There are three classes of passenger vehicles (up to 9 seats), depending on their body type:
The most important standards for these class MA vehicles are the frontal impact standard and the exhaust emissions standard.
In certain circumstances class MA vehicles must also be fitted with electronic stability control (a new motor vehicle of class MA that is first certified for entry into service in New Zealand on or after 1 July 2015, or a used motor vehicle of class MA with engine capacity greater than 2 litres that is inspected at the border from 1 March 2018 must have ESC fitted).
To register your vehicle you must be able to prove it was manufactured to meet frontal impact and exhaust emissions standards and ESC requirements where appropriate unless:
Note: all other used class MA vehicles inspected at the border from 1 March 2020 must have ESC fitted.
Find out more about these exceptions.
You can’t add frontal impact systems to a vehicle. If a vehicle wasn’t designed, manufactured and certified as meeting an approved frontal impact standard, you can’t change this.
Check that your vehicle meets the exhaust emissions requirements or whether it qualify for an exception?
Vehicle has to meet standard if made on or after... |
What sort of standard? |
Under what legislation? |
|
1 January 2006 |
Rear fog lamps (if fitted) |
Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004 |
|
27 February 2005 |
Installation standard for lighting on class MA vehicles |
Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004 |
|
1 October 2002 |
Land Transport Rule: Seats and Seat Anchorages 2002 |
||
1 March 1999 |
Head restraints (if fitted) |
Land Transport Rule: Head Restraints 2001 |
|
1 March 1998 |
Land Transport Rule: External Projections 2001 |
||
1 January 1996 |
Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004 |
||
1 January 1996 |
Land Transport Rule: Glazing, Windscreen Wipe and Wash, and Mirrors 1999 |
||
1 January 1992 |
Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004 |
||
1 January 1992 |
Land Transport Rule: Interior Impact 2001 |
||
1 January 1992 |
Land Transport Rule: Light-vehicle Brakes 2002 |
||
1 January 1992 |
Land Transport Rule: Steering Systems 2001 |
||
1 January 1992 |
Land Transport Rule: Tyres and Wheels 2001 and |
||
1 January 1991 |
Land Transport Rule: Door Retention Systems 2001 |
||
1 January 1991 |
Land Transport Rule: Glazing, Windscreen Wipe and Wash, and Mirrors 1999 |
||
1 January 1991 |
Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004 |
||
Varies |
Land Transport Rule: Seatbelts and Seatbelt Anchorages 2002 |
||
* 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. |
The most important requirement for these vehicles is that all MC class vehicles entering New Zealand on or after 1 March 2016 must be fitted with an electronic stability control (ESC) system unless:
Find out more about these exceptions.
Check that your vehicle meets the exhaust emissions requirements or whether it qualifies for an exception?
Vehicle has to meet standard if made on or after... |
What sort of standard? |
Under what legislation? |
1 January 2006 |
High-mounted stop lamps (if fitted) |
Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004 |
1 January 2006 |
Rear fog lamps (if fitted) |
Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004 |
27 February 2005 |
Installation standard for lighting on this class of vehicles |
Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004 |
1 October 2003 |
Land Transport Rule: Frontal Impact 2001 |
|
1 October 2002 |
Land Transport Rule: Seats and Seat Anchorages 2002 |
|
1 March 1999 |
Head restraints (if fitted) |
Land Transport Rule: Head Restraints 2001 |
1 March 1998 |
Land Transport Rule: External Projections 2001 |
|
1 March 1999 |
Land Transport Rule: Steering Systems 2001 |
|
1 March 1998 |
Land Transport Rule: Door Retention Systems 2001 |
|
1 March 1998 |
Land Transport Rule: Interior Impact 2001 |
|
1 January 1996 |
|
Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004 |
1 January 1996 |
Land Transport Rule: Glazing, Windscreen Wipe and Wash, and Mirrors 1999 |
|
1 January 1996 |
Land Transport Rule: Light-vehicle Brakes 2002 |
|
1 March 1999 |
Land Transport Rule: Steering Systems 2001 |
|
1 January 1992 |
Land Transport Rule: Tyres and Wheels 2001 and |
|
1 January 1992 |
Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004 |
|
1 January 1991 |
Land Transport Rule: Glazing, Windscreen Wipe and Wash, and Mirrors 1999 |
|
Varies |
Land Transport Rule: Seatbelts and Seatbelt Anchorages 2002 |
|
* 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. |