Transport

Buying a used car

Transfer a vehicle into your name — and check it is not stolen and there’s no money owing against it.

Registering your new car or truck

Cars, vans, motorcycles, mopeds and trucks need to be registered and issued number plates to be legally driven on our roads.

Disputes when buying a car

If you've bought a vehicle and something goes wrong, your rights depend on if you bought it from a motor vehicle trader or privately.

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.

Modifying a vehicle

You can modify, customise or retune your car, motorcycle, van or ute — but you may need a low volume vehicle (LVV) certification to get a WoF.

Vehicle licensing and road user charges

To be on the road legally, your car needs to have a current licence. You’ll also need to pay road user charges (RUC) if your vehicle runs on diesel or electricity, or both — including plug-in vehicles that run on petrol.

Renew your driver licence

For most people, your driver licence is valid for 10 years. The NZTA will send you a renewal reminder letter about 8 weeks before your photo driver licence is due to expire (if they have your current address).

Get your driver licence

Getting your car driver licence in New Zealand is a 3-step process. As you progress through the stages you gain a new licence with fewer requirements and more responsibilities.

Replace your driver licence if it’s been lost or stolen

If you lose your licence or it’s been stolen, replace it as soon as you can — you can be fined for driving without it.

Convert your overseas driver licence

If you have an overseas driver licence and you’ve been in New Zealand more than a year, you need to convert to an NZ driver licence to keep driving here legally.

Driving in NZ if you are visiting

Visitors don’t need a New Zealand driver licence to drive in New Zealand but you must meet some conditions.

Changing your name on your driver licence

Fines, penalties and losing your licence

You must follow the road rules for your safety and the safety of others when you drive. If you do not, you can be fined or have your driver licence or car taken off you.

Pay a speeding ticket or traffic infringement

You pay speeding tickets and Police infringement notices, for example for not wearing a seatbelt, directly to the Police.

Alcohol interlocks

An alcohol interlock is an electronic device that prevents you from driving if you’ve been drinking.