The title is from the article but doesn’t really cover the breadth of changes proposed. The key parts:
The government is proposing to make it legal to ride e-scooters in cycle lanes. It is part of its work to “fix the basics” in the New Zealand transport system, with consultation opening today on two packages for rule changes.
In the first package, the government is proposing to:
- Allow children up to age 12 (inclusive) to ride their bikes on footpaths, helping keep younger riders safer and reflecting common practice;
- Introduce a mandatory passing gap of between one and 1.5 metres, depending on the speed limit, to give motorists clearer guidance when passing cyclists and horse riders;
- Allow e-scooters to use cycle lanes;
- Require drivers travelling under 60 kilometres per hour to give way to buses pulling out from bus stops;
- Clarify signage rules so councils can better manage berm parking.
The second package relating to heavy vehicles proposes:
- Some permit requirements would be removed so rental operators can move empty high productivity motor vehicle truck and trailer combinations between depots and customers without unnecessary delays;
- Driver licence settings would be updated so Class 1 licence holders can drive zero-emissions vehicles with a gross laden weight up to 7500 kilograms, and Class 2 licence holders can drive electric buses with more than two axles with a gross laden weight up to 22,000kg;
- Signage requirements for load pilot vehicles would be made more practical;
- Overseas heavy vehicle licence holders would be able to convert their licences either by sitting tests or completing approved courses.
Well, I think I need more info, as apparently currently a class 1 licence can drive up to 6 tonne, as per the table here.
I was shocked by that number too, but going from 6 to 7.5 tonne seems reasonable. Also as per the table, there seems to already be a class exemption for electric trucks where the diesel equivalent is under 6000kg (in the same table linked above).
I am curious why we don’t have 6 tonne utes, I was under the impression there was a 3 tonne limit but maybe that’s unladen or something?
You can easily get to 6 tonnes with a loaded vehicle towing a trailer. 3500kg for a loaded up ute, plus 3500kg trailer, and you’re in class 2 territory.
There’s also a few camper van type vehicles that would be over 6 tonne.
Ah right you’ve got it. Light vehicles are allowed to be up to 3500kg including load.
But a light trailer can also be up to 3500kg,
So you could drive a light vehicle and light trailer and get 7500kg, but would need a class 2 license. But the light vehicle + light trailer combo could be driven up to 6000kg on a class 1 license.