Proposed regulations for road user charges - consultation

Overview

Consultation on proposals for regulations required to support the modernisation of New Zealand’s road user charges (RUC) system closed on 12 June 2026. These regulations would be made under the Land Transport (Revenue) Amendment Bill (the Bill) if it is enacted.

The regulations focus on enabling a flexible, user‑friendly RUC system that can support new technologies, new service models, and create performance standards for RUC providers. The consultation document [PDF, 743 KB] also provides an update on how fees will be set for the RUC system.

Why are regulations needed?

The Government is progressing the Land Transport (Revenue) Amendment Bill to reform the road user charge (RUC) system. Regulations are required by the Bill, if enacted, to support the modernisation of the road user charges (RUC) system.

This legislative reform is a key step in the goal to transition all vehicles from fuel excise duty to road user charges, while ensuring all road users contribute fairly based on how they use the network.

While no final transition timeframes have been set, RUC reforms are being progressed to ensure the system is ready as the vehicle fleet changes, including increasing numbers of electric and low‑emissions vehicles.

What are we proposing?

The proposed regulations are grouped into five areas.

• Electronic distance recorders – retaining relatively stringent requirements for heavy vehicles while adopting a more flexible outcomes-focused approach for light vehicles to support emerging technologies.
• Approval of RUC providers – establishing criteria for entry, including financial, operational, and technical capability.
• Performance requirements – setting ongoing obligations for revenue collection, data management, auditability, and compliance.
• Information protection and privacy – requiring compliance with the Privacy Act 2020 and associated safeguards for handling road user data.
• Alternative payment schemes – enabling different payment models, including post-paid systems, while ensuring revenue integrity.

Update on RUC administration fees

If the Bill is enacted, RUC fees would be revised to reflect the separation of NZTA’s roles as RUC Collector and RUC Provider. The consultation document provides an update on the development of RUC administration fees.

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