Heavy Vehicle Productivity Phase 1

We’re consulting on amendments to the following Rules for heavy vehicles:

• Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2016 (VDAM)
• Land Transport Rule: Heavy Vehicles 2004 (HV Rule)

Why they’re important

The Government wants to ensure the land transport regulatory system contributes positively to New Zealand’s economic growth, delivering a safer, more productive transport system that efficiently targets risk.

Proposed Rule changes aim to reduce administrative requirements for heavy vehicles and use regulatory and enforcement resources more efficiently.

Proposed changes are:

• Removing 44T-50MAX permits: the VDAM Rule requires vehicles weighing between 44 and 50 tonnes (50MAX vehicles) to have permits to operate. We are proposing to remove the requirement for 50MAX vehicles to have a permit, where these vehicles meet specific design standards and are operated on pre-approved routes.
• Removing H plates: H plates are yellow signs or stickers displayed on High Productivity Motor Vehicles (HPMVs) to show they’re operating under a permit in the VDAM Rule. We’re proposing to remove the requirement to display H plates. Operators would still need to hold valid permits or documentation, and enforcement agencies would continue to rely on these records.
• Incorporating the Bolster Attachment Code by reference: The Bolster Attachment Code (the Code) sets out detailed requirements for heavy vehicles fitted with bolsters carrying logs. The Code must currently be written into the HV Rule, meaning any new version requires a formal HV Rule change for the Code to have legal effect. We’re proposing to incorporate the Code by reference. This would allow the Code to be updated quickly and easily, without needing to amend the Rule each time.  
• Minor amendment to definitions in the HV Rule: The term ‘low volume vehicle’ is defined in the HV Rule, but isn’t used anywhere else in the HV Rule, and doesn’t serve a regulatory purpose. We’re proposing to amend the HV Rule to remove this unused definition.

This consultation is one of 3 consultations now open for feedback. Information on the other 2 consultations -  changes to light vehicle (WoF and CoF A) inspections and considering new safety features for vehicles imported into New Zealand – can be found in this consultation hub.

• Considering changes to light vehicle inspections
• Considering new safety features for vehicles imported into New Zealand

Consultation documents

Before making your submission, carefully consider the information provided in the Consultation document and the likely impacts the proposed changes could have on you or your organisation.

• Consultation summary [PDF, 212 KB]
• Consultation document [PDF, 776 KB]
• Draft Rule amendment [PDF, 292 KB]
• Heavy Vehicle productivity phase 1 RIS - Ministry of Transport(external link)

Have your say

Share your feedback by 17 December 2025 using the online feedback form: 

Online feedback form(external link)

We’ll consider and analyse all feedback received and use it to provide advice to the Minister of Transport.

If you have a question about this consultation, send it to:

rules@nzta.govt.nz

This work is part of the Government’s Land Transport Rules Reform Programme: 

Land Transport Rules Reform Programme(external link)

NZTA will analyse submissions and work with the Ministry of Transport to advise the Minister of Transport as to whether the Rule amendments proposed should proceed. We anticipate final decisions on Rule amendments in May 2026.

If a Rule changes, we will:

• publish a notice in the government gazette (required by law)
• notify industry contacts, service providers and people who provided feedback
• update our website, including providing a summary of submissions and amended rules.

If a Rule doesn’t change, we will:

• notify industry contacts and service providers
• update our website to provide a summary of submissions.

Your submission is public information

Note your submission might be made public. We may publish your submission and may include your name as the person who submitted it or provide it to a third party.

If any part of your submission is commercially sensitive or you have a reason why it shouldn’t be disclosed, or why you shouldn’t be named, make that clear in your submission.

Any requests to keep information private will be considered under the Official Information Act 1982.

Your response and privacy

The information you send us on this online form will be used by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) to help inform our consultation for Heavy Vehicle Productivity Rule Reform. NZTA may publish in part or in full the information you submit, for example in a consultation report, but we will not include any information that could be used to identify an individual person. If you have indicated you are an authorised representative of an organisation, we may publish your organisation’s name. Clearly indicate if your comments contain commercially sensitive information or, if for some other reason, they should not be disclosed. 

If you would like to request official information from us, don’t include that in your submission. Instead, direct it to the project team so we can respond to it in a timely manner.

You can find more about how we hold and protect your information, and our obligations under the Official Information Act on our website.

Consultation - Privacy and Official Information requests

Note on use of AI in analysing feedback

To help us analyse the feedback we receive through this consultation, we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools. These tools can assist us in identifying common themes and summarising responses more efficiently. Any use of AI will follow our privacy and data protection standards, and your feedback will always be reviewed by our team to ensure fair and accurate reporting.