Motorcycles and mopeds

Classes of motorcycles and mopeds

There are two classes of mopeds:

There are three classes of motorcycles:

Vehicle has to meet standard if made on or after...	What sort of standard?	Under what legislation?
1 January 2006	Headlamps Stop lamps	Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004
1 January 2006	If fitted: Daytime running lamps Forward-facing position lamps Front fog lamps High-mounted stop lamps Rear fog lamps Rearward-facing position lamps Reversing lamps	Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004
27 February 2005	Installation standard for lighting on this class of vehicles OR fitting requirements in lighting rule*	Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004
1 October 2002	Light-vehicle brakes	Land Transport Rule: Light-vehicle Brakes 2002
1 January 1996	Direction indicators	Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004
1 January 1992	Rear reflectors	Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004
*The number, position and performance of lighting equipment on vehicles manufactured after 27 February 2005 must meet either an installation standard or the relevant requirements in 3.3, 4.3, 6.3, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 8.3 and 9.3 of Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004.

You must register and license your moped – though you don’t need to get a regular warrant of fitness inspection.
Your moped must be entry certified when first put on the road in New Zealand.

Vehicle has to meet standard if made on or after...	What sort of standard?	Under what legislation?
1 January 2006	Headlamps Registration-plate illumination lamps Stop lamps	Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004
1 January 2006	If fitted: Daytime running lamps Forward-facing position lamps Front fog lamps High-mounted stop lamps Rear fog lamps Rearward-facing position lamps Reversing lamps	Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004
27 February 2005	Installation standard for lighting on this class of vehicles OR fitting requirements in lighting rule**	Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004
1 October 2002	Light-vehicle brakes	Land Transport Rule: Light-vehicle Brakes 2002
1 October 2002	Tyres and wheels*	Land Transport Rule: Tyres and Wheels 2001
1 January 1996	Direction indicators	Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004
1 January 1992	Rear reflectors	Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004
* You may fit tyres that meet New Zealand standards to your vehicle after it arrives in the country. **The number, position and performance of lighting equipment on vehicles manufactured after 27 February 2005 must meet EITHER an installation standard (external link) OR the relevant requirements in 3.3, 4.3, 6.3, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 8.3 and 9.3 of Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004.

Here's how mopeds and motorcycles differ across a range of vehicle and driver requirements.

	Mopeds	Motorcycles
Registration and licensing	'Moped' means a motor vehicle (other than a power-assisted pedal cycle) that has— (a) 2 or 3 wheels; and (b) a maximum speed not exceeding 50 kilometres per hour; and (c) either— (i) an engine cylinder capacity not exceeding 50 cc; or (ii) a power source other than a piston engine	'Motorcycle' means a motor vehicle running on two wheels or not more than three wheels when fitted with a sidecar, and includes a vehicle with motorcycle controls that is approved as a motorcycle by the Transport Agency, but does not include a moped.
Vehicle standards	Under vehicle standards, mopeds must meet requirements of vehicle classes LA or LB.	Under vehicle standards, motorcycles must meet the requirements of vehicle classes LC, LD or LE.
Warrant of fitness (WoF) inspection	Aren’t required to be regularly inspected for a WoF.	Must be regularly inspected for a WoF.
Driver licence	Riders can hold any New Zealand driver licence (eg car driver licence) to ride a moped.	Riders must have a motorcycle driver licence to ride a motorcycle.

Both must be designed and constructed to meet vehicle standards for lighting, brakes and tyres.
They must both be registered and licensed before you can use them on the road.
You must securely fix and clearly display the number plate at the rear of your vehicle.
You must wear an approved safety helmet.
You cannot ride motorcycles or mopeds on the footpath.
You can ride both along bus lanes and transit lanes – unless signs posted on the lane prohibit it.

It’s illegal to register a motorcycle as a moped.
It’s unsafe to drive a motorcycle without the proper driver training and driver licence.
It’s illegal and unsafe to ride either type of vehicle without an approved helmet to protect you. We also recommend you wear other safety clothing, such as protective gloves and footwear.

Check out Ride Forever(external link), a website for motorcyclists that includes advice on road awareness.