New Zealand RUC purchasing and vehicle management in one app, with over-the-counter retail access planned from 2027.
RUC Pass is a New Zealand RUC purchasing and vehicle-management service owned and operated by RUC on Rails Limited, a Dunedin-based road-user-charges technology startup. RUC Pass is not a separate legal entity or government service. The company says its purchasing service is available through iOS, Android and a desktop web app. Drivers add a vehicle by registration plate, select the distance they need and submit payment through the service. RUC Pass facilitates the requested purchase; its terms state that coverage does not begin until a RUC licence or temporary licence has been issued. A temporary licence is typically provided within 12 hours, while a physical label may be sent by NZTA or another relevant public agency to the vehicle's registered address. The service can hold up to 10 vehicles and displays RUC, WoF, registration, odometer, order and invoice information without requiring GPS hardware or location tracking. RUC Pass is also developing physical Standard, Student and Super Gold passes and an over-the-counter retail channel. The pass range and retail channel remain forthcoming, with the company targeting a 2027 rollout through participating stores using existing point-of-sale systems. Student and Super Gold benefits have not yet been finalised. The retail model remains subject to regulatory approval and no nationwide counter network is currently verified. Within the RUC on Rails group, RUC Pass is the purchasing product. RUC Hub provides information and market intelligence, while RUC Compare helps drivers compare providers before choosing where to buy.
RUC Pass says its light-vehicle purchasing and management service is available through iOS, Android and a desktop web app. Drivers link a registration plate, select RUC distance and submit payment. An accepted purchase generally produces a temporary licence or confirmation within 12 hours; processing is not guaranteed to be instantaneous.
One account can manage up to 10 vehicles, displaying RUC, WoF, registration, odometer information, order history, licences and invoices. The current app does not require GPS hardware or location tracking.
Physical passes intended for online and future over-the-counter RUC purchases. Standard is intended for light-vehicle owners; Student and Super Gold versions are planned for verified members of those groups. Their exact additional benefits have not been finalised.
An over-the-counter product targeted for 2027. Participating retailers are intended to scan a pass and accept payment through existing point-of-sale systems while RUC on Rails handles licensing, compliance and support. The channel remains subject to regulatory approval and is not a verified operating nationwide network.
RUC on Rails Limited began developing RUC Pass as its consumer RUC purchasing product, combining digital vehicle management with a future over-the-counter channel.
In June, RUC on Rails said it submitted on proposed regulations for the future RUC provider market, seeking technology-neutral and proportionate regulation, stronger privacy safeguards, clear agent responsibilities and workable alternative-payment settings.
RUC on Rails announced the official RUC Pass app launch on 15 July, describing availability through iOS, Android and the web. The service supports RUC purchase requests, vehicle compliance information, order records and invoices for up to 10 vehicles.
RUC Pass published plans for Standard, Student and Super Gold physical passes and an over-the-counter retail rollout from 2027, subject to the applicable regulatory framework. Exact group-specific benefits remain under development.
Co-founder & CEO, RUC on Rails
A University of Otago commerce graduate, Johnston spent six years at Delivereasy, beginning as a driver and later becoming a regional operations manager. He leads RUC on Rails strategy, partnerships, government and industry engagement, consumer research, and go-to-market work, and sits on the governance board of ITS New Zealand. His RUC research and industry work informs RUC Pass's focus on privacy, payment choice, and practical access for light-vehicle drivers.
Co-founder, CTO & Director, RUC on Rails
Pascoe is an AWS-certified engineer with experience across public-sector software, startups, and transport technology, including New Plymouth's public transport mobile app. After moving from operations into technology development during four years at Delivereasy, he co-built RUC Pass and the operating systems behind RUC on Rails. He leads the app, architecture, integrations, transaction systems, and wider platform engineering.
RUC Pass is the purchasing and vehicle-management product in the RUC on Rails group. The company says the service is available through mobile and web channels and is developing physical passes and a future retail-counter channel. RUC on Rails has also participated in the development of the future provider framework through submissions to Parliament and the Ministry of Transport.
9362845
9429053041746
NZ Limited Company
08 Aug 2025
Hobson Towers, 26 Hobson Street, Suite 15587, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
M700050 - Development of customised computer software nec
Adam Johnston
Dunedin, New Zealand
Briyarne Pascoe
Dunedin, New Zealand
1,000,000 total shares
Adam Johnston
500,000 shares · Dunedin, New Zealand
Briyarne Pascoe
500,000 shares · Dunedin, New Zealand
Source: NZ Companies Office · Last checked February 2026
View on Companies Register
Top up your RUC in a few taps, and keep WoF, Rego & RUC on track in one place.
