A new requirement that mopeds be visually inspected and have a vehicle identification number (VIN) for entry to the New Zealand vehicle fleet will help ensure better safety standards as well as prevent motorcycles being fraudulently registered as mopeds.
Ensuring mopeds (motorcycles not exceeding 50cc and with a top speed not exceeding 50 km/h) are visually inspected before being registered in New Zealand will mean it will not be possible to register substandard and non-compliant bikes.
Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Standards Compliance Amendment 2011 introduces the requirement because there have been cases of substandard mopeds entering the country with defects including faulty steering and poor-quality shock absorbers.
Requiring mopeds to have a VIN will ensure that they comply with New Zealand safety standards. The new requirement will also remove the possibility of falsely registering larger motorcycles as mopeds.
The new requirement comes into force on 1 July 2011.
For more information on requirements for mopeds and motorcycles visit www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicle/classes-standards/standards/motorcycles.html(external link)
