CVSCs Now Screening for Potential Work-Time Breaches
Commercial Vehicle Safety Centres (CVSCs) across New Zealand are now automatically checking for potential work-time breaches, adding an extra layer of real-time compliance monitoring for commercial drivers.
Starting from 27 January 2026, if a vehicle passes one or more CVSCs within a certain timeframe, it might trigger an alert about a possible work-time breach. When that happens, the vehicle can be pulled into a CVSC in real time, where Police can check driver logbooks and do other compliance checks.
This change means drivers who might not be meeting work-time rules can expect to face more scrutiny at CVSCs, especially those traveling through multiple sites during their trip.
What CVSCs are screening for
Automatic screening will assess whether a driver may have:
Worked more than 5.5 hours without taking a 30-minute break
Worked more than 13 hours before taking a 10-hour break
Not started their 10-hour break early enough for it to be completed within a 24-hour work period
Worked more than 70 hours without a 24-hour break
These assessments are based on vehicle movement data and are used to identify potential breaches, not confirm offences on their own.
Whitelisting and exemptions
To avoid unnecessary stops, appropriate vehicles will be whitelisted. This includes vehicles where:
Driver changeovers are known to occur, or
The operator is part of an approved Alternative Fatigue Management System (AFMS)
Whitelisted vehicles will not be directed into a CVSC specifically for potential work-time breaches. However, they may still be required to stop for other compliance matters.
Why this matters
NZTA has already been using this data to inform investigations and audits. Adding work-time breach assessments to real-time CVSC screening allows NZTA and Police to act sooner, rather than relying on follow-up checks after the fact.
As more CVSCs become operational, this system will provide a broader national picture of potential work-time breaches as vehicles move across the country.
For operators and drivers, this reinforces the importance of accurate logbooks, proper break management, and understanding work-time rules. Need help with work-time or fatigue management? Talk to us.
