Considering changes to light vehicle inspections

Consultation on making changes to light vehicle inspections - warrants of fitness (WoFs) and certificates of fitness (CoF A) closed on 17 December 2025. 

Light vehicles include cars, motorcycles, vans, people-movers, trailers, taxis and rideshares.  

What we sought feedback on

New Zealand checks vehicles more often than most countries, but this frequency doesn’t always lead to better safety outcomes. We proposed changes to:  

• Inspection frequency: vehicles less likely to be involved in crashes where mechanical faults are a contributing factor would need fewer inspections overall.
  • New vehicles: First WoF issued for 4 years.
  • Vehicles 4-10 years old: WoF required every 2 years. 
  • Vehicles over 10 years old: WoF required every year. 
  • Light rental vehicles under 5 years old: CoF A required every year. 
• Inspection scope: WoF and CoF A inspections would require checks of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) features. Inspectors would check fault lights for important ADAS safety features like Automatic Emergency Braking and Lane Keep Assist are not showing .  
• Enforcement and public awareness:  the possibility of higher fines or demerit points for not having a valid WoF/CoF A and other offences - like having bald or damaged tyres. Public education would help people understand how to maintain their vehicles between inspections. 

The changes proposed aim to reduce unnecessary costs for low-risk vehicles while maintaining safety standards for higher-risk vehicles. 

Supporting documents during consultation

• Summary document [PDF, 154 KB]
• Discussion document [PDF, 897 KB]

What’s next

All feedback is being considered before the Associate Minister of Transport makes a decision. Any Land Transport Rule amendments would likely be signed in mid-2026.

Note, there is no draft amendment Rule accompanying this consultation. Making these features compulsory would require changes to the Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Standards Compliance 2002.

If a decision to change this Rule is made, the Associate Minister of Transport is likely to use the Order in Council process, which would see Rule changes made by Order in Council, and signed by the Governor-General.

The Executive Council Role in the regulations process(external link)

If you have a question about this consultation, send it to:

rules@nzta.govt.nz

This work is part of the Government’s Land Transport Rules Reform Programme:

Land Transport Rules Reform Programme(external link)