RUC rates and transaction fees

Road user charges rates

Check the tables below to see the rates for your vehicle type:

Read the Road User Charges (Rates) Amendment Regulations 2020(external link)

RUC licences for heavy vehicles with a GVM of over 3500kg will expire one month after any rate increase.

This means within one month of a rate change when buying a new RUC licence an operator is required to buy an ‘overlap’ licence that starts from the current hubodometer reading. The end distance of this licence must exceed or be equal to the current licence end distance.

Any unused portion of the current licence is automatically credited against the cost of the new licence.

RUC licences for light vehicles (up to 3500kg) will not expire.

RUC administration fees

An administration fee applies to all types of RUC licence.

Purchasing method Administration fee (including GST) per licence
Online $12.44
Counter sales at agents $13.71

RUC rates for distance licences for powered vehicles (except H vehicle types)

RUC rates are $ per 1000km, GST inclusive

RUC vehicle type number Description and example
(images are indicative only)
Weight bands RUC rate
1 Powered vehicles with 2 axles (except type 2, type 12 or type 299 vehicles)

Up to 3500kg 76
3501kg - 6000kg 82
6001kg - 9000kg 167
Any RUC weight over 9000kg 352
12

Plug-in petrol hybrid vehicles with 2 axles

1001 - 3500kg 38
2 Powered vehicles with one single-tyred spaced axle and one twin-tyred spaced axle
Up to 6000kg 80
6001kg - 9000kg 126
9001kg - 12,000kg 172
Any RUC weight over 12,000kg 315
311 (Bus) Powered passenger service vehicles with 3 axles
Up to 18,000kg 336
Any weight over 18,000kg 413
6 Powered vehicles with 3 axles, (except type 308, 309, 311, 399 or 413 vehicles)
Up to 12,000kg 110
12,001kg - 18,000kg 356
Any RUC weight over 18,000kg 434
14 Powered vehicles with 4 axles (except type 408, 414 or type 499 vehicles)

All RUC weights 435
19 Powered vehicles with 5 or more axles (except type 599 vehicles)
All RUC weights 389
308 Towing vehicles with 3 axles that are part of a combination vehicle with a total of at least 8 axles
All RUC weights 431
408 Towing vehicles with 4 axles that are part of a combination vehicle with a total of at least 8 axles
All RUC weights 401
309 Towing vehicles with 3 axles that are part of a combination vehicle with a total of at least 9 axles
All RUC weights 346

RUC rates for distance licences for powered vehicles [PDF, 462 KB]

RUC rates for distance licences for unpowered vehicles

RUC rates are $ per 1000km, GST inclusive

RUC vehicle type number Description Weight bands RUC rate
24 Unpowered vehicles with one axle
All RUC weights 126
28 Unpowered vehicles with 2 axles (except vehicle types 29, 30 and 929)
Up to 10,000kg 48
Any RUC weight over 10,000kg 311
29 Unpowered vehicles with 2 twin-tyred, or single large-tyred close axles, (except vehicle type 929)
Up to 10,000kg 41
Any RUC weight over 10,000kg 139
30 Unpowered vehicles with 2 twin-tyred spaced axles
Up to 10,000kg 41
Any RUC weight over 10,000kg 234
33 Unpowered vehicles with 3 twin-tyred, or single large-tyred, close axles (except vehicle type 939)
All RUC weights 186
37 Unpowered vehicles with 3 axles, (except vehicle types 33 and 939)
Up to 10,000kg 44
Any RUC weight over 10,000kg 318
43 Unpowered vehicles with 4 axles
All RUC weights 238
951 Unpowered vehicles with 5 or more axles
All RUC weights 179
929 Leading trailer with 2 twin-tyred, or single large-tyred, close axles All RUC weights 101
939 Leading trailer with 3 twin-tyred, or single large-tyred, close axles
All RUC weights 67

RUC rates for distance licences for unpowered vehicles [PDF, 388 KB]

RUC rates for distance licences for all-terrain cranes

RUC rates are $ per 1000km, GST inclusive

RUC vehicle type number Description Weight bands RUC rate
299 Self-powered all-terrain cranes with 2 axles All RUC weights 279
399 Self-powered all-terrain cranes with 3 axles All RUC weights 392
499 Self-powered all-terrain cranes with 4 axles All RUC weights 364
599 Self-powered all-terrain cranes with 5 axles All RUC weights 320
699 Self-powered all-terrain cranes with 6 axles All RUC weights
799 Self-powered all-terrain cranes with 7 axles All RUC weights

An all-terrain crane is a non-load-carrying self-propelled vehicle designed solely or principally for lifting objects using a boom with lifting gear and with a tyre contact area of more than 1500cm2 per tyre.

RUC rates for distance licences for all-terrain cranes [PDF, 32 KB]

RUC for cranes

The details of how RUC applies to mobile cranes, and how RUC is calculated are outlined in a Waka Kotahi information sheet.

Road user charges for mobile cranes [PDF, 2 MB]

RUC rates for distance licences for vintage vehicles

RUC rates are $ per 1000km, GST inclusive

RUC vehicle type number Description Weight bands RUC rate
402 Vintage powered vehicle with 2 axles RUC weight over 12,000kg 222
403 Vintage powered vehicle with 3 axles Any RUC weight 195
404 Vintage powered vehicle with at least 4 axles Any RUC weight 200

A vintage powered vehicle means a motor vehicle that is more than 40 years old on the date that it is registered, reregistered or licensed, and is not used for commercial purposes.

Note: a vintage powered vehicle with 2 axles and a RUC weight of up to 12,000kg remains a RUC vehicle type 1 or 2.

RUC rates for distance licences for vintage vehicles [PDF, 32 KB]

RUC rates for distance licences for motor caravans

RUC rates are $ per 1000km, GST inclusive

RUC vehicle type number Description Weight bands RUC rate
413 Motor caravan with 3 axles RUC weight over 18,000kg 314
414 Motor caravan with 4 axles Any RUC weight 273

A motor caravan is a motor vehicle that:

  1. has more than one-half of the vehicle floor area permanently fitted out for accommodation by the inclusion of sleeping and cooking facilities; and

  2. is registered as a motor caravan on the register of motor vehicles maintained under section 234 of the Land Transport Act 1998.

but does not include a combination vehicle.

RUC rates for distance licences for motor caravans [PDF, 32 KB]

RUC rates for distance licences for overweight specialist RUC vehicles

RUC rates are $ per 1000km, GST inclusive

RUC vehicle type number Description RUC rate
660 Overweight 2-axle specialist vehicle with a permit weight up to 16,000kg. 552
661 Overweight 2-axle specialist vehicle with a permit weight of 16,001 kg - 18,000kg. 837
662 Overweight 3-axle specialist vehicle (other than a passenger service vehicle) with a permit weight up to 23,000kg. 541
663 Overweight 3-axle specialist vehicle (other than a passenger service vehicle) with a permit weight of 23,001kg - 25,000kg. 775
664 Overweight 4-axle specialist vehicle with a permit weight up to 27,000kg. 616
665 Overweight 4-axle specialist vehicle with a permit weight of 27,001kg - 29,000kg. 782
666 Overweight 2-axle specialist vehicle with a permit weight of 18,001kg - 20,000kg. 1087

RUC rates for distance licences for type H vehicles

These licences substitute for the standard type licences for the powered vehicles. They are to be used in combination with the appropriate standard licences for the related trailers.

RUC rates are $ per 1000km, GST inclusive

H vehicle type Description RUC rate
H01 Overweight powered passenger service vehicle with 3 axles, with a permit weight up to 25,000kg. 541
H61 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 6 RUC vehicle towing a type 33 RUC vehicle with a permit weight up to 42,000kg. 663
H62 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 6 RUC vehicle towing a type 33 RUC vehicle with a permit weight up to 44,000kg. 801
H71 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 6 RUC vehicle towing a type 43 RUC vehicle with a permit weight up to 48,000kg. 658
H73 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 6 RUC vehicle towing a type 43 RUC vehicle with a permit weight up to 50,000kg. 711
H74 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 6 RUC vehicle towing a type 43 RUC vehicle with a permit weight up to 53,000kg. 937
H77 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 14 RUC vehicle towing a type 33 RUC vehicle with a permit weight of 44,001kg - 48,000kg. 711
H81 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 14 RUC vehicle towing a type 43 RUC vehicle with a permit weight up to 48,000kg. 455
H82 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 14 RUC vehicle towing a type 43 RUC vehicle with a permit weight of 48,001kg - 53,000kg. 657
H83 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 14 RUC vehicle towing a type 43 RUC vehicle with a permit weight of 53,001kg - 58,000kg. 942
H84 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 6 RUC vehicle towing a type 939 RUC vehicle and a type 29 RUC vehicle with a permit weight up to 48,000kg. 472
H85 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 6 RUC vehicle towing a type 939 RUC vehicle and a type 29 RUC vehicle with a permit weight of 48,001kg - 53,000kg. 662
H75 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 6 RUC vehicle towing a type 951 RUC vehicle with a permit weight up to 48,000kg. 500
H76 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 6 RUC vehicle towing a type 951 RUC vehicle with a permit weight of 48,001kg - 53,000kg. 691
H91 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 19 RUC vehicle towing a type 43 RUC vehicle and with a permit weight up to 50,000kg. 389
H92 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 19 RUC vehicle towing a type 43 RUC vehicle with a permit weight of 50,001kg - 54,000kg. 470
H93 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 19 RUC vehicle towing a type 43 RUC vehicle with a permit weight of 54,001kg - 58,000kg. 632
H94 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 14 RUC vehicle towing a type 951 RUC vehicle with a permit weight up to 50,000kg. 435
H95 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 14 RUC vehicle towing a type 951 RUC vehicle with a permit weight of 50,001kg - 54,000kg. 525
H96 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 14 RUC vehicle towing a type 951 RUC vehicle with a permit weight of 54,001kg - 58,000kg. 688
H63 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 14 RUC vehicle towing a type 951 RUC vehicle with a permit weight of 58,001kg - 62,000kg. 842
H97 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 6 RUC vehicle towing a type 939 RUC vehicle and a type 33 RUC vehicle with a permit weight up to 50,000kg. 346
H98 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 6 RUC vehicle towing a type 939 RUC vehicle and a type 33 RUC vehicle with a permit weight of 50,001kg - 54,000kg. 453
H99 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 6 RUC vehicle towing a type 939 RUC vehicle and a type 33 RUC vehicle with a permit weight of 54,001kg - 58,000kg. 614
H72 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 6 RUC vehicle towing a type 929 RUC vehicle and a type 29 RUC vehicle with a permit weight up to 48,000kg. 659
H78 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 6 RUC vehicle towing a type 929 RUC vehicle and a type 29 RUC vehicle with a permit weight of 48,001kg - 50,000kg. 712
H79 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 6 RUC vehicle towing a type 929 RUC vehicle and a type 29 RUC vehicle with a permit weight of 50,001kg - 52,000kg. 938
H30 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 14 RUC vehicle towing a type 929 RUC vehicle and a type 33 RUC vehicle with a permit weight up to 50,000kg. 287
H31 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 14 RUC vehicle towing a type 929 RUC vehicle and a type 33 RUC vehicle with a permit weight of 50,001kg - 54,000kg. 424
H32 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 14 RUC vehicle towing a type 929 RUC vehicle and a type 33 RUC vehicle with a permit weight of 54,001kg - 58,000kg. 587
H33 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 14 RUC vehicle towing a type 939 RUC vehicle and a type 29 RUC vehicle with a permit weight up to 50,000kg. 359
H34 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 14 RUC vehicle towing a type 939 RUC vehicle and a type 29 RUC vehicle with a permit weight of 50,001kg - 54,000kg. 497
H35 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 14 RUC vehicle towing a type 939 RUC vehicle and a type 29 RUC vehicle with a permit weight of 54,001kg - 58,000kg. 658
H11 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 14 RUC vehicle towing a type 939 RUC vehicle and a type 33 RUC vehicle with a permit weight up to 55,000kg. 356
H12 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 14 RUC vehicle towing a type 939 RUC vehicle and a type 33 RUC vehicle with a permit weight of 55,001kg - 60,000kg. 525
H13 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 14 RUC vehicle towing a type 939 RUC vehicle and a type 33 RUC vehicle with a permit weight of 60,001kg - 63,000kg. 650
H14 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 6 RUC vehicle towing a type 43 RUC vehicle and a type 33 RUC vehicle with a permit weight up to 55,000kg. 198
H15 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 6 RUC vehicle towing a type 43 RUC vehicle and a type 33 RUC vehicle with a permit weight of 55,001kg - 60,000kg. 369
H36 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 19 RUC vehicle towing a type 951 RUC vehicle with a permit weight up to 55,000kg. 430
H37 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 19 RUC vehicle towing a type 951 RUC vehicle with a permit weight of 55,001kg - 60,000kg. 599
H38 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 19 RUC vehicle towing a type 951 RUC vehicle with a permit weight of 60,001kg - 63,000kg. 724
H17 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 14 RUC vehicle towing a type 43 RUC vehicle and a type 33 RUC vehicle with a permit weight up to 55,000kg. 117
H18 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 14 RUC vehicle towing a type 43 RUC vehicle and a type 33 RUC vehicle with a permit weight of 55,001kg - 60,000kg. 234
H19 Towing vehicle that is part of an overweight combination vehicle consisting of a type 14 RUC vehicle towing a type 43 RUC vehicle and a type 33 RUC vehicle with a permit weight of 60,001kg - 63,000kg. 317

RUC rates for distance licences for type H vehicles [PDF, 38 KB]

RUC rates for additional licences for powered vehicles

Additional licences must be bought for any vehicle operating on an overweight permit. The weights shown refer to the amount of additional weight allowed under the permit.

These licences are in addition to the standard licences that must also be carried by the vehicles concerned at all times.

Rates of road user charges for additional licences for powered RUC vehicles ($ per km, GST inclusive)

Additional weight (kg) Vehicle type
1 2 6 14 19
1000 0.56 0.83 0.52 0.74 0.47
2000 0.83 1.12 0.67 0.90 0.57
3000 1.17 1.44 0.86 1.07 0.68
4000 1.57 1.84 1.06 1.26 0.80
5000 2.05 2.31 1.31 1.48 0.94
6000 2.63 2.84 1.57 1.73 1.07
7000 3.32 3.46 1.85 2.00 1.23
8000 4.13 4.18 2.18 2.27 1.40
9000 5.06 4.99 2.56 2.59 1.59
10,000 6.13 5.91 2.96 2.95 1.79
11,000 7.38 6.95 3.40 3.30 2.00
12,000 8.77 8.11 3.88 3.71 2.23
13,000 10.35 9.41 4.41 4.15 2.47
14,000 12.15 10.87 4.98 4.61 2.75
15,000 14.17 12.46 5.61 5.12 3.02
16,000 16.41 14.23 6.30 5.65 3.32
17,000 18.92 16.17 7.04 6.25 3.65
18,000 21.69 18.33 7.86 6.87 3.99
19,000 24.77 20.67 8.71 7.54 4.37
20,000 28.15 23.24 9.65 8.26 4.76
Each 1000kg
over
20,000kg
3.69 2.79 1.01 0.77 0.41

RUC rates for additional licences for powered vehicles [PDF, 38 KB] [PDF, 38 KB]

RUC rates for additional licences for all-terrain cranes

Additional licences must be bought for any vehicle operating on an over-weight permit. The weights shown refer to the amount of additional weight allowed under the permit.

These licences are in addition to the standard licences that must also be carried by the vehicles concerned at all times.

Rates of road user charges for additional licences for all-terrain cranes ($ per km GST inclusive)

Additional weight (kg) Vehicle type
299 399 499 599 699 799
1000 0.19 0.22 0.40 0.60 0.84 0.99
2000 0.29 0.32 0.49 0.68 0.94 1.08
3000 0.43 0.43 0.61 0.79 1.03 1.19
4000 0.60 0.56 0.72 0.90 1.16 1.30
5000 0.78 0.72 0.84 1.01 1.26 1.40
6000 0.99 0.87 0.98 1.15 1.40 1.54
7000 1.24 1.05 1.14 1.28 1.54 1.64
8000 1.55 1.25 1.30 1.42 1.66 1.78
9000 1.87 1.47 1.47 1.58 1.82 1.91
10,000 2.25 1.73 1.66 1.76 1.97 2.06
11,000 2.69 2.00 1.87 1.93 2.15 2.22
12,000 3.18 2.30 2.11 2.11 2.32 2.38
13,000 3.71 2.62 2.36 2.31 2.51 2.55
14,000 4.33 2.98 2.61 2.54 2.71 2.72
15,000 5.00 3.37 2.89 2.76 2.90 2.90
16,000 5.75 3.79 3.20 3.00 3.12 3.09
17,000 6.58 4.24 3.52 3.25 3.36 3.30
18,000 7.49 4.73 3.86 3.52 3.59 3.51
19,000 8.49 5.28 4.23 3.81 3.85 3.73
20,000 9.58 5.84 4.63 4.12 4.12 3.96
Each 1000kg
over
20,000kg
1.20 0.63 0.41 0.32 0.27 0.24

RUC rates for additional licences for all-terrain cranes [PDF, 35 KB]

RUC rates for additional licences for combination vehicles

Additional licences must be bought for any combination vehicle operating on an over-weight permit. The weights shown refer to the amount of additional weight allowed under the permit. These licences are in addition to the standard licences that must also be carried by the vehicles concerned at all times.

Charges for additional licences for combination vehicles ($ per km GST inclusive)

Additional weight (kgs) $ per km
5 axle combination 6 axle combination 7 axle combination 8 axle combination
1000 1.18 0.65 0.43 0.37
2000 1.18 0.65 0.43 0.37
3000 1.18 0.65 0.43 0.37
4000 1.76 0.88 0.72 0.37
5000 1.76 0.88 0.72 0.79
6000 1.76 1.30 0.72 0.79
7000 2.19 1.30 0.72 0.79
8000 2.19 1.30 1.06 0.79
9000 2.72 1.30 1.06 0.79
10,000 3.00 1.80 1.47 1.36
11,000 3.31 1.99 1.47 1.36
12,000 3.63 2.19 1.47 1.36
13,000 3.98 2.40 1.80 1.36
14,000 4.35 2.62 1.98 1.36
15,000 4.74 2.86 2.16 1.78
16,000 5.16 3.12 2.35 1.93
17,000 5.60 3.38 2.56 2.08
18,000 6.05 3.66 2.77 2.25
19,000 6.54 3.96 2.99 2.43
20,000 7.07 4.26 3.23 2.62
Each 1000kg over 20,000kg 0.55 0.33 0.24 0.20
Additional weight (kgs) $ per km
9 axle combination 10 axle combination 11 axle combination
1000 0.02 0.03 0.04
2000 0.02 0.03 0.04
3000 0.02 0.03 0.04
4000 0.02 0.03 0.04
5000 0.02 0.03 0.04
6000 0.02 0.03 0.04
7000 0.22 0.03 0.04
8000 0.22 0.03 0.04
9000 0.22 0.03 0.04
10,000 0.22 0.03 0.04
11,000 0.47 0.03 0.04
12,000 0.47 0.33 0.04
13,000 0.47 0.33 0.04
14,000 0.47 0.33 0.04
15,000 0.69 0.33 0.04
16,000 0.79 0.33 0.04
17,000 0.87 0.55 0.19
18,000 0.97 0.55 0.19
19,000 1.06 0.55 0.19
20,000 1.17 0.63 0.23
Each 1000kg over 20,000kg 0.12 0.07 0.05

RUC rates for additional licences for combination vehicles [PDF, 35 KB]

Road user charges handbook

The Road user charges handbook lists the rates and description for each vehicle type. If you only need one section of the handbook, there's a link under the relevant tables above.

Road user charges handbook [PDF, 2.8 MB]

Road user charges (RUC) publications

RUC calculator

The RUC calculator helps you estimate charges for your vehicle. All amounts shown in the calculator include GST, but exclude administration fees that you pay when buying a RUC licence.

The RUC calculator shows the standard (full) RUC rates. If you want to check the rates that applied during the temporary RUC reduction scheme please check the tables on this page instead. 

RUC calculator

RUC special vehicle types

Under section 33 of the Road User Charges Act 2012, Waka Kotahi may waive or refund road user charges by applying special RUC types and rates if satisfied that the vehicle is paying excessive road user charges.

In deciding whether to waive charges, Waka Kotahi may only consider the road wear that's likely to be caused by the owner's RUC vehicle.

Waka Kotahi will only consider applications under section 33 when the axle configuration or the wheel type and/or tyre size has much more road contact area than the allocated RUC vehicle type. Even when these do differ, a waiver or refund may still not be applied.

Certain factors will not usually be considered under section 33. These include:

  • the purpose for which a vehicle is used

  • when a vehicle operates in the lower part of, or below, its allocated weight band 

  • the age of a vehicle and/or the fact that it may always travel unladen.

Waka Kotahi has absolute discretion in its decision to waive part of the road user charges under section 33.

Once a decision is made, you can't apply for a review of that decision. You may seek a judicial review with the High Court. If you choose to do this, you should seek legal guidance.