Transport
Making Rules Less Complex and Confusing
Federated Farmers wants farmers to be able to use vehicles on the roads safely and without hassle. We have worked hard to lobby the regulators to make land transport rules less complex and confusing.
Some if our more recent wins are highlighted below.
Agricultural Vehicles Guide
The Agricultural Vehicles Guide explains how to make sure tractors, harvesters and other agricultural vehicles are legal on the road.
The guide also provides best-practice and safety tips for on-road driving.
Federated Farmers worked to produce this guide through its membership on the Agricultural Transport Forum.
If you have transport related questions the guide may be able to help you.
Hard copies of the guide can be purchased by clicking here, alternatively an electronic copy can be viewed by clicking here.
New Driver Licencing Rules for Tractors
Federated Farmers has secured a change in the driver licence rules for tractors. Tractors up to 18 tonne (or up to 24 tonne for a tractor trailer combination) can now be driven on a (full) class 1 (car) licence, as long as they are operated at less than 30km/h.
Other agricultural vehicles such as combine harvesters, up to 18 tonne, can also now be driven on a class 1 licence, as long as they travel less than 30km/h. They will however require a wheels endorsement.
Work Time and Logbooks Victory
Another important issue Federated Farmers is working on is the Work Time and Logbooks rule.
Federated Farmers had secured an exemption for farmers from the Work Time and Logbooks rule. All vehicles which are driven on a class one (car) drivers licence are now exempt.
Over-dimension Certificates
An example of our work is the Over-dimension Certificates for large agricultural machinery. The Federation can issue you with these certificates until it convinces Land Transport New Zealand to change the rules.
Please click here to email Matt Scott for your Over Dimension Certificate.
Federated Farmers has secured an agreement from the government for agricultural vehicles to be exempt from these time restrictions, but until the regulations come into effect you will still need to apply for a permit.
Fighting for Young Rural Drivers
There have recently been discussions about the merits of increasing the driving age to prevent young drivers from having accidents. Proponents argue that young people are more prone to accidents due to their age and that increasing the age would reduce the number of accidents. The government has released a discussion document which suggests raising the driving age from 15 to 16 or 17.
Federated Farmers position has been to oppose an increase. We have argued that it is not age but driving experience that determines the propensity to have an accident and that increasing the driving age would merely shift the accidents to an older age bracket. We have supported other measures such as an increase in the length of time a learner license must be held from 6 to 12 months.
Keeping On The Right Side Of The Rules
Federated Farmers holds a provincial workshop, 'keep left on the road and right with the rules'. If you would like to hold one or attend one in your local area, please contact your provincial president.
Fact sheets
Federated Farmers has a range of member fact sheets that offer advice on:
- Refund of excise duty
- Refund on road user charges for off-road use
Log in to our members' area to access this information.
