Anyone using New Zealand’s roads contributes towards their upkeep. Most road users pay levies in the price of their fuel. Others pay through road user charges (RUC).
The revenue collected from road user charges is dedicated to the National Land Transport Fund (NLTF). The NLTF funds new roads, improvements and maintenance, public transport, road safety, and walking and cycling.
You must buy RUC if your vehicle weighs over 3500kg GVM (manufacturer’s gross vehicle mass).
You must buy RUC if your vehicle is powered by:
This includes diesel hybrids and plug-in hybrids.
You don’t have to buy RUC if your vehicle only uses:
This includes petrol hybrids that can’t plug in to charge.
Some vehicles are exempt from RUC if they’re:
Electric vehicles are also exempt from RUC if they weigh:
Vehicles exempt from paying RUC
You need to buy a RUC licence based on your vehicle’s RUC weight and RUC vehicle type.
Every RUC vehicle needs a distance licence.
You buy this in 1000km units (621 miles) or multiples of 1000.
When you buy RUC you pre-pay for the distance you're going to travel. You must buy a new licence before you’ve driven all the distance covered by your current licence.
If you have a permit to carry loads heavier than your permanent RUC weight you can:
apply for an additional licence, or
change your towing vehicle to an H vehicle type.
Your RUC vehicle type is determined by:
Note: Single large-tyred axles are classified as single-tyred axles for the purposes of the Road User Charges Act 2012.
You might be able to change your RUC vehicle type to minimise costs if your vehicle:
Vehicles which are changed to types 308, 309, 408, 929 or 939 can only operate in the specified combinations.
You'll need to complete an application to change your RUC vehicle type to a 308, 309, 408, 929 or 939 vehicle type.
Application to change RUC vehicle type (RUCCV)
Every vehicle is allocated a RUC weight.
The RUC weight of a vehicle is the lesser of the:
gross vehicle mass (GVM) for the RUC vehicle. Every vehicle should have a manufacturer's recommended maximum weight
maximum allowable mass for the RUC vehicle under Part 3 schedule 3 of the Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Rule 2016.
Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Rule 2016 (VDAM Rule).
The RUC weight of your vehicle determines the band your vehicle will fit in, which determines the rate you'll pay.
If you're using a permit allowing you to carry loads heavier than your RUC weight, you must either:
apply for an additional licence covering the extra weight for each individual load carried under the permit. This is for vehicles that carry overweight loads once in a while. You'll need to buy an additional licence from one of our agents using a RUCAD form
or
change your towing vehicle to an H RUC vehicle type and have an H distance licence. This option is for vehicles that run overweight most of the time.
You'll need to complete an application to change to an H RUC vehicle type.
Application to change to H RUC vehicle type (RUCCV-H).
The permit must be issued under the Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2016. You can find out more about this and high productivity motor vehicles (HPMV) on the HPMV page.
High productivity motor vehicles
RUC rates and transaction fees
If you know your RUC type and weight, you can use our RUC calculator to see your rate.
If you buy a RUC vehicle, make sure it has a current RUC licence displayed - that means the vehicle hasn't travelled past the max distance on the label. You'll become liable for any unlicensed distance if the licence isn’t current. Waka Kotahi doesn't get involved in negotiations of reimbursement between the buyer and seller of the vehicle.
If you can't check the RUC licence on the vehicle, call 0800 655 644 to check the licence is current.
If you're selling a RUC vehicle you must make sure the RUC licence is current. It's an offence to sell a vehicle without a current RUC licence.
Unused road user charges licences should be sold with the vehicle. RUC licences belong to the vehicle they were bought for and can't be transferred to another vehicle. It's your responsibility to make sure the buyer reimburses you for any unused distance as you can't get a refund.
If a vehicle has a major modification that changes the GVM or the axle and wheel configuration, your RUC vehicle type or weight could change. This may also change your RUC rate.
You'll need to complete an Application to change motor vehicle details (MR16).
Download an MR16 form [PDF, 81 KB]
Electronic RUC provides a simple, more efficient way of administering RUC. It automates the purchasing process, has better accuracy when recording distance, and provides supporting records for any off-road running to help with off-road refund claims.
Independent agents who display the Waka Kotahi logo.
Read Road user charges: light vehicles (Factsheet 38) [PDF, 630 KB]
