Changes included in our RSRA consultation

We consulted the public earlier this year on minor changes to land transport rules to be made via a single rule change process called RSRA.

All feedback was considered before the Minister of Transport decided on the changes in September 2025.

More information about the RSRA consultation

The tables below list the 41 proposed minor changes. The majority of these will be made but 5 relating to heavy vehicle brakes won’t proceed (see Not changing). The rationale for all decisions is detailed in our Summary of Submissions Report.

Summary of Submissions report [PDF, 720 KB]

The changes will take effect on 3 November 2025.

Land Transport Rule: Heavy Vehicle Brakes 2006
To amend clause 1.2(4)(b) to include dynamic testing under 6.1(2) as a means of validating non-towing vehicle service brake compliance.
To amend clause 2.3(1) to permit driver-controlled brake force distribution adjustment (proportioning) between certain prime movers and towed medium weight trailers (TC Class).	Not changing
Updating the Heavy Vehicle Brakes Rule by inserting section 2.7 to require anti-lock braking systems (ABS) for heavy vehicles first registered or modified from three months from when the Proposed Amendment Rule comes into effect.	Not changing
Amending clause 7.1(4)(c)(ii) to ensure towing vehicles have ABS functionality.	Not changing
Amending clause 7.2 to improve inter-vehicle compatibility and performance when vehicles of differing levels of brake technology are used in combination.	Not changing
Amending clause 7.5 to ensure heavy vehicles have anti-lock braking system (ABS) functionality.	Not changing
To add the definition of electronically controlled braking system (EBS) in Part 2 of the Rule.
To amend Schedule 5 to improve readability and reduce repetition.

Land Transport Rule: Glazing Windscreen Wipe and Wash and Mirrors 1999
To require LE (motor tricycles) class vehicles with windscreens to maintain their manufacturer-fitted wash system.
Land Transport Rule: Heavy Vehicles 2004
To correct an error in the drafting of the Heavy Vehicles Rule by updating clause 1.2(4) to remove references to clauses 4.7(2A) & 4.8(3A) and 4.8(4A).
Land Transport Rule: Light Vehicle Brakes 2002
Remove the requirement for enduro/or trial motorcycles to have an anti-lock braking system or combined braking systems unless they are being used for sanctioned competition; and remove the definition of sanctioned competition.
Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2016 (VDAM Rule)
To update the VDAM Rule to change the swept path requirements for mobile cranes and include a definition of a power crane.
To require NZTA to consider additional factors when issuing an over dimension permit. These include the safety of the vehicle, safety of road users and durability of roads and bridges.
Aligning over dimension permit revocations with overweight powers in the VDAM Rule.
Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Standards Compliance 2002 (VSC Rule)
To update the VSC Rule to require inspecting organisations to notify NZTA of any material change in circumstances, such as changes in address, name, ownership, person in charge.
To update the VSC Rule to clarify specialist certification requirements still apply for both light and heavy vehicles even if an in-service certification is mistakenly issued.
To amend clause 9.8 of the VSC Rule to ensure that the information NZTA uses when setting Certificate of Fitness can relate to vehicle safety.
Land Transport Rule: Steering Systems 2001 (the Steering Rule)
Updating the Steering Rule to reference approved international standards and adding complying with an approved standard as an alternative compliance method. This aligns with European, American, Japanese and Australian standards.
Land Transport Rule: Driver Licensing 1999 (Driver Licensing Rule)
Replacing references to the ‘Immigration Act 1987’, the ‘Department of Labour (Immigration)’ and the ‘Electoral Enrolment Centre of New Zealand Post Limited’ with references to the ‘Immigration Act 2009’, the ‘Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’ and the ‘Electoral Commission’.
Land Transport Rule: Traffic Control Devices Rule 2004 (TCD Rule)
Clarifying that road controlling authorities may use: - Green surface texture/coloured surfacing for cycling infrastructure, and - red surface texture/coloured surfacing where an RCA considers there is a high crash risk.
Inserting ‘than’ into 8.2(11)(b) and change ‘.’ To a ‘- ‘in W14.10.
Adding the ‘Advanced contra-flow cycle facility’ sign to Schedule 1.
Adding the ‘pass safely pedestrians’ sign to Schedule 1.
Adding the ‘No right turn, Part time (flashing)’ sign to Schedule 1.
Adding the ‘Pedestrian – kuia and tamaiti with marae’ supplementary sign to Schedule 1.
Removing reference to give way plates in sign R2-3 ‘Give Way Roundabout’.
Allowing ‘curve supplementary advisory speed’ sign under the ‘hump’ sign be used together.
Including a new Intersection Speed Zone specific sign suite that includes W11-2, W11-3, W11-4, W11-5 type signs
Removing ‘Feeling sleepy, Take a break’ sign from Schedule 1
Clarifying that traffic control devices only need to ‘conform substantially’ with those prescribed in schedules (which is currently mentioned in Schedule 1).
Adding ‘Goods Vehicle Lane’ signs to both Schedule 1 and 2.
Adding ‘Tourist Arrow’ to Schedule 2.
Adding the ‘Shared path behavioural and cycle detector loop’ signs.
Adding ‘Pedestrian Crossing (New Format and (Interim Format)) to Schedule 2.
Requiring that bus stop markings must be at least 2.5 metres wide. Amend M3-2 and M3-2A to require that bus stop markings must be at least 2.5 metres wide.
Requiring that both ‘STOP’ markings and ‘GIVE WAY’ symbol markings are white and reflectorised.
Clarifying in Schedule 2 that children need to wait behind hold line, but if tactile pavers are installed, they need to wait behind the tactile pavers.
Adding a marking similar to the picture below to Schedule 2, tiled “Yellow diagonal no parking marking”.
Removing the marking below from Schedule 2.
Including the directional cycle signals in Schedule 3.
Adding Matariki to the definition of “Public holiday”

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