Ticketed for no WOF, hours after getting one

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Ticketed for no WOF, hours after getting one

3News NZ

Drivers can be fined $200 for not having an up-to-date Warrant of Fitness

Drivers can be fined $200 for not having an up-to-date Warrant of Fitness

If you drive a car, you have to have a Warrant Of Fitness. And if you're caught without one, it’s a $200 fine.

But what happens in a case like Bob’s?

Bob had a warrant, and he can prove it, but the police still issued him a ticket for not having one.

So could it happen to you?

Anna Burns-Francis talked with one very annoyed motorist – watch the video.

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Comments

24/11/2012 8:08:27 a.m.

Mike wrote:

I saw a van which was involved in an accident (damp road, slid off the road through a fence) and the police took around 90 minutes to get to the accident.

In that time the owner of the vehicle had managed to get a friend to issue a warrent for the van with no warrent, plus somehow the sticker was replaced.

Police when arrived looked at the van, saw the current warrent sticker dated the same day and thought garbage. A quick look at the vehicle saw 3 balding tyres that would fail a warrent. In that case they said they were going to go the person who issued the warrent.

If you get a warrent, they give you the sheet with everything marked as pass/fail on it. If the vehicle had a warrent this could have been shown to the officer and problem solved. Even if it had failed a warrent, and show the police this they will tend to give you the benefit of the doubt unless your an a-hole or you have a history of no warrents etc.

Police are generally good to deal with. Treat police as you would like to be treated, and everything goes much smoother. Dont lie to police, as 99% of the time its obvious and that will only get peoples backs up.

I've had a warrent once, where they did the warrent, one person removed the old sticker, but went on a 'break' and another saw it was all done, didn't notice the sticker not replaced, sent the vehicle away. Missing a sticker can happen, but as a driver from a WOF best to check you have a sticker. I've also seen a WOF replaced incorrectly with 6 months when the vehicle allowed 12 months. Best check it before drive off. While the sticker may be missed, I've never seen a warrent miss the check sheet.

20/11/2012 3:52:28 p.m.

Shannen wrote:

i remember a story about a high % of cop cars that dont have warrants..regos or lack both..very hypocritical

19/11/2012 9:34:03 p.m.

Annie wrote:

I don't see how he could have a WOF with no sticker. Remind me not to go to Perth if you don't need a WOF. What an appalling thought. Who decides that the car's looked after ? The owner, as he thinks that the tyres aren't COMPLETELY bald and the brakes work if you use enough force ?

19/11/2012 7:53:31 p.m.

John wrote:

The law requires that your warrant be clearly displayed. Was this Gentleman's warrant displayed, it sounded like it may not have been. If this was the case, then I would expect that a ticket would be issued. However, if this was the case, then one would expect that common sense would prevail, and the Police, after checking would have reversed it's decision. The important thing to keep in mind, is, make sure your warrant is current, and clearly displayed as required by law. Police could focus on other seriously overlooked issues such as drivers from foreign countries who drive on an expired 1 year license, which is in breach of the law(If after one year, these drivers have not completed an "Overseas Conversion", they are required to drive with a supervisor at all times). The problem here, is that the cardigan wearing imbecilic geriatrics known as LTSA in their infinite wisdom decided to make these licenses the same colour as a full New Zealand license which the Police cannot distinguish from a normal full New Zealand License, thus allowing these people to knowingly (And they know) break the law with impunity.

19/11/2012 6:06:20 p.m.

JC wrote:

The rule is to have a WOF and to display it. It the warrant was not displayed he deserved to be fined.

19/11/2012 9:08:40 a.m.

Jeremy wrote:

It has happened to me. I was pulled over on my motorcycle at around 10pm one night. It was very dark and the officer did not have a torch on him. He said he could not read my WOF (probably because he didnt have his torch on him) and proceeded to give me a ticket. I was able to get off it apon proving I had a WOF, was rediculous however.

18/11/2012 12:38:31 p.m.

John wrote:

@David - corrupt policing in other countries doesn't justify corrupt policing here. And the government pay the police.

17/11/2012 9:33:42 p.m.

Baldy wrote:

Reading this from Perth.Over here as long as you maintain the vehicle and keep it registered it doesnt need a WOF. The NZ system is a ripoff designed to produce revenue for VTNZ and the police/Govt. I was astounded when I joined the kiwi diaspora, after a lifetime of dealing with my home country's petty bureacracy, to find a refreshingly simple setup over here. For those fed up with NZ costs and poor wages, dont wait, make the move to OZ.

17/11/2012 9:29:55 p.m.

David wrote:

boo hoo, if he has a warrant then take proof to a Police Station, show them and the ticket will be cancelled. BIG DEAL!!!! WOF details are entered into the LTSA computer system not Police, LTSA system must then update the Police system and it doesn't do it everytime someone gets a WOF. Hardly story worthy. @John + @Ridley you clearly no nothing about living in another country if you think NZ Police are bad. BTW revenue gathered from tickets goes to the government, not Police.

17/11/2012 4:52:11 p.m.

alan wrote:

So how exactly did "he bring the car in" that day for its check as it had no warrant. On a flatbed I presume?