Registering your vehicle

All cars and vans go through an inspection and registration process where they get a licence label and registration (number) plates. This usually happens when the vehicle first enters New Zealand.

The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) is the main agency for information about vehicle registration and regulations. The NZTA website has information on:

• the registration process
• exemptions from registering
• where to get your vehicle registered
• what ID you require.

Registering your vehicle

Importing a vehicle

If you’re importing a vehicle, you need to meet other requirements before you can register your vehicle.

Importing a vehicle 

Registration fees

Vehicle registration fees

Registration plates

Your vehicle will be issued standard plates when it’s registered.

Go to the NZTA website to:

• buy or transfer your own personalised plates
• order duplicate plates if your old ones were lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged
• get extra plates if fittings such as bike racks or trailers cover your permanent plates.

Number plates

Cancelling and re-registering your vehicle

You can cancel your registration if your vehicle is:

• destroyed
• written off by the insurance company
• permanently removed from NZ
• significantly modified.

How to cancel your registration

Re-register your vehicle if you want to drive it on the road again after you’ve heavily modified it or cancelled your registration.

Re-registering your vehicle

Keeping your details up to date

Check what you need to do as the registered owner such as updating your address when you move and getting warrant of fitness (WOF) checks done on time.

Your responsibilities