Warrant of Fitness exemptions to close today

The Motor Trade Association (MTA) has confirmed that Kiwis with an expired Warrant of Fitness on their car will no longer be exempt as of today, November 30. 

Temporarily exemptions from having a current WoF had been established during New Zealand’s Covid-19 Alert Level 4 lockdown phase, since those needing a WoF weren’t able to get one due to businesses shutting their doors. 

Following discussions with the Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency and the Ministry of Transport, the MTA has now announced that the amnesty is no longer in place, underlining that the decision is motivated by the upcoming holiday period and the increased risks of accidents on Kiwi roads. 

“With the busy summer months looming, there was a real risk that there would be more fatal and serious accidents as Kiwis hit the roads for their holidays if the exemption was extended,” says MTA Sector Manager – Repairer Graeme Swan.

“This decision will help keep families safe at a time when they’re enjoying a much-needed break.”

“Combine this with a 40 percent first time WoF failure rate and a high road toll, and any extension to the WoF requirements over the summer months would have been a recipe for disaster.”

Swan noted that despite the changeable alert levels in places like Northland, the public has by and large been compliant with bringing their cars in for inspections before exemptions lapsed. “This tells us that the public takes their and other road users’ safety seriously”, he says.

The MTA says that over 600,000 vehicle inspections were performed around the country in October, with another 550,000 awaiting inspection. The firm adds that those needing a WoF best hurry, as demand always picks up for inspections during December.