Category A special interest left-hand drive light vehicles

This factsheet informs you of the requirements for importing left-hand drive (LHD) special interest vehicles.

This factsheet applies to vehicles of class MA (passenger vehicle) only. Please confirm your vehicle belongs to class MA before importing a Category A LHD vehicle. Ask an Entry Certifier if you are unsure of your vehicle category, before you import (see contact list below).

If you are a motoring enthusiast wishing to import an LHD vehicle less than 20 years old, there are certain changes to the Land Transport Rule: Steering Systems 2001 that may affect you.

Previously, in order to import and register a LHD vehicle less than 20 years old into New Zealand, the owner had to have owned and operated the vehicle overseas for a period of at least 90 days. However, this concession has been removed and replaced with a system that allows such vehicles to be registered if they meet certain criteria to be considered a ‘special interest vehicle’. In order to register a LHD vehicle under this system, you will need to meet a number of specific conditions listed below and apply for a Category A left-hand drive vehicle permit.

What do the changes mean for me?

The new requirements mean motoring enthusiasts will be able to import left-hand drive vehicles that are designated as special interest vehicles, provided that all the specified requirements are met.

How is the system enforced?

Restrictions on a LHD vehicle are enforced when you go to register it for use on the road, not when it's imported into New Zealand. A light vehicle less than 20 years old cannot generally be registered unless it has been issued with a Category A left-hand drive vehicle permit, which is issued by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA).

What requirements have to be met before my vehicle can be registered in New Zealand as a Category A Special interest left-hand drive vehicle?

To issue a vehicle with a Category A LHD vehicle permit, the NZTA must either deem it to have historic value, or it must be a vehicle that was not manufactured in right-hand drive form that meets three of the following four requirements:

• The vehicle (or its make, model and submodel) is identified as being a collector's item in a commercially produced motoring publication.
• The vehicle's make and model and submodel has been (or was) manufactured in annual volumes of 20,000 units or less.
• The vehicle is, and was manufactured as, a two-door coupe or a convertible.
• The vehicle is, and was manufactured as, a high-performance vehicle.

You must also comply with the following requirements:

• You must be a New Zealand citizen or resident.
• You must not have received a Category A LHD vehicle permit during the two years before your application.
• The vehicle must be registered in your name.
• You must prove the other necessary standards for the vehicle year.

How do I apply for a Category A Left-hand drive vehicle permit?

You will need to apply to an entry certifier to obtain such a permit. A fee may be charged to process your application. The file will then be referred to the NZTA, who will make an assessment and decision. The NZTA charges a fee of $153.30 to process each application. An application form can be downloaded.

Is there a limit to how many special interest vehicle permits that can be issued in any one calendar year?

Under the amended Steering Systems Rule, the NZTA may not issue more than 500 Category A LHD vehicle permits in any one calendar year. As a result, you may not be issued with a Category A LHD vehicle permit if 500 permits have already been issued in the calendar year in which you apply.

A Category A LHD vehicle permit ceases to be valid if the vehicle is not inspected at the border or certified for entry within six months of the date of issue. A Category A LHD vehicle permit that ceases to be valid in the calendar year it was issued will not be counted in the quota total mentioned above.

Are there any requirements attached to a Category A left-hand drive vehicle permit?

Yes there are two requirements:

• A Category A left-hand drive vehicle cannot be sold or leased within four years of its registration in New Zealand.
• A Category A left-hand drive vehicle cannot be used for hire or reward or in a transport service.

Does the Fuel Consumption Information Rule apply to Category A LHD vehicles?

Land Transport Rule: Fuel Consumption Information 2008 (the Fuel Consumption Information Rule) sets out requirements for the provision of fuel consumption information for light motor vehicles that enter the New Zealand fleet and are manufactured on or after 1 January 2000. This rule applies to Category A LHD vehicles.

Where can I find out more about these changes?

View the Land Transport Rule: Steering Systems Amendment 2010, or obtain a hard copy by calling the NZTA contact centre on 0800 699 000. If you are outside New Zealand, phone +64 4 931 8700 and select option 3.

Contact an entry certifier

If you are unsure of your vehicle class, or unsure if you will comply, please contact an entry certifier. The organisations listed below are appointed by the NZTA to advise on the suitability of vehicles for import, and carry out entry certification of imported used vehicles and new vehicles that are imported by persons other than the vehicle manufacturer's representative in New Zealand:

• the Automobile Association (AA), telephone +64 9 966 8800, fax +64 9 966 8893, email aatech@aa.co.nz
• Vehicle Inspection New Zealand (VINZ), telephone +64 9 580 3170, fax +64 9 525 8910, email info@vinz.co.nz
• Vehicle Testing New Zealand (VTNZ), telephone +64 4 495 2500, 0800 888 869 or fax +64 04 495 2530, email technical@vtnz.co.nz
• Safer Vehicle Testing (SVT), phone +64 9 296 1169, fax +64 9 296 2813, email kismatt@safervehicletesting.co.nz

About factsheets

The information in this factsheet is a general guide only. It is not the source of the law.