The NZTA are starting a project to tidy up the data in the Transport Service Licence register. About 73% of the 146,000 licences in the register are inactive. Removing these licences from the register will help us focus on active licences and checking non-compliance such as someone using a licence that doesn’t belong to them.

All commercial transport services need a TSL to operate their business whether that’s delivering goods or carrying passengers. If all the vehicles listed on a TSL haven’t been used for at least 2 years, they consider the TSL to be inactive. Section 30O of the Land Transport Act 1998 gives them the authority to cancel these licences.  

The NZTA will get in touch with people who have inactive licences soon, contacting those with licences inactive for 7+ years first, followed by those with licences inactive for 2 – 7 years.  

Operators will be informed that their licence will be cancelled in 30 days and if they want to keep it, they can provide a rational using the online form. If they do not hear from the licence holder within that period they will cancel the licence.

The licence holder will need to provide evidence of how they’re using their licence for example: A vehicle lease agreement. Receipt – for vehicle maintenance, fuel or wages confirmation the vehicle is still in their possession, but on an exemption. Proof that the incorrect TSL has been recorded for their vehicle at a COF check.

Going forward, contacting licence holders and removing inactive licences will form part of NZTA’s standard operations.