Managing RUC records for off-road travel and refund claims

Some RUC-licensed vehicles travel on private roads, worksites, farms, forests, or other eligible off-road locations. Good records are essential when an operator wants to support a refund claim for qualifying distance.

Why evidence matters

An off-road claim needs more than an estimate. Operators should be able to show where the vehicle travelled, when the travel occurred, and how the eligible distance was calculated.

When records are assembled months later from driver notes and spreadsheets, gaps are common. Capturing information as part of the normal vehicle workflow makes the claim process easier to review and explain.

• Vehicle and registration details.
• Dates and locations of off-road activity.
• Opening and closing distance readings.
• Supporting route, job, or telematics records.
• A consistent method for separating eligible and on-road distance.

Build the process into normal operations

The best record is one created close to the event. Agree on what drivers or systems need to capture, where that information is stored, and who reviews it before a claim is prepared.

Connected vehicle data may help reduce manual entry, but every operator should confirm that its process and evidence meet the current eligibility and record-keeping requirements.

Check the current rules

Eligibility can depend on the vehicle, journey, and evidence available. Review current NZ Transport Agency guidance or seek professional advice before submitting a claim. A digital system supports the process, but it does not replace the operator’s responsibility to make an accurate claim.