WOF vs CoF

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Geektastic

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#285846 21-May-2021 00:40

If you have a car (such as a taxi) that is subject to COF rather than WOF because of that use, is there actually any difference between the inspections other than frequency?

I looked at list of things for both and the COF items that were different seemed as though they would apply to trucks etc not cars.

If there is no difference, why not simply call it a WOF and say it needs doing every 6 months?

Jase2985

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#2710443 21-May-2021 07:27

"A certificate of fitness (CoF) is a regular check to ensure that your vehicle meets required safety standards. Vehicles requiring this certification are:

heavy vehicles – trucks, larger trailers, motor homes
all passenger service vehicles – taxis, shuttles and buses
rental vehicles."

its for specific types of vehicles. the inspection requirements are likely no different to the WOF ones, bar things like certificate of loading (display and validity) transport service licence number (if required)

CrashAndBurn

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#2710450 21-May-2021 07:44

Somewhat related but could not find it online. Is it true that if you are CoF that you can drive on T3 even without the required number of passengers? This is according to my uber driver.

blackjack17

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#2710455 21-May-2021 07:58

CrashAndBurn:

Somewhat related but could not find it online. Is it true that if you are CoF that you can drive on T3 even without the required number of passengers? This is according to my uber driver.

Looks to be true

More specifically a transit lane ‘means a lane reserved for the use of the following (unless specifically excluded by a sign installed at the start of the lane): (a) passenger service vehicles; (b) motor vehicles carrying not less than the number of persons (including the driver) specified on the sign; (c) cycles; (d) motorcycles; (e) mopeds.’

https://www.nzta.govt.nz/walking-cycling-and-public-transport/cycling/cycling-standards-and-guidance/cycling-network-guidance/designing-a-cycle-facility/between-intersections/transit-lanes/

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Bung

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#2710456 21-May-2021 07:59

Close, you have to have a passenger service vehicle rather than just needing a CoF

"transit lane means a lane reserved for the use of—
(a)the following (unless specifically excluded by a sign installed at the start of the lane):
(i)passenger service vehicles:
(ii)motor vehicles carrying not less than the number of persons (including the driver) specified on the sign:
(iii)cycles:
(iv)motorcycles:
(v)mopeds; and
(b)electric vehicles (if specifically included by a sign installed at the start of the lane)"

Jase2985

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#2710459 21-May-2021 08:05

CrashAndBurn:

Somewhat related but could not find it online. Is it true that if you are CoF that you can drive on T3 even without the required number of passengers? This is according to my uber driver.

"Passenger service vehicles, including taxis, regardless of whether or not they are carrying passengers."

Geektastic

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#2710474 21-May-2021 08:42

Jase2985:
"A certificate of fitness (CoF) is a regular check to ensure that your vehicle meets required safety standards. Vehicles requiring this certification are:

heavy vehicles – trucks, larger trailers, motor homes
all passenger service vehicles – taxis, shuttles and buses
rental vehicles."

its for specific types of vehicles. the inspection requirements are likely no different to the WOF ones, bar things like certificate of loading (display and validity) transport service licence number (if required)

So given that a car won’t have anything different because it’s still a car regardless of use, it’s just a WOF every six months in essence?

Why put it in a whole other stream of certification then? Where’s the benefit? Surely a rule that requires aWOF every six months would achieve exactly the sane thing?

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Ge0rge

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#2710497 21-May-2021 09:11

A CoF can be required to be completed at periods less than six months if your performance upon inspection is lacking. This is not a function that can be applied to a WoF.

Jase2985

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#2710553 21-May-2021 09:49

Geektastic:

So given that a car won’t have anything different because it’s still a car regardless of use, it’s just a WOF every six months in essence?

Why put it in a whole other stream of certification then? Where’s the benefit? Surely a rule that requires a WOF every six months would achieve exactly the sane thing?

But its not treated as a car thats the point its treated as a passenger service vehicle

it does have extra requirements. see below.

https://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/resources/rules/docs/passenger-service-vehicles-1999-as-at-1-may-2021.pdf

OldGeek

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#2710573 21-May-2021 09:51

I once asked this of a COF inspector when I took my car in for its COF inspection. He said that the standards required for a COF are higher (more stringent) than a WOF and the inspector had no discretion with a COF versus some discretion with a WOF. I cannot find any published info on specifics, however the NZTA must approve all inspectors for WOF, COF-A (trucks) and COF-B (cars) separately. An inspector may hold multiple certifications.

If a passenger service vehicle is stopped for any reason, it is usual for basic COF checks to be done (COF status, tyre tread depth etc) and if these result in a fail then the car can only be driven to a place of repair and subsequent COF inspection. If the vehicle is registered as part of a fleet (ie the owner of the taxi is an owner/driver for a taxi company) then the taxi company is notified of the COF failure and must not despatch work to the owner of that vehicle.

The major difference between WOF and COF-B is licencing checks. For a COF-B additional checks are required for PSL validity at least and there may be others. If these were to be combined then there would almost certainly be two different types of WOF, but the significance of this would only be of concern to the vehicle owner and testing station inspectors.

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Geektastic

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#2710912 21-May-2021 18:19

OldGeek:
I once asked this of a COF inspector when I took my car in for its COF inspection. He said that the standards required for a COF are higher (more stringent) than a WOF and the inspector had no discretion with a COF versus some discretion with a WOF. I cannot find any published info on specifics, however the NZTA must approve all inspectors for WOF, COF-A (trucks) and COF-B (cars) separately. An inspector may hold multiple certifications.

If a passenger service vehicle is stopped for any reason, it is usual for basic COF checks to be done (COF status, tyre tread depth etc) and if these result in a fail then the car can only be driven to a place of repair and subsequent COF inspection. If the vehicle is registered as part of a fleet (ie the owner of the taxi is an owner/driver for a taxi company) then the taxi company is notified of the COF failure and must not despatch work to the owner of that vehicle.

The major difference between WOF and COF-B is licencing checks. For a COF-B additional checks are required for PSL validity at least and there may be others. If these were to be combined then there would almost certainly be two different types of WOF, but the significance of this would only be of concern to the vehicle owner and testing station inspectors.

Thanks. That’s quite comprehensive. Presumably your car is used for passenger services then? As far as I can tell from reading the actual rules helpfully posted above, the only major difference in terms of a car is that the child locks have to be disabled where fitted.

ANglEAUT

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#2711111 21-May-2021 23:56

Geektastic:

... is there actually any difference between the inspections other than frequency? ...

I still get my COF done every 6 months
As stated above, stricter rules for the inspections, including a luggage net with floor bolts to hold freight done in an emergency
Generally, vehicles with a COF will do higher mileage
- leading a lower resale value
- more likely to be in an accident due to time spent on the road

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Geektastic

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#2711577 22-May-2021 22:44

ANglEAUT:
Geektastic:

... is there actually any difference between the inspections other than frequency? ...

I still get my COF done every 6 months

As stated above, stricter rules for the inspections, including a luggage net with floor bolts to hold freight done in an emergency

Generally, vehicles with a COF will do higher mileage

leading a lower resale value

more likely to be in an accident due to time spent on the road

I’ve yet to take a taxi with a bolted down luggage net in sight!

jonb

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#2711579 22-May-2021 23:39

Thanks this is an interesting thread. I'm thinking of doing some bike trail transfers and similar occasional extra income with new car, hard to see if is worthwhile with getting a P and CoF every 6 months (when new car has WOF for 3 years free)

Geektastic

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#2711584 22-May-2021 23:48

You’d want to be sure of making some reasonable money in return for the PITA compliance I’d say.

OldGeek

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#2711616 23-May-2021 09:39

jonb: Thanks this is an interesting thread. I'm thinking of doing some bike trail transfers and similar occasional extra income with new car, hard to see if is worthwhile with getting a P and CoF every 6 months (when new car has WOF for 3 years free)

To research requirements you need to consider:

Driver licencing: Driving a passenger service vehicle | Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (nzta.govt.nz)

Vehicle Licencing: I run a passenger service | Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (nzta.govt.nz)

Taxi and Shuttle drivers need to do all this. Dont forget your vehicle insurance implications, which should include public liability coverage. Good Luck!

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