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Factsheet 38 - June 2008

Road user charges: 1-6 tonne vehicles

The information in this factsheet applies to vehicles over 3.5 tonnes manufacturer's gross laden weight and all vehicles of 3.5 tonnes or less powered by fuel not taxed at source.

For information about other vehicle types and road user charges, refer to the Road user charges booklet.

What are road user charges?

All users of New Zealand's roads contribute towards their upkeep. Most road users pay levies in the prices of their fuel. Others, such as users of diesel-powered or electric vehicles, pay through road user charges (RUC).

All the revenue collected from road user charges goes into the National Land Transport Fund.

Road user charges are administered by Land Transport New Zealand and enforced by the New Zealand Police.

Who must pay road user charges?

The law says that owners of vehicles powered by a fuel that isn't taxed at source (eg, diesel, electricity), regardless of the weight of the vehicle, must pay road user charges. Vehicles with a manufacturer's gross laden weight of more than 3.5 tonnes (3500 kg) also incur road user charges.

How do I pay for a RUC licence?

To pay the charges, the vehicle owner/applicant purchases a road user charges licence (RUC licence), based on the vehicle type and weight.

Where should I display my licence?

Your RUC licence details must be displayed at all times on the inside of the passenger's side of the front windscreen. The face of the licence, which shows the registration plate number, must be visible from outside the vehicle. If a supplementary licence has been issued, both the distance and the supplementary licence must be displayed.

What type of RUC licence do I need?

Distance licence

If you own a diesel car, ute or van, you probably need a distance licence. A distance licence is purchased in 1000 km units (or multiples of 1000). Your vehicle must be continuously licensed. This means that you must buy a new licence before you've driven all the distance covered by the previous licence.

Supplementary licence

If you carry heavier than normal loads for a short distance, you can purchase a supplementary licence in 50 km units.

Is there a transaction fee?

There is also a transaction fee when you buy each licence, regardless of the distance you purchase. The fee is based on how you pay.

  • Counter sale through a RUC agent or purchased online at transact.landtransport.govt.nz: $9.56 per licence
  • Phone or fax: $6.98 per licence
  • RUC card at BP shops and truckstops: $5.06 per licence
  • Direct Connects (for fleet vehicles only): $3.38.

(All road user charges include GST.)

You can minimise the transaction fees if you buy licences that cover larger distances.

When do I get my tax invoice?

Tax invoices are generally printed at the point of sale. However there are some transactions that do not receive an automatic tax invoice (eg online or direct debit transactions, off-road travel, miscellaneous refunds and card management fees). Invoices for these transactions are mailed to your postal address within seven days of the transaction taking place.

When can I get a refund?

Refunds of road user charges may be paid in certain circumstances - for example:

  • when a vehicle is destroyed, exported, permanently taken off the road and its registration is cancelled
  • when the licence details are incorrect
  • if the vehicle will be used wholly or partly for off-road travel
  • if you have an unused distance licence.

Refunds will not be paid on a RUC licence with a purchase date more than two years old.

Note: The transaction fee paid at the time the RUC licence was purchased is non-refundable.

Send a letter and the original RUC label to:

Road User Charges Refunds
PO Box 1947
Palmerston North 4440

You can also use the form RUC OR (Off-road refunds), which is available from Land Transport New Zealand agents.

Claims should be submitted when each RUC licence expires.

What do I look out for if I'm buying a vehicle?

If you're buying a used vehicle that is subject to RUC, make sure it is displaying a current RUC licence.

If you buy a vehicle that doesn’t have a current RUC licence, you will be liable for any outstanding charges. Land Transport NZ does not involve itself in negotiations concerning reimbursement between the previous and new owner.

If you're considering buying a vehicle that needs a RUC licence, phone the RUC contact centre on 0800 655 644 to find out whether the RUC licence is current.

Note that the sale of a vehicle on an 'as is, where is' basis doesn't absolve the seller from liability for providing a current RUC licence.

If a vehicle is being reregistered, any outstanding RUC will be payable at the time of reregistration.

What actions incur penalties?

Actions vehicle owners or operators may be fined for include:

  • operating a vehicle on the road without a current RUC licence
  • tampering with or having an incorrect distance recorder
  • displaying a RUC licence with incorrect details
  • selling a vehicle without a current RUC licence.

Where can I get a RUC licence?

Licences can be purchased from the following Land Transport New Zealand agents:

They are also available from some independent agents that display the Land Transport New Zealand logo. To find your local RUC agent, check the phone book or call the RUC contact centre on 0800 655 644.

You can also purchase RUC licences (up to the value of $400) online at transact.landtransport.govt.nz.

Table of road user charges

Road User charges - rate per unit 1-6 tonne vehicle - effective 1 July 2008
Distance Licences
Vehicle Type 1 2 5 6 14 19 24
1 tonne 36.07 36.07 35.59 35.59 34.68 34.31 10.73
2 tonne 36.07 36.07 35.59 35.59 34.68 34.31 13.85
3 tonne 37.71 37.71 37.20 37.20 36.26 35.87 19.13
4 tonne 39.85 38.89 37.42 37.31 36.34 35.93 28.30
5 tonne 43.25 41.23 37.64 37.42 36.42 35.97 44.34
6 tonne 47.86 43.66 37.86 37.53 36.50 36.03 68.68

Distance licence
Vehicle Type 27 28 29 30 33 37 43
Vehicle Type 27 28 29 30 33 37 43
1 tonne 10.69 10.68 10.67 10.68 10.67 10.67 10.67
2 tonne 13.44 13.41 13.34 13.35 13.30 13.30 13.29
3 tonne 17.06 16.92 16.55 16.62 16.34 16.36 16.30
4 tonne 21.78 21.31 20.17 20.37 19.49 19.55 19.35
5 tonne 28.42 27.28 24.48 24.98 22.84 22.98 22.50
6 tonne 37.45 35.20 29.72 30.71 26.49 26.79 25.78

Supplementary licences
Vehicle Type 1 2 5 6 14 19 24
2 tonne 1.83 1.83 1.79 1.79 1.75 1.74 0.72
3 tonne 1.91 1.91 1.87 1.87 1.83 1.82 1.07
4 tonne 2.14 2.05 1.90 1.90 1.84 1.82 1.79
5 tonne 2.45 2.25 1.94 1.92 1.85 1.82 3.12
6 tonne 2.90 2.52 1.99 1.97 1.87 1.83 5.22

Supplementary licences
Vehicle Type 27 28 29 30 33 37 43
2 tonne 0.68 0.68 0.67 0.67 0.67 0.67 0.66
3 tonne 0.89 0.87 0.84 0.85 0.82 0.82 0.82
4 tonne 1.19 1.15 1.05 1.06 0.99 0.99 0.97
5 tonne 1.67 1.57 1.32 1.36 1.17 1.18 1.14
6 tonne 2.38 2.17 1.68 1.77 1.38 1.40 1.31

Where can I find out more?

Call our RUC contact centre on 0800 655 644.