To drive your heavy vehicle safely and legally on the road, it must have the right equipment (in good working order) and have a current certificate of fitness (CoF). This section explains what your vehicle must have.
Vehicles that require a CoF are:
A current CoF shows the vehicle has been inspected by an approved CoF inspector and was roadworthy at the time of the last CoF inspection.
The CoF label is attached to the inside of the windscreen, on the driver’s side, and must be clearly visible from outside the vehicle.
The CoF inspector will give you a copy of the check sheet. This is a receipt of payment for the inspection and is not a certificate of fitness. If your vehicle failed its CoF inspection, the receipt gives you 28 days to have the vehicle fixed and brought back for re-inspection. During that time, you are only allowed to drive the vehicle to get it repaired and re-inspected.
ImportantIn addition to the CoF, the vehicle must display a current licence label, a road user charges (RUC) licence if required and a number plate on the front and back that can be clearly seen. |
A CoF is usually issued for six months.
However, you should always check the expiry date on the CoF label. This is because in some instances Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency may have authorised a vehicle to be issued with a CoF for as little as three months or as much as 12 months.
To meet the CoF standard, your vehicle must be in good condition (no rust around safety areas) and it must have the following equipment in good working order:
ImportantYou can be fined if you drive any vehicle that is not up to CoF standard on a road. A police officer can require you to stop for a roadside vehicle check at any time. |
Not all heavy vehicles are required to be fitted with safety belts. However, if your vehicle does have safety belts, you must use them.
Safety belts and child restraints
Where safety belts are fitted, they must be in good condition. You should have safety belts checked immediately if:
They may need replacing.
Legal requirements for safety belts have changed over the years and are different depending on the age and type of vehicle. The type of belt has also changed from static belts to retractor belts.
ImportantAt the start of each day, always do a walk-around check of your vehicle. |