Get a warrant of fitness or certificate of fitness

A warrant of fitness (WoF) or certificate of fitness inspection is a regular check to make sure your vehicle is safe.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

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Waka Kotahi NZTA

Warrants of fitness

It’s illegal to drive a car without a current WoF label.

Warrant of fitness — Waka Kotahi NZTA

Brand new vehicles

If your vehicle is brand new and has never been registered, it’ll be given an initial WoF inspection and issued with a WoF for 3 years.

Vehicles less than 3 years old

If your vehicle is:

  • less than 2 years old, the WoF will be issued to the third anniversary of when it was first registered
  • between 2 and 3 years old, the WoF will be issued for 12 months.

Older vehicles

You have to get a warrant of fitness check every:

  • 12 months if your vehicle was first registered anywhere in the world on or after 1 January 2000
  • 6 months if your vehicle was first registered anywhere in the world before 1 January 2000.

Certificates of fitness

You need to get a certificate of fitness instead of a warrant of fitness if you own:

  • a heavy vehicle — like a truck, large trailer or a motor home
  • a passenger service vehicle — like a taxi, shuttle or bus
  • a rental vehicle.

You need to have a certificate of fitness check every 6 months.

Certificate of fitness — Waka Kotahi NZTA

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