There are three classes of passenger vehicles, depending on their body type:
- passenger car (MA). See if this is your vehicle.
- forward control (MB). See if this is your vehicle.
- off-road (MC). See if this is your vehicle.
Requirements for passenger cars (Class MA)
The most important standard for these Class MA vehicles is the frontal impact standard. To register your vehicle you must be able to prove it was manufactured to meet a frontal impact standard unless:
- it is over 20 years old
- it is a special interest vehicle
- you're bringing it with you when emigrating or returning to live in New Zealand.
Find out more about these exceptions.
See the more detailed requirements for frontal impact standards in the Land Transport Rule: Frontal Impact 2001.
You cannot add frontal impact systems to a vehicle. If a vehicle wasn't designed, manufactured and certified as meeting an approved frontal impact standard, you cannot change this.
Be aware
Your vehicle must meet exhaust emissions requirements, unless it qualifies for an exception.
Requirements for passenger cars (Class MA)
| Vehicle has to meet standard if made on or after... | What sort of standard? | Under what legislation? | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January 2006 | Rear fog lamps (if fitted) | Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004 | |
| 27 February 2005 | Installation standard for lighting on Class MA vehicles OR fitting requirements in Lighting Rule* |
Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004 | |
| 1 October 2002 | Seats and seat anchorages | Land Transport Rule: Seats and Seat Anchorages 2002 | |
| 1 March 1999 | Head restraints (if fitted) | Land Transport Rule: Head Restraints 2001 | |
| 1 March 1998 | External projections | Land Transport Rule: External Projections 2001 | |
| 1 January 1996 | Daytime running lamps (if fitted) Front fog lamps (if fitted) Reversing lamps (if fitted) Direction indicators Registration-plate illumination lamps |
Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004 | |
| 1 January 1996 | Rear-view mirrors | Land Transport Rule: Glazing, Windscreen Wipe and Wash, and Mirrors 1999 | |
| 1 January 1992 | Front position lamps Headlamps Rear position lamps Stop lamps |
Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004 | |
| 1 January 1992 | Interior impact systems | Land Transport Rule: Interior Impact 2001 | |
| 1 January 1992 | Light-vehicle brakes | Land Transport Rule: Light-vehicle Brakes 2002 | |
| 1 January 1992 | Steering systems | Land Transport Rule: Steering Systems 2001 | |
| 1 January 1992 | Tyres and wheels** | Land Transport Rule: Tyres and Wheels 2001 and Land Transport Rule: Tyres and Wheels Amendment 2005 |
|
| 1 January 1991 | Door retention systems | Land Transport Rule: Door Retention Systems 2001 | |
| 1 January 1991 | Glazing | Land Transport Rule: Glazing, Windscreen Wipe and Wash, and Mirrors 1999 | |
| 1 January 1991 | Rear reflectors High-mounted stop lamps |
Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004 | |
| 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 standard to your vehicle after it arrives in the country. |
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Need to know more?
See the full list of vehicle standards.
Requirements for forward control (Class MB) and off-road (Class MC) passenger vehicles
The most important standard for these vehicles is the frontal impact standard. To register a Class MB or Class MC vehicle manufactured after 1 October 2003, you must be able to prove it was manufactured to meet a frontal impact standard unless you're bringing it with you when emigrating or returning to live in New Zealand.
Find out more about this exception.
See the more detailed requirements for frontal impact standards in the Land Transport Rule: Frontal Impact 2001.
Be aware
Your vehicle must meet exhaust emissions requirements. unless it qualifies for an exception.
Requirements for forward control (Class MB) and off-road (Class MC) passenger vehicles
| 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) | Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004 |
| 1 January 2006 | 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 2003 | Frontal impact systems | Land Transport Rule: Frontal Impact 2001 |
| 1 October 2002 | Seats and seat anchorages | Land Transport Rule: Seats and Seat Anchorages 2002 |
| 1 March 1999 | Head restraints (if fitted) | Land Transport Rule: Head Restraints 2001 |
| 1 March 1998 | External projections | Land Transport Rule: External Projections 2001 |
| 1 March 1999 for Class MB |
Steering systems | Land Transport Rule: Steering Systems 2001 |
| 1 March 1998 | Door retention systems | Land Transport Rule: Door Retention Systems 2001 |
| 1 March 1998 | Interior impact systems | Land Transport Rule: Interior Impact 2001 |
| 1 January 1996 | Daytime running lamps (if fitted) Front fog lamps (if fitted) Reversing lamps (if fitted) Direction indicators Registration-plate illumination lamps Front position lamps Headlamps Rear position lamps Stop lamps |
Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004 |
| 1 January 1996 | Rear-view mirrors | Land Transport Rule: Glazing, Windscreen Wipe and Wash, and Mirrors 1999 |
| 1 January 1996 | Light-vehicle brakes | Land Transport Rule: Light-vehicle Brakes 2002 |
| 1 March 1999 for Class MB 1 March 1998 for Class MC |
Steering systems | Land Transport Rule: Steering Systems 2001 |
| 1 January 1992 | Tyres and wheels** | Land Transport Rule: Tyres and Wheels 2001 and Land Transport Rule: Tyres and Wheels Amendment 2005 |
| 1 January 1992 | Rear reflectors | Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004 |
| 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).
Examples of passenger cars (Class MA) in New Zealand
| Vehicle make | Vehicle model | Class |
|---|---|---|
| ALFA ROMEO | 147 | MA |
| AUDI | TT | MA |
| BMW | 320; 530I; MINI | MA |
| CITROEN | C5 | MA |
| FIAT | PUNTO | MA |
| FORD | KA | MA |
| HOLDEN | EPICA | MA |
| HOLDEN | COMMODORE | MA |
| HONDA | CRX; FIT; LOGO; SABER; TORNEO; | MA |
| HYUNDAI | GETZ; I30; SONATA | MA |
| JAGUAR | S-TYPE; XJ; X-TYPE | MA |
| KIA | MAGENTIS; PICANTO | MA |
| LEXUS | ES300; IS250 | MA |
| MAZDA | ASTINA; ATENZA; MX6; RX-7; CRONOS; MAZDA6; MX5 | MA |
| MERCEDES-BENZ | A;C;E;S | MA |
| MITSUBISHI | 380; CARISMA; GRANDIS | MA |
| NISSAN | FAIRLADY; MICRA; PRESEA; TIIDA | MA |
| OPEL | VECTRA | MA |
| PEUGEOT | 207; 306; 407; | MA |
| PORSCHE | 911 | MA |
| RENAULT | MEGANE | MA |
| ROVER | MGF | MA |
| SKODA | OCTAVIA | MA |
| SUZUKI | IGNIS; LIANA | MA |
| TOYOTA | AVENSIS; CARINA; CERES; CURREN; CYNOS; DUET; PRIUS; SUPRA; TERCEL; YARIS | MA |
| VOLKSWAGEN | BORA; EOS; PASSAT; POLO | MA |
| VOLVO | S40; S60; S80 | MA |
Examples of off-road passenger vehicles (Class MC) in New Zealand
| Vehicle make | Vehicle make | Class |
|---|---|---|
| BMW | X5 | MC |
| JEEP/CHRYSLER | GRAND CHEROKEE; RENEGADE; PATRIOT | MC |
| HOLDEN | FRONTERA | MC |
| ISUZU | V CROSS | MC |
| KIA | SORENTO | MC |
| LEXUS | RX350 | MC |
| MITSUBISHI | PAJERO | MC |
| NISSAN | SAFARI | MC |
| PORSCHE | CAYENNE | MC |
| LANDROVER | DISCOVERY | MC |
| SSANGYONG | KYRON | MC |
| SUBARU | TRIBECA | MC |
| TOYOTA | LAND CRUISER | MC |
