Extension to temporary RUC reduction On 19 May, the Government announced in the Budget that it was extending the temporary transport relief package. The package includes cuts to the cost of public transport and fuel excise duty, and a reduction in RUC rates by 36 percent (equivalent in savings to the fuel excise duty cut of 25 cents a litre). RUC rates were initially reduced from 21 April to 21 July 2022. However, the Government has now announced the temporary reduction will stay in place until 21 September 2022.
What to do If you buy a RUC licence up to and including 21 September, you’ll be buying a licence at the reduced rate. When buying a RUC licence during the discount period, you’ll need to complete a declaration to confirm you’re only buying enough RUC to cover the discount period. Waka Kotahi can charge you the non-discounted rate if you buy an excessive amount of RUC.
Already have a RUC licence? If you bought a RUC licence before the discount was introduced, and it will cover you for the discount period, you can still take advantage of the discount by buying a new licence starting at the current distance reading showing on your vehicle’s odometer/hubodometer. When you buy your new licence, our system will automatically credit you for any unused distance. You’ll be credited back at the RUC rate you originally paid. You must use all of this credit when you buy your new licence. An instructional video on our website shows you how to buy a new licence that overlaps your existing licence. We have full details of the RUC discounts and more on overlap licences at www.nzta.govt.nz/ruc-reduction-scheme. We’ll be updating our website, so check it for the latest information. Remember, you can buy your discounted RUC licence online at www.nzta.govt.nz/buy-ruc until 21 September.
