Nearly all vehicles must meet a range of vehicle and equipment standards before you can register them for use on New Zealand roads. Some vehicles may not need to meet all of these standards.
Standards that apply to your vehicle
Exceptions for left-hand drives and temporary imports
Exceptions for vehicles not meeting all required standards
Exceptions for cycles and motorcycles
Vehicles manufactured before 1990 may be excluded from many of the standards requirements. However, your vehicle must still meet the general safety requirements in the Land Transport Rules, and it must have at least front seat passenger safety belts if manufactured after 1955.
A historic vehicle must meet the safety requirements applying at the time it was manufactured.
Cars over 20 years old don’t have to meet frontal impact standards.
Frontal impact standards(external link)
You can contact the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand for more information and guidance.
Vintage Car Club of New Zealand(external link)
In most cases, if you bring a left-hand drive vehicle to New Zealand, you'll need to have it converted. You may be able to get an exemption for a light vehicle that is for your own use.
Importing a left-hand drive vehicle
You may not need to meet these standards if you’re temporarily importing your vehicle (usually for less than 12 months).
Importing a vehicle temporarily
Where your vehicle meets some but not all the standards, you may be able to apply for an exemption. There's no guarantee this will be granted. We consider applications on a case-by-case basis against criteria set in legislation.
Section 168D of the Land Transport Act 1998(external link)
Section 168E of the Land Transport Act 1998(external link)
Apply for an exemption from land transport vehicle rules (CA11)(external link)
Before bringing a vehicle to New Zealand it's best to ensure that any vehicle you're planning to import meets all our standards.
Cycles and power-assisted cycles don't have to meet standards, though they must still be safe on the road.
Motorcycles don’t have to meet emissions standards.
Your vehicle may not have to meet all the standards if:
you’re emigrating or returning to New Zealand.
Immigrants' vehicles
it has historic value or is a collector’s item.
Special interest vehicles
it's for motor sport and you need an exemption through a MotorSport New Zealand authority card.
MotorSport New Zealand authority card(external link)
