Updates to the Road code
This page lists any updates to The official New Zealand road code, The official New Zealand road code for heavy vehicle drivers and The official New Zealand road code for motorcyclists since the last published edition. These changes will usually have been caused by a legislation change.
- The official New Zealand road code
- The official New Zealand road code for heavy vehicle drivers
- The official New Zealand road code for motorcyclists
The official New Zealand road code
The official New Zealand road code: Licence and study guide, page 151
The picture that accompanies question 193 of the general questions has been incorrectly printed. It should be:
The official New Zealand road code for heavy vehicle drivers
The official New Zealand road code for heavy vehicle drivers: re-worded test questions – August 2008
Note: The following questions are the newly re-worded questions that now appear in the test papers. They differ slightly from those set out in the 2008 edition of The official New Zealand road code for heavy vehicle drivers. The answers to all these re-worded test questions can be found in the 2008 edition.
Class 2 Questions
- What is the maximum distance a vehicle or its load may extend forward from the front edge of the driver’s seat in its rearmost position?
- What is the maximum speed limit for a heavy motor vehicle, other than a school bus?
- From what distance must the rear red light of a heavy goods service vehicle be visible?
- Providing a manufacturer’s tyre and axle ratings permit, what is the maximum weight allowed on a single standard-tyred axle?
Class 3 Questions
- From what distance must the rear red light of a heavy goods service vehicle be visible?
2008 edition
The official New Zealand road code for heavy vehicle drivers: Licence and study guide, page 160
Add the following note.
Note: you should also be familiar with the Class 2 questions, as some of them will be asked in your test.
The following changes relate to the 2007 edition of The official New Zealand road code for heavy vehicle drivers. They have been incorporated into the 2008 edition.
The official New Zealand road code for heavy vehicle drivers, page 55
Under the heading 'Breakdowns on motorways', add the following bulletpoint:
- if appropriate, lift up the bonnet, boot or cab and, if possible, hang something white on the driver's door - this will show you need help
The official New Zealand road code for heavy vehicle drivers: Licence and study guide, page 49
Under the heading 'Goods service', from 1 October 2007, remove the second bulletpoint.
The official New Zealand road code for heavy vehicle drivers: Licence and study guide, page 50
From 1 October 2007, the fifth bulletpoint should read:
- any service specified as exempt in the Land Transport Act 1998 or in any regulations or Rule made under that Act.
The official New Zealand road code for heavy vehicle drivers: Licence and study guide, page 56
Under the heading 'Transport service licence', from 1 October 2007, the paragraph below should read as follows:
A goods service licence, passenger service licence, rental service licence or vehicle recovery service licence, granted or deemed to be granted under part 4A of the Land Transport Act 1998.
The official New Zealand road code for heavy vehicle drivers: Licence and study guide, pages 84-89
The following change comes into effect from 1 October 2007.
Work time and logbooks
Driver fatigue is a major cause of fatal crashes and commercial heavy vehicle drivers are at particular risk. That's why most commercial drivers are required by law to limit total hours worked, take regular breaks and keep records in the form of logbooks.
Work time requirements
Work time applies to anyone legally required to manage driving hours, including transport service operators and drivers, organisations that employ or contract drivers and transport logistics companies.
Work time is time spent performing work-related duties, including driving vehicles, loading and unloading vehicles, maintaining and cleaning vehicles, administration or recording and any other paid employment.
In general*, drivers must take a break of at least 30 minutes after 5 1/2 hours of work time - no matter what type of work takes place during that period.
* Because taxi drivers' work typically involves 'unofficial' periods of rest while waiting for a fare, in most cases taxi drivers can work for 7 hours before taking a break of at least 30 minutes.
After 13 hours
In any 'cumulative work day' (legally defined as no more than 24 hours) drivers can work a maximum of 13 hours and must then take a break of at least 10 hours (as well as the standard half-hour breaks required every 5 1/2 hours).
Below is an example of how this might work if you worked the maximum number of hours allowed each cumulative work day.
Example of a cumulative work day
After 70 hours
Drivers can accumulate work time of up to 70 hours before they must take a break of at least 24 hours. The time between one 24-hour break and the next is legally described as a 'cumulative work period'. A cumulative work period will be made up of a collection of cumulative work days, where drivers have taken the necessary breaks to meet their work time requirements.
Chain of responsibility
If you employ or control drivers who are subject to work time requirements and you knew, or should have known, that a driver under your control did, or was likely to, breach work time provisions, you could face fines of up to $25,000 if convicted.
Delays due to unforeseen circumstances
Special provisions cover situations where drivers are prevented from completing their journey within work time limits due to an unforeseen situation or an emergency.
Three situations are specified as emergency events:
- a civil defence emergency
- an incident attended by an emergency service
- urgent action to save life or prevent injury.
If you are delayed due to unforeseen circumstances, this must be recorded in your logbook (see page 87 of The official New Zealand road code for heavy vehicle drivers: Licence and study guide for more information).
Emergency and essential drivers
The law allows emergency and essential service workers to exceed work time limits in some circumstances. In addition, volunteer fire fighters and volunteer ambulance drivers are not subject to work time limits when they undertake priority calls. For more information, see the Land Transport NZ publication Work time and logbooks (PDF, 976 KB) or check the Land Transport Rule: Work Time and Logbooks 2007.
Logbook requirements
Logbooks provide a written record of your work time hours and can be checked to confirm you are meeting work time requirements.
You must produce your logbook for an enforcement officer to inspect, if requested.
How do I fill in the logbook form?
When you are filling in a new logbook form, you need to complete:
- your name
- the date the logbook page starts on
- the registration number of the vehicle and the start and finish distance recorder readings (if the vehicle you are driving is subject to road user charges)
- the start and finish times and the location for all your work time hours
- the start and finish times for all your rest breaks and where you took them.
If you are using the general logbook form, then you also need to complete the activity grid.
Logbook entries are required for the period between one 24-hour break and the next (cumulative work period - up to 70 hours of work time).
If you experience a delay that causes or is likely to cause the work time limits for a cumulative work day or cumulative work period to be exceeded, you need to note the event and the length of the delay in your logbook. (This can then be produced in your defence should you be prosecuted for exceeding work time limits.)
Logbook exemptions
Some drivers are exempt from keeping logbooks (these drivers must still meet work time requirements), eg drivers of vehicles operated by the armed services, police, fire or ambulance services, vehicle recovery services, urban bus services. For more information, see the Land Transport NZ publication Work time and logbooks (PDF, 976 KB) or check the Land Transport Rule: Work Time and Logbooks 2007.
Driver responsibilities
Drivers must:
- keep only one logbook at a time
- ensure information recorded is complete, correct and readable
- make sure your employer receives the 'record' copy of your logbook entry within 14 days of completing a cumulative work period
- retain the logbook for at least 12 months after the date of the last entry.
Employer responsibilities
Employers must:
- retain copies of logbook records for at least 12 months after the record was made
- ensure that drivers meet their responsibilities as outlined above.
If you employ drivers, or are an owner-operator, you are also required to keep fuel and accommodation receipts that can be produced on demand by an enforcement officer. You are also required to keep a range of employment records. Visit www.landtransport.govt.nz/commercial for more information.
What happens if I don't meet the requirements?
If a driver fails to produce a logbook to an enforcement officer on demand, they could face a maximum fine of $2000. They will also incur 35 demerit points on their personal driver licence.
An employer who does not take reasonable steps to ensure drivers comply with their legal responsibilities or appropriate action to remedy omissions or false entries can be fined up to $25,000.
The official New Zealand road code for heavy vehicle drivers: Licence and study guide, page 151-156
The following questions for the specialist questions for the Class 2 learner licence theory test will change from 1 October 2007. The answers to these new questions can be found in the updated text above about work time and logbooks.
- If a driver (other than a taxi driver) is subject to work time requirements, what is the maximum continuous period of work time allowed before a minimum 1/2 hour break is required?
A 3 1/2 hours.
B 4 1/2 hours.
C 5 1/2 hours.
D 6 1/2 hours. - If a driver is subject to work time requirements, what is the maximum period of work time permitted in any cumulative work day?
A 10 hours.
B 11 hours.
C 12 hours.
D 13 hours. - If a driver is subject to work time requirements, what is the maximum period of work time permitted in any cumulative work period?
A 50 hours.
B 60 hours.
C 70 hours.
D 80 hours. - If a driver is subject to work time requirements, what is the minimum continuous rest time to be taken before a new cumulative work period commences?
A 12 hours.
B 15 hours.
C 20 hours.
D 24 hours.
- If a driver is subject to work time requirements, what is the minimum continuous period of rest time that must be taken before commencing a new cumulative work day?
A 8 hours.
B 9 hours.
C 10 hours.
D 12 hours.
- After 5 1/2 hours of continuous work time, what is the minimum rest time required?
A 1/4 hour.
B 1/2 hour.
C 3/4 hour.
D 1 hour.
- You are employed as a driver. Within what period of time must you deliver a copy of each completed logbook record to your employer?
A 5 days.
B 7 days.
C 10 days.
D 14 days.
- You are a driver (other than a taxi driver) and your work time starts at 7.00 am. What is the latest time that you must take a rest break?
A 11.00 am.
B 11.30 am.
C 12.00 pm.
D 12.30 pm. - For how long after the date of the last entry must a driver retain their logbook?
A 3 months.
B 6 months.
C 12 months.
D 18 months.
- A driver who is required to use a logbook must maintain:
A only one logbook at a time.
B a logbook for themselves and one for their employer.
C a logbook for each vehicle driven.
D separate logbooks for hours worked and distances travelled.
The official New Zealand road code for heavy vehicle drivers: Licence and study guide, page 171
Specialist questions for Class 2:
- the page reference for the answer to question 3 should be 61*
- the page reference for the answer to question 43 should be 61*.
The official New Zealand road code for motorcyclists
The official New Zealand road code for motorcyclists, page 55
Under the heading 'Breakdowns on motorways', the third bulletpoint should read:
- if you don't have a mobile phone and it isn't safe to walk to a telephone, take off your helmet and stand or sit beside the motorcycle - this will show you need help (just as you would lift the bonnet and boot if your car had broken down)
Last updated: 2 September 2008