About your vehicle
Motorcycle requirements
To ride your motorcycle safely and legally on the road it must have the right equipment (in good working order) and have a current warrant of fitness (WoF). This section explains what your motorcycle must have.
Warrant of fitness (WoF)
Privately operated motorcycles must have a current WoF. Commercial vehicles must have a current certificate of fitness (CoF).
A current WoF shows the vehicle has been inspected by an approved WoF inspector and was roadworthy at the time of the last WoF inspection.
Warrant of fitness label
Important
In addition to the warrant of fitness, a motorcycle must display a current licence label and a number plate on the back that can be clearly seen.
The WoF label must be attached to the motorcycle where it is clearly visible.
The WoF inspector will give you a copy of the check sheet. This is a receipt of payment for the inspection and is not a warrant of fitness. If your motorcycle failed its WoF inspection, the receipt gives you 28 days to have it fixed and brought back for re-inspection without any additional payment. During that time you are only allowed to ride the motorcycle to get it repaired and re-inspected.
How often do I need to get a WoF?
If your motorcycle was first registered (in New Zealand or overseas) less than six years ago, it requires a WoF inspection every 12 months.
If your motorcycle was first registered more than six years ago, it requires a WoF inspection every six months.
Important
You can be fined if you ride any vehicle that is not up to WoF standard on a road. A police officer can require you to stop for a roadside vehicle check at any time.
Features your motorcycle must have
To meet the WoF standard, your motorcycle must be in good condition (no rust around safety areas) and it must have the following equipment in good working order:
Features your motorcycle must have
- A - Mudguards.
- B - A working horn.
- C - A good headlight that can be dipped when another vehicle comes towards you.
- D - A working speedometer.
- E - Safe steering.
- F - A rear-view mirror that gives a clear view behind.
- G - A red stop light at the back.
- H - A red reflector at the back.
- I - Safe tyres - the tread depth must be at least 1.5 millimetres right around the tyre. Ensure tyre pressure is to the manufacturer's specifications.
- J - Flashing direction indicator lights at the front and back.
- K - Good front and rear brakes.
- L - Good footrests for both the rider and pillion passenger.
- M - A good silencer and exhaust system.
- N - One or more red position lights and a white number plate light at the back.
Carrying a load on your motorcycle
- Your load must not extend more than one metre in front of the front wheel or more than one metre behind the rear wheel.
- Your load must not extend more than 50 centimetres on either side from the centre of the motorcycle.
- Your load must not be loose and must not touch the ground.
See Loads for more information about carrying loads on a motorcycle.
Last updated: 11 June 2010