Just looking at a 4wd forum and came across news of new 4wd laws.Are they smoking vrack in the NZTA!a modified "lifted more than 100mm"4WD will be only allowed to be driven by certified drivers!I can understand some mods need certifying etc but stupid laws like this are pathetic!
QUOTED . A brief summary NZTA want to ban or severely limit lifted vehicles. At present you are allowed up to 50mm suspension lift without a modified vehicle certification. All body lifts no matter how small need certification. NZFWDA are represented on the LVVA and have been making submissions. To allow some sort of lift the proposal is for no more than 50mm spring/suspension lift and no more than 50mm body lift. Body lifts would need to be approved or certified by certain specialist certifiers. Because of concerns regarding the ability of people to drive safely with vehicles with body lifts only people who have 'proved' themselves as bona fide off road drivers will be allowed to have lifted vehicles. To prove you do drive off road, you will need to belong to a Club affiliated to the NZFWDA and will apply and receive a card that lasts only for 12 months. As you renew your membership the card will be renewed as well. If you sell the vehicle the card is not transferable and would not allow others to legally drive your vehicle.
bmwnz,
Jun 13, 9:32pm
Cigar lighters in cars will also be banned unless you can prove that you belong to a NZ Certified smoker's club and have a 12 months "Certified Smoker" card.
mrfxit,
Jun 13, 9:39pm
Key points are .
Current with no cert = 50mm (2") suspension lift / no body lift Proposed 100mm lift 'seems' reasonably fair because of the hassles involved in doing a 100mm (4") lift . BUT. depends on how the total amount of lift is done. 50mm body & 50mm suspensionlift = total 100mm shouldn't be any real problem . BUT there are & can be a lot of alterations needed IF it's done with a 100mm suspension lift or a 100mm body lift. I would have thought it safer to allow a body lift rather then a suspension lift. A body lift is mostly just longer blocks. Suspension . well yea, thats a very different story.
mrfxit,
Jun 13, 9:42pm
I can see why this is proposed because of dim wits that do a 100mm + lift & ONLY drive it (more like race it) around town/city streets. Thats a bit like buying a Hummer specifically to drop off your kids at kindy
cybertao,
Jun 13, 9:55pm
Damn!So I need a special 4WD licence just to pick up the kids now!
Some laws are getting passed in this country that are just plain ridiculous.If its done safe and certified then that should be enough.May be that new ad on TV where the impala lifts up to reveal 2 other cars has got the NZTA running scared and pawing through the rule book!
smac,
Jun 14, 1:31am
Seems a bit of a nanny rule to me, but is it really any hassle to anyone! I guess they're trying to avoid somebody purchasing a lifted vehicle then expecting it to corner like a standard vehicle. But who would have one lifted by 50mm or more and not be a serious 4wd'er!
mrfxit,
Jun 14, 3:48am
Queen street farmers
zoltec45,
Jun 14, 4:34am
In reguards to being "experienced enough" to drive the vehicle, isnt that the same as having to belong to a car club and attend two specific races a year to have a full cage on the road! Not like there is an actual test, just you need to belong to a club.
richardmayes,
Jun 14, 4:54am
I guess the "boy racer fraternity" might well counter that they have for a long time needed to get a cert to lower a car, (a modification generally done to improve the handling characteristics in public road driving) even for a change of much less than 50mm. This is imposed in the name of safety, sowhy should 4x4ers be free to raise the centre of gravity of their already tall vehicles without passing any sort of LVVA scrutiny!
If you are modifying a factory designed & built (& NZTA approved)suspension, and creating something unique that you in your humble opinion think will be "better", you need to take a day out of your life and get some sort of Govt inspection and sign-off before you drive that sh!t on public roads around my house. This doesn't seem outrageously draconian to my way of thinking.!
tnt423,
Jun 14, 5:24am
I take it you don't no anything about the current rules, you have always need to get a low volume cert when you lift or lower the suspension or modify anything that isn't factory.
richardmayes,
Jun 14, 5:27am
^^^ I know exactly as much as poster #2 quoted. Check it out.
vtecintegra,
Jun 14, 5:28am
You do not need a cert for lowing springs by themselves provided they meet a few criteria.
Have a look on the LVVTA website
lordv81,
Jun 14, 8:59am
How long before any modified vehicles owner has to be "screened" to be proved worthy or not of operating a modified car or 4wd!while this law may or may not get passed its still ok for any" boy racer" to operate highly modified low cars without proving themselves to the law or belonging to a club.If a vehicle is deemed safe by current standards and does not rate any higher in crash stats then why waste tax payers money creating laws that will have no impact{ no pun intended} on safety,and will only decrease a modded 4wds value.
chris_051,
Jun 12, 6:12pm
Apart from shifting the COG higher (which you adjust with in driving style) a properly lifted 4wd should drive no worse than standard. I've had a few Jeeps and the best handling one had 2" blocks plus new 2" higher springs giving 4" all up with shocks to suit. No front sway bar also but handled like a new one. All this regulation BS is for, is the Govt to screw us out of more money! If they want to make the roads safer concentrate on the poor sandard of driving throughout NZ.
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