These regulations, which come into force on 6 August 2026, amend the Road User Charges (Rates) Regulations 2015 (the principal regulations). The amendments to the principal regulations align with amendments that are being made at the same time to Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2016 and to the Road User Charges Regulations 2012 (the RUC regulations).

The amendments to that rule remove permit requirements for 50MAX vehicles (a type of high-productivity motor vehicle) and instead require operators of 50MAX vehicles to meet pro forma specifications and operate only on the approved 50MAX road network. The removal of those permit requirements has been accelerated as part of the Government’s fuel crisis response to relieve compliance costs for the heavy vehicle industry, which is under strain due to high fuel costs.

The amendments to the principal regulations amend the description of road user charge (RUC) vehicle type number 408 in Schedule 1 of the principal regulations and remove 5 Type H vehicle type numbers from Schedule 4 of the principal regulations. The amendments also insert 2 new RUC vehicle type numbers into Schedule 1. The effect of the amendments to the principal regulations and to the RUC regulations is that, despite the amendments to Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2016, operators of 50MAX vehicles will continue to pay the same RUC rates as they are currently paying.

These regulations must be confirmed by an Act before the close of 30 June 2027. If they are not confirmed, they will be revoked on the close of that date. See subpart 3 of Part 5 of the Legislation Act 2019.