Nearly all vehicles must meet a range of vehicle and equipment standards before you can register them for use on New Zealand roads. Some vehicles may not need to meet all of these standards.

Standards that apply to your vehicle

Exceptions for older vehicles

Exceptions for left-hand drives and temporary imports

Exceptions for vehicles not meeting all required standards

Exceptions for cycles and motorcycles

Other exceptions

Exceptions for older vehicles

Manufactured before 1990

Vehicles manufactured before 1990 may be excluded from many of the standards requirements. However, your vehicle must still meet the general safety requirements in the Land Transport Rules, and it must have at least front seat passenger safety belts if manufactured after 1955.

A historic vehicle must meet the safety requirements applying at the time it was manufactured. 

Over 20 years old 

Cars over 20 years old don’t have to meet frontal impact standards.

Frontal impact standards(external link)

You can contact the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand for more information and guidance.

Vintage Car Club of New Zealand(external link)

Exceptions for left-hand drives and temporary imports

In most cases, if you bring a left-hand drive vehicle to New Zealand, you'll need to have it converted. You may be able to get an exemption for a light vehicle that is for your own use. 

Importing a left-hand drive vehicle

You may not need to meet these standards if you’re temporarily importing your vehicle (usually for less than 12 months).

Importing a vehicle temporarily

Exceptions for vehicles not meeting all required standards

Where your vehicle meets some but not all the standards, you may be able to apply for an exemption. There's no guarantee this will be granted. We consider applications on a case-by-case basis against criteria set in legislation.

Section 168D of the Land Transport Act 1998(external link)

Section 168E of the Land Transport Act 1998(external link)

Apply for an exemption from land transport vehicle rules (CA11)(external link)

Before bringing a vehicle to New Zealand it's best to ensure that any vehicle you're planning to import meets all our standards.

Importing a used vehicle

Exceptions for cycles and motorcycles

Cycles and power-assisted cycles don't have to meet standards, though they must still be safe on the road.

Motorcycles don’t have to meet emissions standards.

Other exceptions

Your vehicle may not have to meet all the standards if: