi monitors heavy vehicle permit compliance during weigh bridge checks at commercial vehicle safety centres (CVSCs, formerly weigh stations). It will also monitor compliance via other tools, including by using the vehicle screening technology (inroad weight screening), as the Weigh Right Programme is rolled out.
CloseYes.
CloseAs Waka Kotahi takes a tougher approach on enforcement and as detection of non-compliant activity increases through initiatives like the Weigh Right Programme and on-going Commercial Vehicle Safety Team (CVST) monitoring, we will seek to remove from the industry operators who don’t have a permit and are operating illegally.
CloseIt is the operator’s responsibility as the permit holder to ensure the permits conditions are followed. Operators should endeavour to work with suppliers to ensure that they are aware of the chain of responsibilty and clearly outline their expectations in terms of ensuring vehicles are loaded correctly.
Close