Resources & manuals

• Author: NZ Transport Agency

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

• Also known as: Traction Engines Rule
• Reference: Rule 63001
• Author: NZ Transport Agency

Sets out the requirements for the safety certification of traction engines and the qualifications required for users of traction engines.

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...

• 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: Vehicle Exhaust Emissions Rule or Emissions Rule
• Reference: Rule 33001
• Author: NZ Transport Agency

Aimed at achieving improvements in air quality by reducing the levels of harmful emissions from motor vehicles. The Rule applies to motor vehicles that are required to be certified for entry into, or operation in, service.

The Rule is available in two electronic formats:

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

• Reference: Rule 81002
• 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: 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:

• Also known as: Work Time and Logbooks Rule
• Reference: Rule 62001
• Author: Land Transport NZ

Sets out how the limits to the work time hours for a driver of a vehicle that requires a Class 2, 3, 4, or 5 licence, or is used in a transport service (other than a rental service), or carries goods for hire or reward, are to be administered.

The Rule is available in two electronic formats:

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

• 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: Dangerous Goods Rule
• Reference: Rule 45001
• 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: 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: 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: Vehicle Equipment Rule or the Equipment Rule
• Reference: Rule 32017
• Author: Land Transport NZ

Covers safety and maintenance requirements for equipment fitted to motor vehicles: warning devices, speedometers, sun visors, mudguards, footrests on motorcycles and mopeds, child restraints, televisions, fuel tanks and fuel lines.

The Rule is available in two electronic formats:

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

• Also known as: Traffic Control Devices Rule or TCD Rule
• Reference: Rule 54002
• Author: Land Transport NZ

Requirements for the design, construction, installation, operation and maintenance of traffic control devices, and functions and responsibilities of road controlling authorities.

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: Vehicle Lighting Rule or Lighting Rule
• Reference: Rule 32005
• Author: Land Transport NZ

Sets out standards and safety requirements for lighting equipment that is fitted to a vehicle (including a pedal cycle), to allow the vehicle to be operated safely and not endanger the safety of other road users.

The Rule is available in two electronic formats:

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

• 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...

• Also known as: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Rule or VDAM Rule
• Reference: Rule 41001
• Author: Land Transport Safety Authority

Requirements for dimension and mass limits to enable vehicles, in particular, heavy truck and trailer combinations, to be operated safely on New Zealand's roads.

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...

• 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: Frontal Impact Rule
• Reference: Rule 32006
• 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: 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: 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