Feature article
Car registration in NZ
Vehicle licensing fee, or rego as we commonly call it, is a legal requirement of driving your vehicle on the road in NZ.
Last updated: 22 August 2024
A legal requirement of driving your vehicle on the road in New Zealand is having to pay a vehicle licensing fee, or rego as we commonly call it. That's that little label that you have to display on the left-hand side of your windscreen.
The vehicle licensing fee helps pay for the road network in New Zealand. The fund is used to help pay for new roads and to maintain the existing byways.
It is the responsibility of the registered owner of a vehicle to ensure that said vehicle has a valid rego. The expiry date of your rego is displayed clearly on the label.
How do I renew my rego?
This is pretty easy. Usually, you’ll receive a reminder notice either in the mail or in your inbox from the NZTA. And all you have to do is follow the instructions on this notice, which will prompt you to do it online. There is even a QR code you can scan with your mobile device that will take you exactly where you need to go online. Once there, you fill in the details, pay the fee (either with a credit card or via online banking) and they will send out a new licence in the post. And then all you have to do is remember to display the label on your windscreen, otherwise you'll get fine. One other thing, your vehicle has to have a current warrant of fitness to get a rego.
If for some reason, you can't use the Internet, then you have to wander along to a Post Shop or an office of the AA, VTNZ or VINZ. Here you will have to fill in a form, join the line and wait. And wait some more. And then when you’re next in line, the administrator behind the desk will go on a break. And so finally after waiting an eternity, you can pay the fee and they'll print you out a rego label. The icing on the cake is that they charge you more in administration fees too, with $11.99 added to the cost of the licensing period.
What does a rego cost?
This depends on what sort of vehicle you have. Currently, the rego cost is $107 for a petrol or electric private passenger vehicle for 12 months, while a diesel powered vehicle costs $174. A motorcycle can cost between $396 and $522, depending on the size of its engine. There are also different fees for goods trucks and vans.
You can also choose to pay for three month or six month periods, but you’ll save a bit of cash by paying it annually. And you’ll only pay one administration fee.
What happens if you don't renew your rego?
You'll be breaking the law under the Land Transport Act 1998. If you happen to get stopped at a checkpoint, the police can issue you a fine and so will the helpful parking wardens around New Zealand when they spot your expired rego label.
If you've bought a vehicle without a current rego, then you'll need to pay for one from the date of purchase. However it is the previous owner’s responsibility to pay for any outstanding fees prior to this. But generally speaking, don't buy a car without a current warrant of fitness and registration.
What if you won't be using your car?
If you are not going to use your vehicle for more than three months, say you're going to store it while you're away or you're taking it off the road for a restoration, you can apply for a licence exemption. This is free, and it ensures your vehicle’s registration doesn't lapse. If a vehicle is unlicensed for 12 months or more, it will be deregistered. When this happens, you will have to go through the costly procedure of complying the vehicle again to get a new registration.
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Author
Kyle has been reviewing cars since starting at NZ Autocar magazine in 2003 and has been editor since 2009. In that time he’s become an expert on what makes for a good vehicle while also gaining insights into the local automotive industry.
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