Personal information is protected
The personal information we hold on the register is protected by privacy laws. For that reason, if you need somebody's personal information from us, you must have a very good reason for asking for it.
We have a duty to:
- protect personal information
- release personal information only where the public interest (the benefit for the common good or general welfare of all) outweighs the personal interest of the person requesting the information and the privacy rights of the individual.
If your application is approved, we also must release your name and the reason you applied for the personal details to the person concerned if they ask us.
Your application may be declined
The protection around personal information means the type of information we can give out depends on who's asking for it and why they need it.
The law only permits the release of personal information for the following purposes:
- enforcement of the law
- maintenance of the security of New Zealand
- collection of charges imposed or authorised by an enactment
- the administration and development of transport law and policy, and
- where the public interest outweighs the privacy of the individual concerned.
We can't tell you if your application would be declined before you submit it, because each request for information is different and considered on a case-by-case basis.
We can tell you that your application will most likely be declined unless you provide some exceptional evidence showing a good reason for needing the information and it fits the legislated criteria listed above.
For example:
- your application is likely to be declined if you see a vehicle you like and you want to approach the owner to make an offer to buy it. A person who wants to sell their vehicle will make that fact known without needing to be approached about it.
We may direct you to another organisation
In some cases we may advise you to approach another organisation for the information you need.
For example:
- we're likely to direct you to another organisation if your vehicle is involved in an accident and you need to contact the owner of the other vehicle. Vehicle accidents are a matter for the police and they can access the same information. Your insurance company also has access to the same information to work on any insurance issues.
There is no charge for this service.
Apply online for registered person name and address (MR31)
