Updates to the Motorcycle road code
This page lists any updates to The official New Zealand road code for motorcyclists since the last published edition. These changes will usually have been caused by a legislation change.
Other update pages:
The 2010 version of The official New Zealand road code for motorcyclists was published in May 2010.
New version of motorcycle road code (1 April 2012)
A new version of the motorcycle road code was published on 1 April 2012. The following pages were updated as a result:
- New Zealand's driver licensing system
- What are the practical riding tests?
- On the day of your practical riding test
- Stepping over the line
- Sharing the road with pedestrians
- Registered person's responsibilities
- Speed limits
- Stage 2 - restricted licence
- Other licensing information
- Learner licence theory test - Core questions
- Learner licence theory test - Specialist questions
- Index
Road User Rule amendment 2011 (Give way rule changes)
Two of the give way rules changed at 5am on Sunday 25 March 2012. This led to updates in the following pages regarding giving way and intersections:
An overview of the new give way rules can be found in our publication The give way rules from 25 March 2012 (PDF, 1.25 MB, 8 pages)
Changes to the driver licence tests
On 27 February 2012 changes were introduced to the Class 6 (motorcycle) licensing system.
This led to updates on the following pages:
Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Amendment Rule 2011
The Land Transport Driver Licensing Amendment Rule 2011 introduced a number of changes that affect licence holders.
This led to updates regarding supervisors, restricted licence driving conditions, name change confirmation, international drivers, speed limits, the test day checklist, and other information on the following pages on 1 October 2011:
- Stage 1 - learner licence - What are the conditions of a learner licence?
- Stage 2 - restricted licence - What are the conditions of a restricted licence?
- Driver licensing application requirements - Evidence of your identity
- Driver licensing application requirements - Confirmation of name change
- Other licensing information - International drivers
- About the practical driving tests - Test day checklist
- About limits - Speed limits
- About limits - Compulsory speed signs
- About limits - Open road speed limits
- About your responsibilities - Responsible riding
The Land Transport (Road Safety & Other Matters) Amendment Act introduces a zero alcohol limit for drivers under the age of 20.
Alcohol limits updated 7 August 2011 on the following pages:
- Alcohol and drug limits - Legal alcohol limits for driving
- Stage 1 - learner licence - What are the conditions of a learner licence?
- Stage 2 - restricted licence - What are the conditions of a restricted licence?
Minimum driving age increases
Minimum ages updated 1 August 2011 on the following pages:
- Stage 1 - learner licence - Who can apply for a learner licence?
- Stage 2 - restricted licence - Who can apply for a restricted licence?
- Stage 3 - full licence - Who can apply for a full licence?
Land Transport (Road Safety & Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011
Reinstatement fee
The Land Transport (Road Safety & Other Matters) Amendment Act introduces new relicensing requirements for drivers who have been disqualified or whose licences have been suspended.
If your licence has been suspended (other than a 28-day roadside suspension), or you have been disqualified, and your suspension or disqualification ends on or after10 May 2011 you cannot simply return to driving. You will need to reinstate your licence and a have a new licence issued before being legally entitled to drive again. This applies irrespective of when the suspension or disqualification commenced.
Information about demerit points, impounding vehicles, and applying for removal of an indefinite disqualification information was updated in April 2011 on the following pages:
- Alcohol and drug limits - Applying for the removal of an indefinite disqualification
- Stepping over the line - Demerit points
- Stepping over the line - Impounding vehicles.
Licence fees and refunds change
GST-related changes
On 1 October 2010 licence fees and refunds changed due to the increase in Goods and Services Tax (GST). For more information see Licence fees and refunds.
The Land Transport (Driver Licensing and Driver Testing) Fees Regulations 2010
In July 2010, Regulation changes led to the fees being updated in July 2010.
These changes affected fees and related information on the following page:
Last updated: 2 April 2012