Submission on Draft Land Transport Rule, Agricultural Vehicles ...

a. Certain categories of all terrain vehicles (such as ‘quad-bikes’, side
by side utility vehicles.) be included in the definition of an
agricultural vehicle.
b. ‘Agricultural vehicles’ driven on the road at speeds of under 40kph
to be identified by a ‘40kph’ sign.
c. The Vehicle Class ‘EX’ proposed in the Agricultural Vehicles Review
discussion document should be introduced for agricultural vehicles
driven on the road at speeds up to 40kph.
d. Remove the requirement to fit marker lights on or near hazard
panels.
e. Remove the requirement for tractors under three metres in width to
be fitted with hazard panels where the rear tires are the widest
point.
f. Implements that extend beyond the width of the tractor tyres or are
in excess of three metres in width require hazard panels.
g. Remove the requirement for hazard panels to be frangible, as
frangible 1 hazard panels are not durable.
h. The final rule changes align with the definition in the Agricultural
Vehicles Guide. This will mean the guide will have to be amended.
2. COMMENT ON THE SCOPE AND DEFINITION OF ‘AGRICULTURAL VEHICLES’
2.1 The draft omnibus rule proposes that the definition of ‘agricultural motor vehicle’ is
amended in the Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Rule 1999 to a vehicle designed,
constructed or adapted for agricultural purposes 2 .
2.2 This definition includes agricultural tractors 3 and trailers 4 , soil cultivators, planters
and seed drills, harvesters, mowers, toppers, bailers, hay rakes, produce sorters.
On–road 4WD vehicles, utes, trucks, goods trailers operated at more than 40km/h
and all terrain vehicles such as quad bikes are not included in the definition of a
‘agricultural motor vehicle’.
2.3 Under the old rules only ‘special purpose’ vehicles could be classified as all terrain
vehicles. NZTA has proposed to remove this qualification so a wider range of
vehicles such as side-by-side terrain vehicles. This means they will be covered by
the existing specialist regimes and will be subject to helmet-wearing requirements.
1
A ‘frangible’ object is an object of low mass, designed to break, distort or yield on impact, so as to
present the minimum hazard to the vehicle.
2
‘Agricultural purpose’ includes land cultivation, growing and harvesting crops, rearing livestock and
land management operation undertaken in connection with the operation of the farm (includes
cultivation and harvesting).
3
‘Agricultural tractor’ means a vehicle that is designed and constructed principally for the purposes of
towing an agricultural trailer or drawing, or towing an implement ordinarily used for an agricultural
purpose.
4
‘Agricultural trailer’ means a trailer that is used exclusively for agricultural purposes; and includes a
wheeled agricultural implement, the wheels of which are in contact with the road when the implement
is being towed; but does not include a trailer that is designed for carriage of goods; and operated at a
speed exceeding 40kp/h; or a logging trailer.
3