Vehicle certification

Certification of motor vehicles in New Zealand is required to ensure that they comply with legal requirements and are safe to use on New Zealand roads.

The annual or six-monthly warrant of fitness inspection required for light motor vehicles is the most familiar, but vehicle certification is also required in a number of other cases.

These include:

• border checks
• entry certification of new and used vehicles
• low volume light vehicle certification
• repair certification (after structural repair)
• heavy motor vehicle certificate of fitness inspection and issue
• heavy motor vehicle specialist certification.

Vehicle certification is carried out under Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Standards Compliance 2002 (Rule 35001).

Vehicle Certification Unit

The Vehicle Certification Unit is based in Wellington and maintains a nationwide network of certification reviewers.

Reviewers implement the Performance Review System (PRS) to assess the performance of certifiers and support them and the vehicle certification industry.

Complaints

Any complaints about the issuing of a warrant of fitness or any other vehicle certification are handled by the Vehicle Certification Unit. However, every effort should be made to resolve the matter between the parties concerned before involving Land Transport New Zealand.
Vehicle certification complaint form (PDF, 62 KB).

Where you can find out more

• Email us: info@nzta.govt.nz.
• Call our Helpdesk: (freephone) 0800 699 000.

Last updated: 3 August 2005