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Criminal & traffic law

Enforcement powers of police and parking wardens

Unsafe vehicles and insecure loads

Driving an unsafe vehicle

Land Transport Act 1998, ss 6, 34; Land Transport (Offences and Penalties) Regulations 1999, Schedule 1

You must not drive an unsafe vehicle on the road. If you’re prosecuted and convicted in the courts, you can be fined up to $2,000.

You must also display a current warrant of fitness. If you don’t you can be given a $200 infringement notice (that is, an on-the-spot ticket), or if you’re prosecuted and convicted through the courts you can be fined up to $2,000.

Carrying an unsafe load

Land Transport Act 1998, ss 9, 42; Land Transport (Offences and Penalties) Regulations 1999, Schedule 1

You must make sure any load you’re carrying is secure and that it can’t fall or escape from your vehicle or trailer. Any person loading the vehicle has the same responsibility. You can be given a $600 infringement notice, or if you’re prosecuted through the courts you can be fined up to $2,000 and disqualified for a period decided by the judge.

Next Section | Drink/drug driving

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Driving and traffic law

Where to go for more support

Community Law

www.communitylaw.org.nz

Your local Community Law Centre can provide free initial legal advice and information.

Applying for a limited licence” (guide)

This Plain English guide, plus template application forms and affidavits, will help you apply for a limited licence. It’s available on the Community Law website – www.communitylaw.org.nz

New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA)

www.nzta.govt.nz

Phone: 0800 699 000
Email: info@nzta.govt.nz

The NZTA site provides a wide range of driving and road safety information, including on topics covered in this chapter.

You can read and download fact sheets and other publications from their site, or you can order hard copies by contacting them, including their fact-sheet on Legal mobile phone use while driving.

www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/Safety/docs/legal-mobile-phone-use-while-driving-fact-sheet-june-2020.pdf

NZ Police

Frequently Asked Questions

www.police.govt.nz/advice/faq

The “Driving/road safety” and “Tickets/infringements” section of this webpage have Frequently Asked Questions about traffic fines, speeding, demerit points and where you can pay your fines.

Consumer protection

“Parking, towing and clamping”

www.consumerprotection.govt.nz/help-product-service/cars/parking-clamping-towing

This Consumer Protection webpage has information about the law covering tow trucks and wheel-clamping on public and private property, and about unreasonable fees in private car parks.

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