Agency issues warrant advice

Warrant and certificate of fitness tests are now available at most inspection sites in regions under Covid-19 alert level three.

Waka Kotahi says WOFs and COFs that could not be renewed under level-four lockdown can be renewed at the lower alert level and there is no need to wait.

Nicole Botherway, senior manager – safer vehicles, says people should not delay booking in tests to ensure vehicles meet required safety standards and that they are driving legally.

“Sites will be following strict Covid-19 operating procedures and providing a contactless service,” she adds. 

“Vehicle owners can play their part by wearing a mask and ensuring their vehicle is clean and tidy and that all personal belongings are removed before they drop it off.

“As all vehicles are also legally required to display a current vehicle licence, Waka Kotahi will allow vehicle relicensing without a current WOF or COF for the time being. 

“We would not normally allow this as all vehicles must have a current vehicle inspection to receive a rego.

“But it is something we can do to assist Kiwis while access to inspection sites to obtain a WOF and COF is restricted to essential workers or is not possible at level four and may be limited at level three.

“This temporary solution worked well last year when lockdown made it impossible for motorists to relicence their vehicles online because they didn’t have a current WOF or COF, and we are happy to repeat it.”

Driver licensing and testing facilities remain closed until level level two, says the transport agency. Customers with tests already booked will be rescheduled to the earliest possible test once services resume.

For areas of the country that remain at level four, inspection sites are closed to the general public with only limited services available for essential service vehicles and workers. 

VTNZ says it has postponed 26,000 WOF tests and 13,000 driving tests as the whole of the country spent two weeks at Covid-19 alert level four from August 17.

The business expects a surge in demand as the country moves down through the alert levels but warns the backlog created by the lockdown will take some time to work through.

Police discretion

Waka Kotahi and police are taking an approach to enforcement in this current lockdown that’s consistent with the approach taken during 2020’s lockdowns.

The agency has worked with the force to come to an understanding that if a WOF, COF or driver licence is expired during lockdown by a few days because of the restrictions under the heightened alert levels, then officers will use discretion.

The priority is safety, not paperwork, and Waka Kotahi reminds owners and operators they have a duty to ensure vehicles are safe. Police will act when unsafe vehicles are found. 
Alongside this pragmatic approach, Waka Kotahi is looking at whether an exemption process may be needed if the lockdown goes on for an extended period of time.