THE CHANGES

New light vehicles (vehicles weighing less than 3.5 tonnes) to have an initial WOF inspection, then no further inspections until the vehicle is three years old and then annual checks after that.

Light vehicles three years or older, first registered anywhere in the world on or after January 1, 2000, are to move to annual inspections.

Light vehicles first registered anywhere before January 1, 2000, are to remain permanently on sixmonthly inspections.

From July 1, 2014, wellmaintained heavy vehicles can have a certificate of fitness applied from a range of three to 12 months, increased from the present three to nine months. The default frequency will remain six months. increased workload without compromising public safety.

‘‘I would be very concerned if frontline police were being taken away from crime reduction activities in order to check my tyres.’’

A police spokesman said as well as the current WOF and basic roadworthiness checks, there would be an increased focus on checking essential safety items such as tyres, brakes and lights.

AA spokesman Mark Stockdale said the reduction in testing frequency brought New Zealand closer to international best practice.

‘‘The six-monthly inspection regime has no measurable impact on the number of crashes and has not kept pace with improvements in vehicle technology, reliability and safety.’’

Mr Brownlee said a $2m awareness campaign would remind motorists they were responsible for their vehicles’ safety.