New Zealand
Part 1: Driving with a Disability
Are there any laws or regulations in your country that restrict whether people with disabilities can obtain a driving licence?
Yes, if you have a disability and you want to get your driver licence, you’ll still sit the standard theory and practical driving tests. If you can only drive in a specially equipped vehicle, the test will be carried out in that vehicle. Consideration of individual cases is possible and you may be permitted to drive subject to special conditions. Unfortunately, some people – for their own safety and that of others – aren’t permitted to drive. Applicants for licence classes 2 to 5 and P, V, I and O endorsements require special medical, eyesight and hearing examinations.
Are there any restrictions on the type of vehicle or adaptation to controls that can be driven by a person with a disability?
No, almost any standard vehicle can be modified. What modifications can be made? Modifications that can be made to private vehicles include: • steering and secondary control aids • left-foot accelerators • clutch conversions • additional car mirrors • wheelchair stowage equipment
Some vehicle modifications require inspection and certification to ensure they are safe. These include: • hand controls for braking and accelerating • handbrake devices • seatbelt modifications, harnesses and special seating • joystick and foot steering (a four-way joystick can be used to steer, accelerate and brake) • infrared remote control systems, which mean you can get in the vehicle and drive from a wheelchair with complete independence.
If you have answered yes to Question 4 above, do the same restrictions apply to a person with a disability visiting your country in their own or a rented vehicle? Please give details.
N/A
Please give details of the section responsible in your Ministry for driver licensing and vehicle adaptations for people with disabilities. Please also include any websites which give details of the official national policy.
Name of Department/Ministry: The New Zealand Transport Agency
Name of section responsible: Vehicle Rules Team
email address for queries: [email protected]
Write to us: NZ Transport Agency, Private Bag 11777, Palmerston North 4442
Phone number for queries: 0800822422
website (s): https://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicles/
Part 2: Parking Cards for people with a disability
Does your country have a national scheme of parking concessions for people with a disability?
Yes
Which categories of people with a disability are eligible for the parking card?
Wheelchair users People with walking difficulty People with mental health issues, learning disabilities or other hidden disabilities (please describe) Other (please specify): You have a medical condition or a disability that necessitates you to have physical contact or close supervision in order to safely get around and that you cannot be left unattended (e.g. if you experience disorientation, confusion or severe anxiety).
Are there parking spaces reserved for people with a disability?
Yes
If you have answered yes, where are the reserved parking spaces?
On street In municipal car parks
What concessions does the parking card give people with a disability?
Extended time limit for on-street parking (please give details below) Other (please specify): Pay and display When you park in a metered park, or in a pay and display zone, and display your mobility parking permit, you can pay for one hour and get an additional 30 minutes (minimum) free. This is a concession that acknowledges that people with mobility issues can take longer to get back to their vehicle. Extended free parking In time-restricted zones, where free parking is allowed for set times (e.g. P30, P120), some councils provide longer free parking for people displaying valid mobility parking permits. Check the rules for mobility parking near you.
Please note: A mobility parking permit does not entitle you to free parking. Other than where it is specified by concessions, normal parking fees apply. Some supermarkets are giving Mobility Parking Permit holders the opportunity to become a Priority Assistance online shopping customer during the Covid-19 pandemic to assist people with parking to collect groceries.
Are there any regions or cities in your country that do not recognise the parking card, or which have their own, different system?
No, New Zealand has a Parking Permit scheme administered by CCS Disability Action and you cannot use your permit from another country. Your Parking Permit can not be used in New Zealand, but you can obtain a short-term permit on arrival for $35NZD here. https://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/mobility-parking/
Are the same concessions available to individuals with a disability visiting your country?
Yes
If you have answered yes to Question 13 above, please tell us if there is a formal system of reciprocal recognition of parking cards from other countries?
No
If you have answered yes to Question 14 above please tell us
N/A
Are there minimum dimensions for the size of a parking space reserved for a person with a disability?
Yes, If you have answered yes, please specify what they are and, if possible, include a link to the standard used. : New Zealand Standard NZS 4121 requires accessible parking spaces to have a minimum effective size of 3.5m wide by 5.0m long for parallel and angle parking spaces at 90° to the kerb.
https://codehub.building.govt.nz/home/resources/41212001nzs/
Please give details of the section in your ministry responsible for parking concessions for people with a disability.
Name of Department/Ministry: CCS Disability Action
email address for queries: [email protected]
phone number for queries: 0800227200, press 4
website(s): https://ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/mobility-parking/
Please include a link to any websites which give details of the official national policy on parking concessions for people with a disability.
https://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/resources/factsheets/31/docs/31-disabilities-and-driving.pdf
Part 3: Hiring a car if you have a disability
Does your country have any laws which require hire car companies to make adapted vehicles available for people with disabilities to rent?
No
Where are such vehicles available?
At major airports At city centre hire car outlets
Please give details of the section responsible in your Ministry for laws/policies on adapted hire cars.
N/A
Part 4: Further information
Please give contact details (email, phone, weblinks) for any sections or organisations which have supplied information for your response to this survey if they are not already listed.
N/A