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Registration & licensing

Registration and licensing of vehicles are two terms often confused. Both are about getting permission to drive your vehicle on New Zealand roads. But registration is generally a one-off process that identifies you as the person legally responsible for your vehicle. Licensing is the regular process through which you pay to use your vehicle on public roads.

This section explains the requirements of each process, especially what needs to happen when buying and selling vehicles.

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Save time online. Use our Transaction Centre to...
-Apply for your vehicle licence.
-Notify a change in your vehicle's ownership.
-Apply for a temporary licence exemption.

Registering your vehicle

Registration is the process that establishes you as the person legally responsible for your vehicle. It's also the process through which we issue your number plates.
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Vehicle registration and licensing fees

Check the current fees for registering and licensing your vehicle.
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Your responsibilities as an owner

Registered vehicle owners are responsible for meeting the legal requirements for using their vehicle on the road - like keeping it safe, warranted and licensed.
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Road user charges

Most road users pay levies in the prices of their fuel. Others, like drivers of diesel-powered or electric vehicles, and heavy vehicles, pay through road user charges.
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Trade plates

Some businesses can apply to use trade plates on unregistered vehicles to show they can lawfully drive them on the road.
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Licensing your vehicle

Vehicle licensing is the regular process through which you pay to use your vehicle on public roads. It's also the process through which we issue your licence label.
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Where to go to register and license your vehicle

Find your nearest registration and licensing agents.
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Buying and selling

Some easy steps to take when buying or selling a vehicle to ensure you don't get caught with other people's unpaid licence fees and fines.
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Exemptions

You may not have to register your vehicle; you may not have to pay registration and licensing fees; and you may not have to pay certain levies.
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Motor vehicle traders

You play an important role in ensuring vehicles on our roads are safe and legal. Learn about your responsibilities and how we can help.
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