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PLANNED CHANGES to the rules for agricultural vehicles will reduce compliance costs while still ensuring safety, says Associate Transport Minister Simon Bridges.
The change is to a two-tier system for agricultural vehicles based on a 40km/h operating speed. Vehicles operating below this speed will be exempt warrants of fitness and work time requirements.
A new licence endorsement will allow car licence holders to drive a greater range of agricultural vehicles if they have the skills.
Other changes will improve and simplify the rules on pilot vehicles, work time variation schemes, hazard identification and vehicle visibility.
“Safety remains a key factor,” Bridges says. “Agricultural vehicles [must] use a flashing amber beacon to better alert other road users to [their] presence. Better and less regulation [will improve] compliance and flexibility for vehicle owners.”
A review in September 2011 responded to farmers’ and contractors’ concerns that existing laws failed to take into account the special nature of farm vehicles and the demands of production.
Introducing the changes for agricultural vehicles will require land transport rule amendments, and Bridges says there will be further opportunities for industry and the public to make submissions.
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