Transport
Making rules less complex and confusing
Federated Farmers wants members to be able to use vehicles on the roads safely and without hassle. It has worked hard to lobby the regulators to make land transport rules less complex and confusing.
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.
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.
Email: kgeddes@fedfarm.org.nz for your Over Dimension Certificate.
Hassle at harvest
Another important issue Federated Famers is working on is the Work Time and Logbooks rule. This rule affects your ability to do farm work and drive on the road.
This can be a particular hassle during harvest periods. To address this problem we are seeking a rule change, but in the meantime we help members apply for a variation from Land Transport New Zealand. Contact wmcgimpsey@fedfarm.org.nz for assistance.
Keeping On The Right Side Of The Rules
Federated Farmers often holds provincial workshops to help members. "Keep left on the road and right with the rules" is a popular course. If you would like one in your local area contact your provincial president.
Increasing the driving age
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. Currently there is a Bill before the Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee which would increase the age at which a learner license could be obtained from 15 to 16.
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 age bracket one year older. 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.
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.
