All go for new agency fees

A range of regulatory fees and charges imposed by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency will be changing from October 1 after the government approved regulations for a new funding regime.

The changes mean dealers will have to fork out extra cash to register cars and face a new charge to access the Motor Vehicle Register (MVR).

Driver licensing costs are also set to become more affordable as the adjustments to regulatory funding, fees and charges are designed to bring in an extra $66 million in revenue for Waka Kotahi.

Consultation on the proposed shake-up took place between March and May last year after the first comprehensive review of the costs of providing regulatory products and services since the agency was established in 2008.

Neil Cook, Waka Kotahi’s director of land transport, says the review established that the agency doesn’t currently bring in enough money to cover the costs of providing such services.

“These are things like vehicle licensing, or rego, and regulation of vehicle inspections and certification,” he explains. 

“The review also showed that some people and companies are paying more for services than they should, some less, and others are not paying at all. The approved changes will fix those issues.”

Adjusting 170 fees and charges was approved by cabinet in April this year and the change to regulations was signed off by the government on August 28.

From October 1, there will be changes to administration fees for rego and road user charges and to the price vehicle certifiers pay for their forms and labels.

At the same time, the cost of each stage of a driver’s licence will shift to a flat rate, with fees to re-sit a licence test removed – a decision welcomed by the Motor Trade Association. 

Waka Kotahi notes the industry cost increases are likely to be passed on to consumers over time.

For full details of the changes, click here.