New laws back digital shift
Legislation to replace physical driver’s licences, warrants of fitness and certificates of fitness with digital versions has passed its third reading at parliament.
The Regulatory Systems (Transport) Amendment Bill was introduced in August last year to develop a system allowing people to potentially store those items on their cellphones.
The bill completed its third reading on May 13 and shifts a number of paper-based and physical processes to digital service delivery.
This includes enabling digital alternatives to the requirement to display warrants of fitness and registration labels, enhancing the NZTA’s ability to deliver regulatory notices electronically, and enabling the future use of digital driver licences as an optional alternative to physical cards.
Chris Bishop, Minister of Transport, and James Meager, Associate Minister of Transport, say the new laws will make the transport regulatory system fit for purpose.
Bishop says the changes bring transport legislation up to date by allowing digital options instead of paper documents and improving online service delivery.
“Transport legislation relied heavily on hard copy letters to be posted instead of being sent electronically,” he explains.
“Last year alone, this resulted in 14 million letters, reminders, and labels being sent at a cost of $16.8 million to taxpayers.
“While some mail will still be required, these changes will allow many services to move to modern digital delivery.”
Bishop notes privacy and security safeguards have been a key focus throughout the bill’s passage.
He says strong protections remain in place, with statutory obligations under the Privacy Act continuing to apply and existing contractual requirements protecting personal information.
The bill, which will now be formally signed into law by the Governor-General, is underpinned by three core themes. These are equipping regulators with effective tools, improving system efficiency, and addressing duplication and inconsistencies in transport legislation.
Meager adds the changes complement recent reforms to warrant of fitness and certificate of fitness requirements, “which reduce unnecessary compliance and better align inspection rules with modern vehicles and real-world risk”.
Other amendments to transport legislation in the bill include introducing clear duties on rail participants and personnel to support rail accident and incident investigations, and strengthening maritime enforcement.
