How to register your vehicle

The registration process

Registration is generally a one-off process:

1. On arrival in New Zealand, a vehicle undergoes entry certification to verify it meets New Zealand's required standards. (See the exceptions to the entry certification requirement.)
2. If the vehicle meets the standards, it's approved for registration and a registration application form (form MR2A) is printed.
3. You then present the completed registration application form to a registration agent for processing.
4. The agent processes the application, registering and licensing the vehicle so that you can legally drive it on the road. You'll receive new registration plates and licence label.
5. You may only drive your vehicle on the road when it has its registration plates, licence label, WoF or CoF label and (if applicable) road user charges licence attached.

While registration is generally a one-off process, you'll need to re-register:

• if you later heavily modify or rebuild your vehicle
• if your registration is cancelled.

Evidence of your registration

Your certificate of registration

We post certificates of registration once we've processed a vehicle's registration application.

When you receive the certificate, carefully check the information and contact us if any details are incorrect.

If the details are correct, keep the certificate in a safe place until you sell or dispose of your vehicle.

Your registration plates

When you register your vehicle, you'll receive general purpose plates. These plates are alpha numeric (containing both letters and numbers), with up to six characters. A registration plate stays with a vehicle for the length of its life, unless it's replaced after being lost, stolen or damaged, or with personalised plates. Find out more about vehicle registration plates.

Personalised registration plates

You can replace your general purpose registration plates with personalised plates, which you can transfer from vehicle to vehicle. Find out more about personalised registration plates.

Vehicles exempt from registration and licensing

Your vehicle may not have to be registered or licensed. Motor vehicles used on a private road are exempt from the requirement to be registered and licensed.

Note: Private road means a road, place or arcade laid out or formed on private land by the owner of that land.

See more on which vehicles are exempt.

Exceptions to the entry certification requirement

The following vehicles are not required to undergo entry certification before being registered:

• trailers/caravans under 3500kg
• tractors
• self-propelled agricultural machines
• trailers not designed for highway use
• mobile machines not designed for highway use
• all terrain vehicles (ATVs).

These are known as 'non-VIN' vehicles – they don't require a vehicle identification number (VIN). You can apply to register these by completing a 'Non-VIN' vehicle form (form MR2B) and presenting it to a registration agent.

What is entry certification?