RUC admin fee change delayed

The NZ Transport Agency has delayed implementation of amended administration costs for its Road User Charges until November 1 – but the increases to the Road User Charges themselves will take place on July 1, as previously announced.

The proposed changes to vehicle certificate administration fees, which still have to be approved by the Government, will be of interest to those involved in providing, or intending to provide, warrant of fitness or certificate of fitness inspection services.

Other vehicle certification-related service fees have also been reviewed including: those paid by vehicle importers; and those paid by owners of special interest vehicles. New fees are being proposed for those seeking exemptions from vehicle compliance rules.

Note that the proposed fee changes do not relate to the cost of a WoF or CoF inspection itself; these are set by the inspection organisation.

The proposed changes to RUC administration fees will also be of interest to those who are eligible to pay road user charges (e.g. owners of diesel or heavy motor vehicles).

These relate to fees for RUC collection, distance overrun assessments, and exemptions from road user charges. It is important to note that the proposals do not include changes to road user charges themselves.

The proposed fees

In recent years the number of digital government services has grown significantly.. With this in mind, it is proposed that the seven current agent-based collection fees be consolidated into three channel-based fees: 1. Face-to-face (over the counter) - $6.20 (down 59 cents). 2. Digital self-service (internet, electronic system providers etc) – $2.95 (but there may be a separate surcharge for credit card use). 3. Digital assisted (purchased via phone, fax or email) – $7.50 (up $2.37).