Resources & manuals

• Author: NZ Transport Agency

An introduction to Land Transport Rules, including the status of Rules currently being developed.

• Also known as: Driver Licensing Rule
• Reference: Rule 91001
• Author: Land Transport NZ, Land Transport Safety Authority, NZ Transport Agency

This Rule specifies the requirements for obtaining and renewing a driver licence or licence endorsement in New Zealand. It also specifies the requirements for driver licensing service providers.

The Rule is available in two electronic formats:

• HTML (click on the Rule in the browse section/chapter menu)
• PDF (click on the Rule in...

• Also known as: Road User Rule
• Reference: Rule 61001
• Author: Land Transport NZ

This Rule establishes the rules under which traffic operates on roads. It applies to all road users, whether they are drivers, riders, passengers, pedestrians, or leading or droving animals.

The Rule is available in two electronic formats:

• HTML (click on the Rule in the browse section/chapter menu)
• PDF (click on the Rule in the...

• Also known as: Dangerous Goods Rule
• Reference: Rule 45001/1
• Author: Land Transport NZ

This Rules sets requirements for the safe transport of dangerous goods on land in New Zealand.

The Rule is available in two electronic formats:

• HTML (click on the Rule in the browse section/chapter menu)
• PDF (click on the Rule in the download box, you will need to have a PDF reader such as

• Also known as: Door Retention Systems Rule
• Reference: Rule 32001/1
• Author: Land Transport NZ, Land Transport Safety Authority

This Rule covers the design, construction and maintenance of door retention systems used by passengers and drivers for entrance and exit.

The Rule is available in two electronic formats:

• HTML (click on the Rule in the browse section/chapter menu)
• PDF (click on the Rule in the download box, you will need to have a PDF reader...

• Also known as: External Projections Rule
• Reference: Rule 32008/1
• Author: Land Transport NZ, Land Transport Safety Authority

The Rule requires that external projections on vehicles be designed and maintained with due regard to the safety of other motor vehicles, and the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.

The Rule is available in two electronic formats:

• HTML (click on the Rule in the browse section/chapter menu)
• PDF (click on the Rule in the download...

• Also known as: Frontal Impact Rule
• Reference: Rule 32006/1
• Author: Land Transport NZ, Land Transport Safety Authority

This Rule sets requirements aimed at protecting vehicle occupants in a frontal impact crash.

The Rule is available in two electronic formats:

• HTML (click on the Rule in the browse section/chapter menu)
• PDF (click on the Rule in the download box, you will need to have a PDF reader such as

• Also known as: Fuel Consumption Rule
• Reference: Rule 33020
• Author: NZ Transport Agency

Sets out requirements for the provision of fuel consumption information for light vehicles ( 3500 kg GVM or less) that enter the New Zealand fleet and are manufactured on or after 1 January 2000.

The Rule is available in two electronic formats:

• HTML (click on the Rule in the browse section/chapter menu)
• PDF (click on the Rule...

• Also known as: Glazing Rule
• Reference: Rule 32012/1
• Author: Land Transport NZ, Land Transport Safety Authority

This Rule establishes minimum safety levels for vehicle glazing. It also sets out requirements for windscreen wipe systems and windscreen wash systems, and for rear-view mirrors.

The Rule is available in two electronic formats:

• HTML (click on the Rule in the browse section/chapter menu)
• PDF (click on the Rule in the download...

• Also known as: Head Restraints Rule
• Reference: Rule 32010/1
• Author: Land Transport NZ

The Rule requires that, if head restraints are fitted to motor vehicles, they must be designed and maintained to protect the occupants’ heads and necks against whiplash injury in a crash.

The Rule is available in two electronic formats:

• HTML (click on the Rule in the browse section/chapter menu)
• PDF (click on the Rule in...

• Also known as: Heavy Vehicles Brakes Rule
• Reference: Rule 32015
• Author: Land Transport NZ

This Rule sets out requirements to ensure that heavy vehicles and heavy-vehicle combinations (over 3500 kg GVM) can brake safely, with balanced brake performance, at any road-legal load condition.

The Rule is available in two electronic formats:

• HTML (click on the Rule in the browse section/chapter menu)
• PDF (click on the Rule...

• Also known as: Heavy Vehicles Rule
• Reference: Rule 31002
• Author: Land Transport NZ

This Rule sets out requirements and standards for heavy vehicle safety. It applies to vehicles with a gross vehicle mass of more than 3500 kg.

The Rule is available in two electronic formats:

• HTML (click on the Rule in the browse section/chapter menu)
• PDF (click on the Rule in the download box, you will need to have a PDF reader...

• Also known as: Interior Impact Rule
• Reference: Rule 32002/1
• Author: Land Transport Safety Authority, Land Transport NZ

This Rule covers the design, construction and maintenance of interior fittings in motor vehicles.

The Rule is available in PDF format (click on the Rule in the download box, you will need to have a PDF reader such as Adobe Reader.)

(Note: The 'Consolidation' version brings together the Rule and...

• Also known as: Light-vehicle Brakes Rule
• Reference: Rule 32014
• Author: Land Transport NZ, Land Transport Safety Authority

This Rule specifies the types of brakes that must be fitted in most types of light vehicle, and the requirements for those brakes.

The Rule is available in two electronic formats:

• HTML (click on the Rule in the browse section/chapter menu)
• PDF (click on the Rule in the download box, you will need to have a PDF reader such as

• Also known as: Operator Licensing Rule
• Reference: Rule 81001
• Author: Land Transport NZ

Sets out requirements for obtaining and retaining a licence to operate a passenger, rental, vehicle recovery, or goods service. Also requirements that apply to transport service drivers, ‘dial-a-driver’ service drivers, hirers of rental service vehicles, and approved taxi organisations.

The Rule is available in two electronic formats:

• Reference: Rule 81002 (not in force)
• Author: Land Transport NZ

This Rule sets out the key aspects of the operator rating system. The rating of operators will allow NZ Transport Agency compliance units, and Police enforcement units, to focus on operators of vehicles covered by the Rule.

The Rule is available in two electronic formats:

• HTML (click on the Rule in the browse section/chapter menu)

• Also known as: Passenger Service Vehicles Rule or PSV Rule
• Reference: Rule 31001
• Author: Land Transport NZ, Land Transport Safety Authority, Ministry of Transport

Specifies the legal requirements for the design and construction of all passenger service vehicles in New Zealand. Includes privately owned and operated vehicles that have more than 12 seats or that are heavy motor vehicles with more than nine seats.

The Rule is available in two electronic formats:

• HTML (click on the Rule in the browse...

• Also known as: Seatbelt and Seatbelt Anchorages Rule or Seatbelt Rule
• Reference: Rule 32011
• Author: Land Transport NZ, Land Transport Safety Authority

This Rule states in which seating positions seatbelts must be fitted in vehicles, as well as the type of seatbelt that must be fitted.

The Rule is available in two electronic formats:

• HTML (click on the Rule in the browse section/chapter menu)
• PDF (click on the Rule in the download box, you will need to have a PDF reader such as...

• Also known as: Seats and Seat Anchorages Rule
• Reference: Rule 32004
• Author: Land Transport NZ, Land Transport Safety Authority

This Rule covers the design, construction and maintenance of seats and seat anchorages.

The Rule is available in two electronic formats:

• HTML (click on the Rule in the browse section/chapter menu)
• PDF (click on the Rule in the download box, you will need to have a PDF reader such as Adobe...

• Also known as: Setting of Speed Limits Rule or Speed Limits Rule
• Reference: Rule 54001
• Author: Land Transport Safety Authority

This Rule establishes procedures whereby road controlling authorities may set enforceable speed limits on roads within their jurisdictions.

The Rule is available in two electronic formats:

• HTML (click on the Rule in the browse section/chapter menu)
• PDF (click on the Rule in the download box, you will need to have a PDF reader...