Haris Ashley
Vehicle registration, also known as rego in New Zealand, is a legal requirement for all vehicles driven on public roads. If your registration expires, you may face instant fines of up to $200, towing, or further legal action if you continue driving. In addition, some insurers may decline your claim if your registration is not up to date at the time of an incident, although this depends on whether the lack of registration contributed to the incident. If your vehicle is unlicensed for over 12 months, it will be deregistered and you will need to pay additional fees and paperwork to re-register.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Registration expiry | Vehicle registration, or "rego", must be renewed every 3, 6, or 12 months in New Zealand. |
| Driving with expired registration | Driving with expired registration is illegal in New Zealand. Police may issue instant fines of up to $200. |
| Insurance claims with expired registration | Some insurers may decline claims if the vehicle is unregistered at the time of an incident. However, this depends on whether the lack of registration contributed to the incident. |
| Re-registration process | Re-registration may require a safety inspection costing around $450, new plates, a current WOF or COF, and possibly a VIN. Overdue licence fees may also apply. |
| Temporary exemption | A temporary exemption from registration requirements can be obtained for a minimum of three months while a vehicle is repaired or not in use. |
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What You'll Learn
Fines for driving with expired registration
In New Zealand, driving with expired registration is illegal, and you can be fined up to $200 on the spot by the police. If you continue driving an unregistered vehicle, you could face towing or further legal action.
Expired registration can also affect your insurance coverage. Some insurers may decline your claim if your registration is not up to date at the time of an incident. However, this may depend on the specific circumstances and the insurance company. It is recommended to be upfront with your insurer when lodging a claim.
To avoid fines and insurance issues, it is important to stay on top of your vehicle registration and renew it before it expires. You can use tools like the Bonnet app, which provides rego tracking and renewal reminders.
If you receive a fine for expired registration, you can defend the infringement by writing an explanation and providing evidence that you have since paid the registration. If you are facing financial difficulties, you should also explain your situation. However, it is important to note that the legislation gives considerable power to fine in this situation, and there may be limited defences available.
In addition to fines, there may be other consequences for driving with expired registration. For example, if your vehicle is unlicensed for over 12 months, it will be deregistered, and you will need to go through the re-registration process, which can be costly.
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Insurance claims and expired registration
In New Zealand, vehicle registration, or "rego", is a legal necessity for all vehicles on public roads. It is important to keep up to date with registration requirements to avoid unnecessary stress and spending.
Expired registration can lead to instant fines of up to $200, and some insurers may decline your claim if your registration is not up to date at the time of an incident. However, this depends on the cause of the incident. If the cause of damage has nothing to do with the vehicle's licensing or fitness, the claim may still be honoured. For example, if your car was backed into while parked, the lack of registration would not have contributed to the damage.
If your vehicle is unlicensed for over 12 months, it will be deregistered. To re-register, you will need to pay for a safety inspection, as well as any overdue licence fees. This can be costly, so it is best to stay on top of your registration.
To avoid letting your registration expire, you can set calendar reminders, subscribe to notifications, or use automated tracking and renewal tools.
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Deregistration and re-registration processes
In New Zealand, a vehicle cannot be used on the road unless it is registered, licensed, and has passed a safety inspection. If a vehicle is unlicensed for over 12 months, it will be deregistered. Passenger vehicles can only remain unlicensed for 12 months, or 24 months if owned by a vehicle trader. Non-passenger vehicles, such as trailers and ATVs, can remain unlicensed for 24 months.
If a vehicle is deregistered, it will need to undergo a re-registration process before it can be used on the road again. This process involves the following steps:
- Take the vehicle to an entry certifier. An agent may refer the vehicle to a specialist certifier if it has structural damage, deterioration, or previous structural repairs that could impact its safety.
- Obtain a current Warrant of Fitness (WOF) or Certificate of Fitness (COF).
- Get a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) assigned if necessary.
- Purchase a current vehicle licence and pay the associated fees, including the cost of new number plates and licence labels. These fees vary according to vehicle type, engine size, and vehicle use.
- Undergo a thorough safety inspection for frame damage. This inspection typically costs around $450.
- Pay any overdue or unpaid licence or Road User Charges (RUC) fees if applicable.
It is important to note that a vehicle cannot be driven on New Zealand roads during the re-registration process. Additionally, it can be costly to re-register a vehicle, so it is recommended to ensure the previous owner has a valid licence before purchasing a deregistered vehicle.
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Licence fees and exemptions
In New Zealand, a vehicle must be both registered and licensed to be legally driven on the road. Vehicles exempt from registration and licensing include very light electric vehicles weighing less than 1000 kg, such as electric motorcycles or mopeds. These vehicles are subject to road user charges (RUC) and require a RUC licence label displayed on the windscreen. The type of RUC licence depends on the type of vehicle and its weight, with most diesel, electric, and hybrid vehicles requiring a distance licence.
If a vehicle is unlicensed for over 12 months, it will be deregistered. Passenger vehicles can remain unlicensed for 12 months, or 24 months if owned by a vehicle trader. Non-passenger vehicles such as trailers and ATVs can remain unlicensed for 24 months.
Owners may request a temporary exemption licence if their vehicle will not be driven for an extended period, such as during long holidays or repairs. The vehicle cannot be driven on the road with an exemption licence, and the licence will revert to a regular licence once the owner contacts the NZTA or when the exemption expires.
Re-registering a vehicle can be costly, and it must undergo a safety inspection that costs approximately $450. Overdue or unpaid licence fees may also be applicable. The annual licence fee portion of the overall cost has remained unchanged since 1994, with the government increasing rates in May 2024 to adjust for inflation. Further fee increases are planned for January 2026.
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Registration requirements and safety inspections
In New Zealand, vehicles must be registered for safety inspections and identification to enforce road rules. The registration process involves inspecting the vehicle, adding it to the motor vehicle register, and issuing license plates. This is a one-time fee.
All vehicles entering New Zealand must be checked, certified, registered, and licensed before they can be used on the road. This process is called entry certification, and only approved organisations can carry out these inspections. The inspection includes verifying that the vehicle meets the required safety emissions and frontal impact standards when manufactured, inspecting the vehicle to ensure it is in good condition, and deciding if any repairs or specialist certification is required to meet legal safety requirements.
Vehicles cannot be used on the road until they have been registered, licensed, and had a safety inspection. If a vehicle is unlicensed for over 12 months, it will be deregistered. Passenger vehicles can remain unlicensed for 12 months, or 24 months if owned by a vehicle trader. Non-passenger vehicles can remain unlicensed for 24 months.
If a vehicle has been deregistered, it will need to be re-registered, which includes a thorough safety inspection for frame damage. This inspection costs approximately $450.
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Frequently asked questions
You can be fined up to $200 on the spot if caught driving an unregistered vehicle. Some insurers may decline your claim if your rego is not up to date at the time of an incident. You could also face towing or further legal action.
You can set a calendar reminder a few weeks before your rego expires. You can also subscribe to BONNET notifications or NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.
The vehicle will undergo a thorough safety inspection for frame damage, which costs approximately $450. You may also be responsible for paying any overdue licence or RUC fees. You will need to obtain a current WOF or COF and purchase a current vehicle licence.
Your insurance company won’t automatically decline your claim just because your rego expired. However, your claim could be declined if it’s proved that an issue with the car, which would have been picked up by a Warrant of Fitness (WoF) inspection, was the cause of the accident.
