Learner riders may soon be able to use approved electric motorcycles under upcoming proposed Rule changes.
Currently, it is illegal for learner riders to use electric motorcycles. Under the Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Rule 1999, learner riders are only able to use petrol-powered motorcycles.
However, this change to the Driver Licensing Rule is one of many proposed changes under the Land Transport Rule: Regulatory Stewardship (Omnibus) 2018, as the NZ Transport Agency undertakes consultation on behalf of the Associate Minister of Transport.
The Omnibus Amendment Rule consultation enables a diverse range of minor changes to several Land Transport Rules all at once, instead of consulting on each rule individually.
For the 2018 Omnibus Rule, the Transport Agency is proposing about 80 changes across 15 Land Transport Rules, including the Passenger Service Vehicles Rule 1999 and Vehicle Lighting Rule 2004.
The proposed changes in the latest Omnibus are necessary for a variety of reasons - from clarifying requirements to support enforcement or amending requirements to be consistent with current practice.
In addition to enabling learner riders to use approved electric motorcycles, the proposed changes include ensuring cycle lights have a minimum visibility of 200 metres, rather than the current 100 metres, and allowing signs and markings at small passenger service vehicle stands to use the word ‘TAXI’ or the letters ‘SPSV’ (for Small Passenger Service Vehicle).
Another proposed change is enabling stop/go signs to be electronically controlled. Currently, stop/go signs are required to be hand held, which means traffic management team members can be physically quite close to vehicles. Enabling signs to be electronically controlled provides for improved health and safety outcomes.
The Omnibus is open for public feedback from Friday 20 July through until Friday 24 August, and the Transport Agency is calling for submissions.
Submissions received during the consultation period will be summarised, analysed and taken into account before finalising the provisions which will be divided into 15 separate Amendment Rules. The final Amendment Rules will then be submitted to the Associate Minister of Transport for signing.
You can view this year’s draft and provide your feedback on the Omnibus Amendment Rule 2018 here.
