Introduction

Updated: 7 January 2011

On 1 January 2010 the Road User Charges Regulations (No 2) 2009 came into force. These regulations enable approved electronic distance recorders to be used for measuring distance travelled (for road user charges (RUC) purposes) and the electronic display of RUC licences.

The purpose of these guidelines is to provide information on the process of becoming an electronic RUC service provider, and to provide an alternative voluntary option to paper licenses and hubodometers.

These guidelines are interim and in the longer term the performance requirements contained here may be replaced with the introduction of more detailed standards.

The Ministry of Transport (the Ministry) and the NZ Transport Agency (the NZTA) welcome comment on the guidelines. Feedback should be directed to rucguidelines@transport.govt.nz.

The document follows the following format:

• Part one sets out the process for applying for an approval from the Secretary for Transport (the Secretary)
• Part two sets out the (largely) outcome-based performance requirements on which the testing process is based
• Part three provides an indication of the terms and conditions that may accompany the Secretary's approval.

Legal authority

The RUC system is operated under the Road User Charges Act 1977 (the Act) and the Road User Charges Regulations 1978 (the Regulations) including the 2009 amendments to those regulations. You should familiarise yourself with this legislation before contacting the NZTA, and seek legal advice if necessary.

Waiver

These guidelines are not prescriptive. They are intended to provide an overview of the process for becoming an electronic RUC service provider and the obligations of applicants and other participants in the system.

As this is a new procedure which involves the introduction of new technology, the technical information required from applicants and the content of this document will be subject to change.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your methodology does not infringe any existing intellectual property rights. The approval process administered by the NZTA and MOT does not involve the consideration of such matters and the MOT and the NZTA bear no responsibility for patent infringement arising from an approval of an electronic distance recorder.