class A exemption licences no more

[Elmendorf]

So I have had the starlet on a class A exemption licence while it's been in build mode so I could drive it to workshops I needed to go to do stuff that couldn't be done at home as I have no vehicle or access to a tow vehicle and/or trailer.

Today I get a letter from NZTA advising class A is no longer available due to rule changes. There is no alternative to a class A exemption for someone in my position. The pamphlet states the following:

If you are using your vehicle on a road solely for the purpose, and directly to the place, of inspection, servicing or repair, you will have a defence for using an unlicenced vehicle. This is similar to the law which allows people to drive a vehicle without a current Warrant of Fitness as long as they are taking the vehicle directly to a garage or testing station.

How many tickets are the cops going to have fun issuing because of this stupid move. Apparently class A exemption has been deemed unfair for other motorists that pay full wack for licencing.

Sure I can imagine people have abused the class A exemption, but it sux as I went out and followed the law and paid my dues for an exemption.

So not looking forward to the day I have to take my starlet into Palmy for its WOF

[VR-4Squid]

That is indeed a little bit rubbish.

But then, it's also unfair that a car that gets driven once a month or less costs the same to register as a car that is used every day.

[Bling]

We can blame the people that abuse it for this. Have used it in the past in a legit way, but always knew losers would eventually ruin it by driving around on this as a way to get cheaper rego.

[Sick Puppy]

Then you'd have to consider how many they've actually caught abusing this... not that many I'd think, and why biff the exemption rather than make it more stringent?

Part of the usual government/NZTA culture of not promoting car work in any way, and that they would much rather have us wander off to car yards and buy new Corolla's where you cannot touch anything other than the radiator cap and dipstick. Wankers.

[Mr Ree]

That is indeed a little bit rubbish.

But then, it's also unfair that a car that gets driven once a month or less costs the same to register as a car that is used every day.

This ^

I drive my second car less than half a dozen times a year, about 1500kms tops, most of those kms are done at Manfield, yet I pay the same as someone who does > 25,000 on the road.

I truly believe that cars should pay like diesels in that you are charged a fee based on distance travelled.

End rant

[Bling]

Diesel rego is more than petrol isn't it? Then you pay per km travelled... sounds like petrol doesn't have it THAT bad.

[rollaholic]

the large cost in rego fees is due to ACC levies. traditionally ACC has not been a user pays system, which is why everyone pays the same amount. you might want to consider all aspects of your life before advocating a switch to such a system (that is, you might subsidize other motorists with your sub 1500km car, but its quite possible your rugby playing or similar is subsidized by someone else)

that being said, i personally would prefer a larger portion of ACC levies be shifted to petrol - that way you pay for how much you use, people that own multiple vehicles are not penalized, and you would catch levies on people that are for example exploiting loopholes in the rego system, (or not paying their rego at all) people binning their unregistered dirt bikes, or people chopping off their toes with the lawnmower or similar.

it has its problems too, but since tax is already levied on petrol it would probably be easier to implement than other systems.

[TRDWGN]

I didn't even know about this class a rego till a few months ago. The bro in law runs a class a on his everyday roadcar. Apparently it is riff in his circles so yeah I would say it is being abused hard.

Cars are expensive, getover it pay the cost to rego a car whether you do 1km or 100000km a year

[~SlideWays~]

Diesel rego is more than petrol isn't it? Then you pay per km travelled... sounds like petrol doesn't have it THAT bad.

Yep, my Landcruiser costs $417 for 12 months now That plus RUC is a right c**t... especially since I mostly use it offroad!

[STR]

I agree (and my Starlet's Class A too), but technically Class A is only for agricultural vehicles for purposes of moving between farms over short distances, so I suppose we shouldn't really do it any way, by letter of the law.

[Leon]

There will have been a TON of people abusing the "A" reg for sure.

[Nuty|Mike]

Diesel rego is more than petrol isn't it? Then you pay per km travelled... sounds like petrol doesn't have it THAT bad.

Yep, my Landcruiser costs $417 for 12 months now That plus RUC is a right c**t... especially since I mostly use it offroad!

cant you claim the ruc back if used offroad or disconnect the speedo when "offroad"

[Elmo]

Diesel rego is more than petrol isn't it? Then you pay per km travelled... sounds like petrol doesn't have it THAT bad.

Yep, my Landcruiser costs $417 for 12 months now That plus RUC is a right c**t... especially since I mostly use it offroad!

cant you claim the ruc back if used offroad or disconnect the speedo when "offroad"

Technically you probably can disconnect it while off road, BUT, things like river beds, beachs and public tracks are classed AS roads, so technically there you could be given a ticket! Do a Pet V8 conversion on ya 4b4 and win win! lol

[Grrrrrrr!]

That is indeed a little bit rubbish.

But then, it's also unfair that a car that gets driven once a month or less costs the same to register as a car that is used every day.

This ^

I drive my second car less than half a dozen times a year, about 1500kms tops, most of those kms are done at Manfield, yet I pay the same as someone who does > 25,000 on the road.

I truly believe that cars should pay like diesels in that you are charged a fee based on distance travelled.

End rant

the ACC portion of Rego cost should either be moved onto your drivers licence (and allow people to put different classes of licence on hold) or entirely to petrol (and added to RUC for diesels) Rego should be just that, a $20 fee for keeping the database up to date. After all, they aren't insuring the car, they are insuring the driver. My risk of having an accident doesn't go up if own 20cars, so why should my premiums?

[Bling]

License wouldn't work as why should I pay for it if I have a license but never actually drive

[offensive]

License wouldn't work as why should I pay for it if I have a license but never actually drive

if ur never actually gonna drive, not much point getting drivers licence. Plenty of other options out there for photo id.

[Grrrrrrr!]

Hence why you should be able to put your licence on hold same as you can out your rego on hold. Similar outcome too, driving with that class of licence on hold = 25 demerits + $400. And gets around the "sorry orificer, I was only going to get new tyres/wof/service problem" too.

[Bling]

My point was what if I had my car stolen and didn't drive for a few months. It's no better than paying rego on cars you don't drive. License on hold? Talk about complicating things.

[Grrrrrrr!]

Realistically, how likely are you not to drive for a few months if your car is stolen? Unless you enjoy public transport (and no social life) or live in walking distance to work i'm betting that you'll buy/borrow a beater pretty damn soon.

And i dont see how putting a licence on hold is anymore complicated than putting a rego on hold?

[Bling]

Was a simple example TBH, guess it wasn't simple enough to get through though. So here is a REAL WORLD EXAMPLE.

I know people with licenses that don't have cars. Can't afford a car at the moment due to other reasons. Every so often they may wish borrow a friends car if they get really stuck though.

You're saying it's better for them to put it on hold / take it off hold each time they want to drive a car or else they will be paying for a license they aren't using. Basically just shifting the problem from one part of the system to another. End result is back to square one. Smart move.