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Road code

New Zealand road rules and safe driving tips

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Used car safety ratings 2007

How safe are cars in a crash?

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Publications and resources

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | K | L | M | N | O | P | R | S | T | V | W | Y

A

Agricultural vehicles guide
A guide for the safe and legal use of tractors, agricultural trailers and agricultural machines on New Zealand’s roads

Analysis of fatigue levels in New Zealand taxi and local-route drivers
This report documents the data and findings gathered from an initial sample of local-route truck drivers and taxi drivers in the Auckland, Waikato, and Bay of Plenty regions.

Annual reports

At a glance: an overview of land transport system performance in local authority areas.

The automotive LPG/CNG safety inspection guide [$30]
Inspection guide for vehicles that have these types of alternative fuel systems.

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B

Being roadsmart for school - best choices for our children

Briefing for the incoming Minister of Transport - 24 March 2006
The report on Land Transport New Zealand provided to Hon Annette King.

Briefing for the incoming Minister of Transport 2005 - post election 19 October 2005
The report on Land Transport New Zealand provided to Hon David Parker.

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C

Certificate of law & knowledge handbook
A handbook for people who wish to become transport operators and for the transport service industry. Everyone who wants to get a Transport Service Licence needs a Certificate of Knowledge of Law and Practice. This handbook contains basic information on all laws and practices that people need to know to get the Certificate.

Certificate of responsibility (PDF, 53 KB)
From 1 October 2007 when a vehicle is borrowed by a transport service operator for use under their transport service licence, the vehicle owner must obtain a certificate of responsibility from the borrower and retain it for 12 months or more. 

Changing the way we drive
The road safety advertising campaign.

CoF news
Certificate of fitness news and information from the Driver and Vehicle Certification Unit.

Community focused land transport activities funding process 2007/08 - Handbook 1, October 2006
Community focused land transport activities funding process 2007/08 - Handbook 2, March 2007
A handbook to assist approved organisations apply for 2007/08 funding for community focused land transport activities.

Competitive pricing procedures - volume 1
Physical works and professional services

Competitive pricing procedures - volume 2
Public passenger transport

Corporate profile
Who we are, what we do and how we work.

Crash analysis system (CAS) - a crash analysis tool, 2003

Crash analysis system (CAS) - training workbook (version 4.0), August 2005

Crash facts
An annual statistical publication by topic: motorcycles, young drivers, alcohol. (These are now published by the Ministry of Transport, and are available on the Ministry's website.)

Crash locations
A New Zealand guide to the treatment of crash locations - December 2004

Crash reduction study monitoring reports

Crash reduction monitoring system coding manual: the purpose of this manual is to provide guidance on completing the crash reduction monitoring system coding forms.

Cycle counting in New Zealand
Information about various types of cycle traffic counting, including continuous, automatic and manual counts.

Cycle network and route planning guide [$20]
This guide aims to promote a consistent approach to planning the provision for cycling in New Zealand.

Cyclist skills training
A guide and newsletter for the set-up and delivery of cyclist training in New Zealand

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D

Dealer network news
A six monthly publication sent out to motor vehicle dealers by the Transport Registry Centre. (Available from the Transport Registry Centre)

Down with speed : a review of the literature and the impact of speed on New Zealanders (PDF, 1.1 MB, 82 pages)
From ACC's website. This document provides a substantial research base to New Zealand’s consideration of speeding as a safety issue, and the sorts of strategies that can be employed to reduce speed. It draws conclusions based on research and on injury prevention principles, and is the key resource for ACC’s Down With Speed Programme.

Driving hours and logbooks review LTSA preferred policy proposal, December 2000
This document outlines the preferred policy proposals of the Land Transport Safety Authority (LTSA) arising from its review of the current driving hours and logbooks regime.

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E

Economic evaluation manual - volume 1

Economic evaluation manual - volume 2

F

Factsheets

Fleet manager's guide to new car safety, 1997
Explains the benefits of safer cars for an organisation and describes the features, systems and standards that contribute to car safety.

Funding manuals and procedures

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G

General circulars: General circulars are used by Land Transport NZ (formerly by Transfund) to directly advise road controlling authorities and regional councils about relevant policy or programme management updates, or to communicate recent Board decisions.

Get your lights right, February 2005
What you need to know about fitting and using additional vehicle lighting.

Give way activity cards [$15 per set]
A set of 25 cards used to teach give way rules. Each card has an illustration on the front of the card and a question and the correct answer (in both English and Maori) on the back.

Glovebox guide to safe loading and towing, February 2005
This guide contains detailed advice on loading and towing practices to keep you within the law and protect you, your goods and others on the road.

Guidance for vehicle inspectors when inspecting vehicles for clearly visible smoke
Booklet for vehicle certifiers offering guidance on how to inspect vehicles for clearly visible smoke.

Guide to the On-road safety test, October 2006
Is intended only for those who are referred by their doctor for an On-Road Safety Test. Anyone booking an On-road Safety Test can obtain a copy.

Guidelines - 2008/09 land transport programmes: These guidelines apply to all approved organisations for the preparation of their 2008/09 land transport programmes (LTPs). The guidelines for 2007/08 are also still available.

Guidelines for marking multi-lane roundabouts, September 2005
The purpose of these guidelines is to assist designers in providing the most appropriate pavement markings for existing and proposed multi-lane roundabouts in New Zealand.

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H

Heavy motor vehicle safety inspection guide (CoF)
[$30 incl. Receiving ongoing updates]
Inspection guide for vehicles with a gross vehicle mass of more than 3500kg and passenger service vehicles.

Heavy vehicle brake code [$20]
A guide for approved certifiers to ensure braking balance within a vehicle combination. Currently only applicable to vehicle combinations of a gross combined mass of between 39 and 44 tonnes.

Heavy vehicle selection guide
This guide is designed to help you, as a heavy vehicle purchaser, choose the right vehicle to improve your business's efficiency, safety and ultimately - profitability.

Heavy vehicle stability guide
This guide provides information on heavy vehicle stability issues and suggests techniques for minimising the risks of rollover and loss of control crashes.

Heavy vehicle stability versus crash rates, 1999
This report examines and compares performance measures for the New Zealand Heavy Vehicle Fleet with those involved in crashes classified as rollover or loss of control.

Heavy vehicle visibility code
The Code encourages operators of heavy vehicles to outline their trucks and trailers with highly reflective "conspicuity"tape. The Code tells operators how to choose approved tape, where to attach it on there vehicles and what colour to use.

Hire standards
Upcoming law changes for taxi, shuttle, dial-a-driver and private hire services.

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I

Important information for drivers of heavy vehicles eg bus, truck or large campervan
A flyer to advise drivers of heavy vehicles of their speed limit and provide safe driving tips.

Infocards
A toolkit of infocards containing important information for commercial road transport drivers and operators.

Infosheets
Infosheets contain up to date and very specific technical information for organisations in the vehicle industry.

Ins and outs of roundabouts
This booklet draws attention to those elements of the design and construction of roundabouts that safety auditors have frequently found to be deficient, and to present some solutions commonly applied to address these deficiencies.

Is your log load safely secured?
This one page brochure was designed for professional log truck drivers. It summarises seven rules from the Truck Loading Code to ensure a log load is safely secured.

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K

Keep left stickers (PDF, 23 KB)
A4 sheets available in three sizes

  • 80x40mm - 12 labels per sheet
  • 60x30mm - 24 labels per sheet
  • 40x20mm - 40 labels per sheet

Keeping mobile, January 2007
How to use your mobility scooter or power chair safely.

Keeping moving, October 2006
Explains the new licence renewal system, and encourages regular self-assessment to identify and address issues which may affect driving and advises on other ways to help maintain independence.

Keep your trailer in tow!, February 2005

L

Land Transport New Zealand corporate profile

Land Transport NZ Stakeholder Survey 2005/2006

Land transport news
Monthly newsletter.

Land transport research
Quarterly newsletter.

Land Transport Rules
Delegated legislation.

Loading and towing safely - February 2005
Information about the safe loading and securing of loads carried by light vehicles.

Load pilot driver code - February 2004
Prepared for people wanting to be Class 2 certified load pilot drivers.

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M

Managing road safety and efficiency under the Resource Management Act 1991: The way forward. Best practice guideline, March 2007
A best practice guideline designed to assist councils and developers in their roles under the Resource Management Act. It addresses typical road safety and efficiency issues associated with land-based development.

Medical aspects of fitness to drive , May 2002
The guidance outlined in Medical Aspects of Fitness to Drive is for medical practitioners and other key health professionals who assess fitness to drive. It is important that individuals with any issues or concerns regarding their own fitness to drive discuss this with their medical practitioner or appropriate health professional.

Mini bus code (PDF, 23 KB, 9 pages) and Vehicle Log (PDF, 5 KB, 2 pages)
The intention of this code of practice is to set minimum standards and a model for preferred practice. It is not meant to inhibit those who would prefer to exceed these standards by following those of the manufacturer, or those of their own organisation which may be of a higher level.

Modifying your vehicle
If you are thinking about modifying, customising or re-tuning your car, do it properly – it might cost you a bit extra, but if you don't do it the right way it could cost you your life.

Monitoring changes in the passenger transport industry
Surveys and working papers.

Motor vehicle crashes in New Zealand (formerly Motor accidents in New Zealand) (These are now published by the Ministry of Transport, and are available on the Ministry's website.)

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N

National land transport programme (NLTP) 2008/09

National land transport programme guidelines - 2008/09 land transport programmes
These guidelines apply to all approved organisations for the preparation of their 2008/09 land transport programmes (LTPs). The guidelines for 2007/08 are also still available.

Neighbourhood accessibility plans: Information for local authorities planning or starting projects

Neighbourhood accessibility plans: Operational policy

Network statistics
The Network statistics publication supports the annual report. It records physical statistics, works completed, expenditure details and roughness data on local roads and state highways for 12-month periods of the National Land Transport Programme ending 30 June.

New resident drivers: An overview of New Zealand's road rules and behaviours

New Zealand guide to the treatment of crash locations, December 2004
A companion document to the Austroads Guide to traffic engineering practice. Part 4. Treatment of crash locations.

New Zealand motor vehicle registration statistics
Annual motor vehicle registration statistics.
(Available free of charge online. Some years' back issues are also available as booklets.)

New Zealand on-road tracking curves [$20]
The most up-to-date version of on-road tracking curves and a guideline for the designers of roads and intersections.
(Available from Land Transport NZ regional offices)

New Zealand pedestrian profile, November 2000
An overview of pedestrian activity and injury in New Zealand.

New Zealand road safety programme guidelines 2004/2005

New Zealand road safety programme (NZRSP)
The primary annual funding document for road safety activity undertaken by the NZ Police, LTSA and community groups. The NZRSP details specific projects, their objectives and the performance measures against which their delivery will be assessed.

New Zealand road safety research
A listing of road safety research projects being undertaken in New Zealand. (This is now published by the Ministry of Transport, and is available on the Ministry's website.)

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O

The official New Zealand road code, and Licence and study guide for car drivers [$24.95]
Covers the most important points of New Zealand traffic law, and also explains key safe driving practices. (Available from all leading book stores.)

The official New Zealand road code and licence guide for motorcyclists [$24.95]
Gives you helpful information on becoming a safe and courteous rider. It has been written for your benefit by expert motorcycle riders with many years of riding experience. (Available from all leading book stores.)

The official New Zealand road code and licence guide for heavy vehicle drivers [$24.95]
Covers changes to commercial codes and licensing procedures. (Available from all leading book stores.)

Overdimension vehicle operation

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P

Participation in land use and transport planning process
Sets out Land Transport New Zealand's policy for participating in land use and transport planning processes.

Pedestrian planning and design guide - This guide sets out ways to improve New Zealand’s walking environment. It outlines a process for deciding on the type of provision that should be made for pedestrians and provides design advice and standards. A set of accompanying resources is also provided.

Profile of the heavy vehicle fleet; Update 2004
Provides a detailed description of the NZ heavy vehicle fleet.

Programme and funding manual

Progress and promise: reflections on road safety in New Zealand, November 2003
Published to mark the LTSA's 10th anniversary. Looks back at the progress made over the last decade, assesses where we stand now and asks what more can be done to reduce deaths and injuries in the years ahead.

Promoting community focused sustainable transport projects
Resource with ideas for councils that want to develop local sustainability-related activities and projects in their communities.

Public attitudes to road safety surveys
The New Zealand Public Attitudes Survey has been undertaken periodically since 1974, and annually since 1994, to evaluate attitudes to road safety issues, primarily alcohol-impaired driving and speed. (This is now published by the Ministry of Transport, and is available on the Ministry's website.)

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R

Rail newsletter

Rail safety licensing and safety assessment guidelines
Key guidelines relating to the safety management of railways and tramways in New Zealand.

RAMM road condition rating and roughness manual

Regional land transport strategy guidelines
These guidelines are intended for internal use by Land Transport NZ staff when reviewing regional land transport strategies, but others may find them helpful.

Regional road safety issues reports
Regional road safety issues reports are prepared annually by Land Transport NZ's regional offices, based on reported crash data and trends.

Renewing your driver licence
Brochure included in licence renewal packs for drivers aged 75 and over whose licences expire on or after 4 December 2006.

Report on the heavy vehicle national brake survey (1998)
Braking issues on heavy vehicles

Research reports
Results of completed research funded by Land Transport NZ

RightCar pamphlet

Review of the safety (administration) programme
Report to the National Road Safety Committee containing recommendations for change to the S(A)P process.

Review of the South Island rail coal route (June 2004)

Road and traffic standards information sheets
Provide information on current New Zealand Road and Traffic standards. Now produced as Traffic Notes.

Road and traffic standards series [$10 each]

Road assets
Information on the condition and costs of maintaining territorial authority roads.

Road code

Road safety atlas (1997)
A companion document to Safety Directions, the Atlas presents in map and tabular form descriptive data for Regional and Territorial Authorities. It also contains safety rankings for each Local Authority based on overall risk and risk by causal factor. This information assists the reader to compare road safety performance within and between Local Government Regions.

Road safety audit procedures for projects

Road safety calendar 2007/08 (PDF, 135KB)

Road safety issues reports (Annual)
Highlights of key road safety issues for each territorial local authority and Transit region. The reports Identify possible ways to reduce the number of road deaths and injuries.

Road safety research - now and in the future
Sets out the national priorities for research over the next 3-4 years.

Road safety strategy 2010, 2003
The key strategic document for road safety in New Zealand.

Road safety survey series [$10 each]
The results of national surveys carried out by LTSA on the implementation of various Traffic Standards and Guidelines.

Road signs and markings for railway level crossings (PDF, 368 KB)
This guideline document relates to the provision of new standard road signs and markings on the approaches to and at railway level crossings on New Zealand roads.
(For copies forward your request with a payment of $10.00 to: Publications, Land Transport New Zealand, PO Box 2840, Wellington.)

Road user charges
This document includes detailed instructions for purchasing and calculating the charges payable for individual vehicles. It explains the main requirements of the Road User Charges Act 1977 and describes the administrative procedures to be followed. (Hard copies: enquiries to the Transport Registry Centre 0800 655 644.)

Roadside inspection guidelines for heavy vehicles
This document provides guidelines on walk around heavy vehicle inspections. The diagrams outline what the walk-around inspections will cover. (Hard copies: enquiries to the Transport Registry Centre 0800 655 644)

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S

Safety Administration Programme 2005/06

Safety and the school bus
School bus safety brochure for children and their parents/caregivers.

Safety directions
The 1995/96 publication takes the NRSP themes and extends them to a national framework of programme areas and foci. It also summarises the country’s road safety performance and contains a ’safety inventory’ of projects for that year. The second edition repeats the national framework and provides a mechanism for analysing road safety in New Zealand, using social costs as a basis.

School traffic safety team manual
Training manual to assist School Traffic Safety Teams maintain their outstanding safety record.

School travel plan coordinator's guide
A school travel plan brings together a package of measures that aim to reduce the congestion caused by the 'school run', reduce traffic danger and support students already travelling by more sustainable modes.

Share the road
This publication contains a list of existing share the road resources and projects and outlines new ideas to promote good practice share the road projects. It is envisaged that this resource will be a reference document to help practitioners motivate and encourage community groups and project teams to plan good practice promotional projects to address issues identified for action in their communities.

Speed limits New Zealand
Guidelines for setting speed limits and procedures for calculating speed limits.

Stakeholder surveys

Standards and guidelines survey (PDF, 83 KB, 12 pages)

Standards and guidelines manual

Statement of intent
Each statement of intent sets out Land Transport NZ's philosophy and course of action for three years.

Stats (Formerly road deaths)
A monthly update of road crash data.

Stop and goes of traffic signals, December 2006
This booklet describes how the safety and/or effectiveness of traffic signals could be improved. It draws attention to those elements of traffic signals that auditors have frequently found to compromise safety and/or efficiency and to present ways in which these deficiencies could be addressed.

Supporting older drivers, October 2006
Is aimed at family and friends of older drivers - it looks at ways to assist and support older friends and family members in remaining independently mobile by whatever means they choose.

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T

Traffic control devices manual
A 22-part online manual providing guidance on industry good practice for road engineers, road controlling authorities and manufacturers.

Traffic crash reports
An illustrated guide on what traffic crash reports are, how they are used and how to complete them. Mainly for use by Police officers but also used by other organisations.

Traffic notes
Traffic notes are distributed to people/organisations in industry that have an interest in designing, building and managing roads in New Zealand.

Training requirements for overdimension load pilots
This document summarises the training requirements for pilots of oversize loads, set out in the Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass (the Rule).

Tranz rail infrastructure review, stage 1 interim report
This report presents the interim findings of Stage 1 of a review for the New Zealand Land Transport Safety Authority (LTSA) of the change in infrastructure maintenance by Tranz Rail to an alliance contract undertaken by Transfield.

Tranz rail infrastructure review, stage 2 report
This report presents the findings of Stage 2 of a review for the New Zealand Land Transport Safety Authority (LTSA) on infrastructure management and maintenance by Tranz Rail Ltd.

Travel survey highlights
This highlights booklet presents results compiled from the large number of tables and graphs which appear in the principal document, the New Zealand Travel Survey Report. (This is now published by the Ministry of Transport, and is available on the Ministry's website.)

Truck loading code [$14.95]
Code of practice for the safety of loads and load security on heavy vehicles, for heavy transport operators. Includes both general and specialised requirements. (Available from all good book sellers)

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V

Vehicle inspection requirements manual (VIRM): Entry certification
Land Transport NZ has prepared this manual to assist vehicle inspectors and inspecting organisations in achieving correct and consistent standards for the pre-registration, inspection and certification of vehicles entering service in New Zealand.

Vehicle inspection requirements manual (VIRM): Heavy vehicle specialist certification (PDF, 1 MB)
Land Transport NZ has prepared this document to help heavy vehicle specialist inspectors and inspecting organisations (heavy vehicle certifiers) achieve correct and consistent certification of heavy vehicles.

Vehicle inspection requirements manual (VIRM): In-service certification
This document has been prepared by Land Transport New Zealand for the use of vehicle inspectors and inspecting organisations to aid in achieving correct and consistent standards of in service inspection and certification (WoF & CoF)

Vehicle inspection requirements manual (VIRM): In-service certification - WoF-only
The sections of the In-service VIRM (above) concerning warrants of fitness (WoF), without the information that's specific to certificates of fitness (CoF).

Vehicle inspection requirements manual (VIRM): Light vehicle repair certification (PDF, 972 KB)
Land Transport New Zealand (Land Transport NZ) prepared this manual to assist light-vehicle repair certifiers in achieving correct and consistent standards of repair inspection and certification.

Vehicle simulation results: vehicle dimension and mass rule 41001 (PDF, 337 KB)
The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether the requirements proposed for the Yellow Draft of the Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Rule 41001 (VDM) would result in safe vehicles in terms of their stability.

Vehicle standards: what makes car safety tick
This provides an overview of Standards and their role in vehicle safety.

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W

Walking map tool box
The walking map tool box shows you how to design, produce and promote a walking map that’s relevant to a particular school and its community. It can make your walks safer, quicker and more interesting, and help to promote walking as a healthy and sustainable means of transport.

The walking school bus resource kit
Walking school bus information and resources for parents/caregivers, teachers, Road Safety Coordinators, travel planners, and others who work in schools. (Please note there is a maximum order limit of 5 kits.)
The kit contains:

Welding in the transport industry
Outlines the LTSA's expectations of engineers, fabricators and others involved in heavy motor vehicle construction and repair.

We're sorry we failed your safety belts but here's why
This leaflet explains the dangers associated with common types of safety belt wear and tear, including fraying, fading, damaged buckles and faulty retractors. It also explains the benefits of replacing damaged belts and provides information on the different types of replacement belts available.

What you need to know about owning a 4WD
Provides safety advice for owners of 4WD recreational vehicles. Copies can be requested from info@landtransport.govt.nz

What's different about driving in New Zealand
Summary of our road rules, advice for visitors and new residents and links to more information

Who we are
Land Transport New Zealand's corporate profile

WoF news
Warrant of fitness news and information from the Driver and Vehicle Certification Unit.

Working with Land Transport NZ
A guide for holders of transport service licences and approved taxi organisations in New Zealand

Workplace travel plan coordinator's guidelines
A guide to help you get a travel plan underway in your organisation.

Work time and logbooks - New requirements for the commercial transport industry
Handbook explaining the new work time and logbook requirements for commercial drivers, that are being
introduced from 1 October 2007.

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Y

The year ahead - 2007/08 (PDF, 565 KB)
What Land Transport New Zealand is doing in the year 2007/08, including some of the ways we're working to encourage safe and sustainable use of land transport.

Your guide to modification and customisation
Provides safety advice for car owners wishing to modify their vehicles.

Your guide to understanding new safety technology in cars (2003)
A guide to understanding new safety technology in cars which outlines active and passive safety features of today's vehicles.

Your safe driving policy, August 2007
This booklet tells you in detail why you need a safe driving policy and how to set one up.

Your vehicle has failed a warrant of fitness because of a noisy exhaust
This pamphlet tells you about noise emissions in regard to a warrant of fitness and what to do if your vehicle fails a warrant of fitness because it does not meet noise emission requirements. Also available as PDF (64 KB)

Your vehicle failed a smoky exhaust test
This booklet tells you what to do if your vehicle fails an exhaust emissions test as part of its warrant of fitness or certificate of fitness inspection. Also available as PDF (71 KB)

Last updated: 18 July 2008