About other road users

Information for moped riders

A moped is a motor vehicle on two or three wheels, with a power output of no more than 2 kW and a maximum speed of 50 km/h (some mopeds may have a lower maximum speed).

You are licensed to ride a moped if you have either a motorcycle (Class 6) licence or a car (Class 1) licence. When riding a moped on a Class 1 or Class 6 learner licence, you must display an L plate. If you’re on a learner or restricted licence, you must not ride the moped between 10pm and 5am.

Safety rules for moped riders

  • A moped is a motor vehicle. Therefore, you must not ride it on the footpath or a cycle path. The exception is where a road controlling authority has authorised the use of a footpath by a moped or motorcycle rider for the purpose of delivering newspapers, mail or other printed material to letterboxes.
  • You must wear an approved motorcycle safety helmet when riding a moped.
  • At intersections, you must:
    • follow the rules for motor vehicles, or
    • get off your moped and walk across.
  • You may ride beside another moped or cyclist, but you must not ride beside other vehicles.
  • Pass other vehicles in single file.
  • A moped must not be towed by any other vehicle.
  • A moped may tow a trailer, but must not be fitted with a sidecar.
  • You must not carry a pillion passenger on a moped, unless you have a pillion seat and footrests. If you are carrying a child, the pillion seat must protect the child’s legs from the wheels.
  • You must not park a moped on the footpath.
  • You must turn on your moped's headlight during the hours of darkness, from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
  • You must also turn on either your moped's headlight or daytime running lights during daylight hours if your moped was manufactured on or after 1 January 1980.

Features your moped must have

Your moped must have:

  • a rear red light that can be seen from 100 metres away
  • a headlight powerful enough to see clearly anything 30 metres in front of you
  • a horn
  • good tyres, with a clear tread pattern
  • a good exhaust system that isn't excessively noisy
  • safe steering
  • mudguards
  • good brakes at the front and back
  • one or two red rear stop lights (if first registered in New Zealand after 1 January 1991)
  • a red rear reflector.

Important

Any load you carry on your moped must be tied on firmly and must not touch the ground.

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Last updated: 11 May 2010