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Light buses

Updated: 4 December 2009

These vehicles are buses that carry more than nine people but are still light vehicles, ie they weigh less than 3500 kilograms when fully loaded.

There are two classes:

Requirements for light buses (Classes MD1 and MD2)

Be aware

All light buses must meet emission standards.

Your vehicle must also meet the requirement of the Passenger Service Vehicle Rule, if:

  • it has less than 12 seats and you carry paying passengers
  • it has more than 12 seats, whether or not you carry paying passengers.

Find out more.

Requirements for light buses (Classes MD1 and MD2)

Vehicle has to meet standard if made on or after... What sort of standard? Under what legislation?
1 January 2006 High-mounted stop lamps (if fitted)
Rear fog lamps (if fitted)
Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004
27 February 2005 Installation standard for lighting on this class of vehicles
OR
fitting requirements in Lighting Rule*
Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004
1 October 2002 Light-vehicle brakes Land Transport Rule: Light-vehicle Brakes 2002
1 March 1999 Class MD1 only
Head restraints (if fitted)
Land Transport Rule: Head Restraints 2001
1 March 1998 Class MD1 only
Door retention systems
Land Transport Rule: Door Retention Systems 2001
1 March 1998 Class MD1 only
External projections
Land Transport Rule: External Projections 2001
1 January 1996 Rear-view mirrors Land Transport Rule: Glazing, Windscreen Wipe and Wash, and Mirrors 1999
1 January 1996 Daytime running lamps (if fitted)
Direction indicators
Front fog lamps (if fitted)
Front position lamps
Headlamps
Rear position lamps
Registration-plate illumination lamps
Reversing lamps (if fitted)
Stop lamps
Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004
1 January 1992 Rear reflectors Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004
1 January 1992 Tyres and wheels** Land Transport Rule: Tyres and Wheels 2001
1 January 1991 Glazing Land Transport Rule: Glazing, Windscreen Wipe and Wash, and Mirrors 1999
Varies Seatbelts and seatbelt anchorages** Land Transport Rule: Seatbelts and Seatbelt Anchorages 2002
* The number, position and performance of lighting equipment on vehicles manufactured after 27 February 2005 must meet EITHER an installation standard OR the relevant requirements in 3.3, 4.3, 6.3, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 8.3 and 9.3 of Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004.

** You may fit components that meet New Zealand requirements to your vehicle after it arrives in the country.

Need to know more?

See the full list of vehicle standards.

Other requirements

Your vehicle has to be entry certified when it first arrives in New Zealand.

You must register and license your vehicle and take it for regular warrant of fitness inspections (or certificate of fitness if you use your vehicle commercially).

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