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1. New Zealand Driver Licensing Requirements

Note: This section is a shortened summary to introduce you to the key aspects of driver licensing in New Zealand. You should refer to the latest copy of “The Official New Zealand Road Code and Licence Guide for Car Drivers” for full details.

When driving you must carry your licence with you at all times.

1.1 Status of International Licences

Immigrants and visitors may drive in New Zealand for up to 12 months from date of entry on either a full, clean licence from any country that is a party to the 1949 or 1968 Convention on Road Traffic, or on an International Driving Permit.  Within 12 months of arriving in New Zealand, you must hold a New Zealand licence.  It is expected that intending residents will apply to sit  their New Zealand licence as soon as practicable after arrival.

Note that the failure to hold the correct licence will have implications not only for your legal situation but also for the validity of your vehicle insurance. We strongly recommend that all visitors and immigrants  to New Zealand who are intending to drive in this country obtain an International Driving Permit from the country they are leaving before departure to cover the first 12 months of their stay in New Zealand. This may facilitate the renting and insuring of vehicles, and may also aid the New Zealand driver licensing process. This is particularly important for drivers from non- English speaking countries.

1.2 The New Zealand Driver Licensing Process

The minimum driving age in New Zealand is 15 years for most categories of vehicle. There are 6 classes of licence in New Zealand, to cover various categories of vehicle. Class 1 relates to cars, classes 2-5 relate to heavy vehicles, and Class 6 relates to motorcyles, mo-peds & all-terrain vehicles.

You must carry your licence with you at all times while driving (even if it is not a New Zealand licence). New Zealand has a three-stage graduated licensing process. We refer you to  “The Official New Zealand Road Code and Licence Guide for Car Drivers”, published by  Land Transport New Zealand, for full details of the licensing process and the New Zealand road rules.  This book is obtainable from most bookshops and some service (petrol/gas) stations.

Please note that there are sometimes significant road rule and licensing changes, so it is important you have a current version of the road code.

In summary, the basic steps are:

Stage 1 – Learner Licence

A Learner Licence allows you to drive on the road when you are accompanied by a supervisor (someone who has  a current full car driver licence and has held this for at least  two years), and you must display front & rear “L” plates. Anyone over the age of 15 years can apply for a Learner licence. To get a Learner Licence you must pass an eyesight check, and pass a theory test on the road code.

Stage 2 – Restricted Licence

A Restricted Licence holder can drive unaccompanied between 5am and 10pm, but must be accompanied by a supervisor(see above) outside of these hours. When carrying passengers a Restricted Licence holder must be accompanied by a supervisor, unless the passengers are your spouse or dependents.

You can apply for a Restriced Licence once you have held a learner licence for 6 months and feel you have developed good driving skills. To get a Restricted Licence you must pass a practical driving test.  You must provide the vehicle in which to take the test.

Stage 3 – Full Licence

The conditions on driving that apply to Learner and Restricted licence holders do not apply to holders of Full New Zealand licences. If you are over 25 years, you can apply for a Full Licence once you have held your Restricted Licence for 6 months.  If you are under 25 years, you can apply for a Full Licence once you have held your Restricted Licence for 18 months.  These waiting periods can be reduced to 3 months and 12 months respectively if you complete an LTNZ approved driving course (New Zealand Defensive Driving Course (DDC)).

To get a Full Licence you must pass a practical driving test.  You must provide the vehicle in which to take the test. New Zealand driver’s licenses incorporate a photo and signature, and must be renewed every 10 years.  The renewal process incorporates passing an eyesight check and  having a digitised photo taken.

At age 75, 80, and every two years after that, you must produce a medical certificate before you can renew your licence. Your doctor may refer you for a practical driving test and can assess you as not medically fit to drive, in which case you must surrender your licence.

1.3 Implications for New Residents

Within one year of your first arrival in New Zealand, new residents (including those on work or study  permits) will need to sit the appropriate New Zealand driver licensing tests. Holders of current, clean, full licences for at least two years from Australia, Canada, Norway, South Africa, Switzerland, the USA or a member state of the European Union usually only have to sit the multi-choice theory part of the test, and will receive a Full New Zealand licence if they pass. Drivers from other countries will need to sit both the theory and the practical driving parts of the test.

To apply for a drivers licence, you need to complete an application form (“Application for Conversion of an Overseas Driver Licence”), available from the driver licensing issuing offices listed in 1.4 below.  You will need to present two forms of documentation to prove your identity, your immigration status, your current residential address, and your current drivers licence.

If your current driver’s licence does not show the date you originally got your licence, you may need to provide evidence of this, particularly if your licence was issued in the last two years. (This is to prove you have held a full licence for at least two years).You will need to get this from the original licensing authority in the country of origin. It is best to get this before you leave home. This is a problem for many Australians  as their licences generally do not have the original issue date on them. You will need to take an eyesight test, have your photo taken, and make an appointment to sit the theory and/or practical parts of the test. You need to make the appointment to sit the tests in person as you need to produce the appropriate documentation.

Because there may be a delay in getting appointments to sit your theory and practical tests, you are strongly advised to commence the licensing process well in advance of your overseas licence or International Permit becoming invalid (i.e. well before you have been in the country 12 months). Make sure you allow enough time to ensure your existing licence will remain valid until you have completed the process, and have your Full New Zealand licence.

If you do not complete the process before your 12 months is up you will not be able to drive legally in New Zealand. If you drive on an invalid licence you can be fined, your vehicle can be impounded, and your vehicle insurance will be invalid as well.  If you fail to get your New Zealand licence in the 12 month timeframe you may be required to complete the three stages of the graduated licensing process as outlined in 1.2 above.

Please note that the Road Code does not explicitly indicate the process for holders of non-New Zealand driving licences, and there may be some regional variation in the way the process is implemented. LTNZ Factsheet 56, “Visitors and New Residents –  Driving in New Zealand”, clarifies the process (obtainable at www.landtransport.govt.nz). For further information ring the driver licensing help-line (0800 822 422) or the LTNZ helpdesk (0800 699 000).

New Zealand citizens returning from overseas after a lengthy absence must upgrade to a new photo driver licence within 90 days of their return to New Zealand. They will not need to re-sit their test provided they have a current New Zealand licence, and do not require re-testing for any other criteria such as age.  If your New Zealand licence has been lost or exchanged for a licence of another country, and provided you have a clean driving record, you can apply for a replacement licence which will normally be granted without the need to re-sit provided you have proof of identification (eg passport).

Driver licences are issued, and testing is undertaken, by LTNZ agents. These vary from area to area but include AA Express, Vehicle Testing New Zealand, and Vehicle Identification New Zealand. Contact addresses for the Wellington & Auckland  regions are shown below. Note that not all agents offer practical driver testing services.

Elemensa Tip

Make sure when applying for your New Zealand licence that you answer “No” to the question asking if you want your address printed on your licence. If you have your address printed on your licence you will need to renew your licence any time you change your address.

If you are required to sit the practical test, we recommend that you have at least one lesson from a reputable driving school. A professional driving instructor will be able to tell you about the focus of the test, and can take you over the likely routes. Plan to take the test at non-peak traffic times, and avoid school closing times, i.e. schedule it for between 10am and 2pm.

1.4 LTNZ Driver Licensing Agents:

Note that not all agents offer practical driver testing services, and opening hours vary. A full list is held on www.landtransport.govt.nz, under Driver Licensing, “Location of Driver Licence Agents”

Wellington Area:

AA Express

Level 1, 342 Lambton Quay, Wellington (no practical tests)

29 Waterloo Rd, Lower Hutt (practical tests)

25 Queen St, Upper Hutt (practical tests)

North City Plaza, Porirua (outside the mall in Lydney Place South) (practical tests)

Kapiti Lights, Amohia St, Paraparaumu (practical tests)

Vehicle Identification New Zealand

15-19 Parliament St, Lower Hutt (no practical tests)

Vehicle Testing New Zealand

156 Adelaide Rd, Newtown, Wellington (the only centre for practical driver tests in Wellington city itself)

37 Seaview Rd, Petone (practical tests)

Auckland Area:

AA Express

19 Omega St, Albany

99 Albert St

8 Quay St  (practical tests)

Meadowlands,112 Whitford Rd, Howick (practical tests)

50 Cavendish Drive, Manukau (practical tests)

419 Great South Rd, Penrose

137 King St, Pukekohe (practical tests)

Lynn Mall, Memorial Drive, New Lynn

Cnr Lake Rd/The Strand, Takapuna

Westgate Power Centre, Fernhill Drive, Massey (practical tests)

Hillary Square, Orewa (practical tests)

Vehicle Testing New Zealand

5 Sylvia Park Rd, Mt Wellington

2-14 Sparton Rd, Takanini (practical tests)

14 Subway Rd, Pukekohe (practical tests)

384 New North Rd, Kingsland

Cnr Manu Tapu Drive & Tahinga Lane, Auckland Airport

AA Vehicle Testing

77 Felton Mathew Avenue, Glen Innes

53 Princess St, Onehunga

On Road

333 Ti Rakau Drive, Pakuranga

Vehicle Identification New Zealand

79 Carbine Rd, Mt Wellington

Waitakere City Testing Station

9 Moselle Ave, Henderson

For details of the driver licensing agent nearest you, or for specific queries on driver licensing, call the Driver Licensing Helpline (0800 822 422) or access the LTNZ web site, www.landtransport.govt.nz.

2. Driving in New Zealand

2.1  Traffic hazards

New Zealand has a relatively high death and injury rate resulting from automobile accidents.  The main factors are speed, alcohol, driver capability and road conditions. While the standard of New Zealand roads is generally good, the multi-lane divided motorways extend only a short distance from the major cities.

The major highways, such as State Highway 1, are one lane each way, and can be winding and steep in parts.  Passing lanes are provided on major highways in places. Some rural roads are unsealed, covered with loose gravel.  In such areas, slow down and take extra care. In winter, chains may be required for mountain roads. To check road conditions before heading on a trip, call the Automobile Association on 0900 33 222. You will be charged for the call.

2.2  Road Rules

All new residents and visitors should familiarise themselves with the New Zealand road rules, by obtaining and reading “The Official New Zealand Road Code and Licence Guide for Car Drivers”, published by Land Transport New Zealand.  This book is available from bookshops, the Automobile Association, and some service stations.

Some key points to note are:

• Keep left. In New Zealand, we drive on the left-hand side of the road.  For those coming from countries that drive on the right, it is particularly important to concentrate on this aspect at all times, particularly when turning onto the road. Please also ensure that all children are aware of the difference when crossing roads.
• Obey speed limits. Maximum speed in urban areas is 50km/hour and on open roads is 100km/hour.  The maximum speed when towing on the open road is 80km/hour. Speed cameras and laser guns are operated by the New Zealand Police.
• Do not drink and drive. The legal limit is 80mg alcohol per 100ml of blood for persons of at least 20 years of age, and 30mgs alcohol per 100ml blood for persons under 20 years of age.  The law is strictly enforced, and checkpoints are often set up to test all drivers passing through.  You must stop at a checkpoint, or at any other time when requested to do so by a police officer. You will be initially tested by a device that checks your breath for any evidence of alcohol.  If this is positive, you will be required to take a breath screening (breathalyser) test.  If this shows your alcohol level to be high you will be required to accompany the officer to take an evidential breath test.  You can ask to speak to a lawyer at this point, and you can elect to take a blood test rather than an evidential breath test. If you are above the legal limit, your keys will be taken from you.
• Always wear your seatbelt – it is a legal requirement for drivers and all passengers  to wear seatbelts if they are fitted.  Children under five years must be in an approved child restraint.  If no seatbelt is available, children under 15 years must sit in the back seat.
• Always carry your driver’s licence.
• Do not use hand held cell phones while driving. As of November 1 2009 there is now a law that use of hand held cell phones is prohibited while driving.
• When turning, give way to all traffic not turning.  In all other situations, give way to all traffic crossing or coming from your right. Note that when you are turning left, you must give way to all vehicles coming from your right, and those coming towards you and turning right. This rule differs from that in most other countries, but is currently under review.
• Be particularly careful on roads where the shoulder may be gravel, or the entire road is unsealed. Slow down.
• Some parts of New Zealand are very hilly. The first things we learn  how to do are a “hill start” using the hand brake (park brake) and a “three (or more!) point turn”.  Always use your handbrake when starting on a hill, and when parking the car. Do not just rely on “Park” to hold the car if you have an automatic car – use the handbrake as well.
• Motorways (freeways) in New Zealand are confined to city approach roads. The main state highways are usually one lane each way, with some passing lanes.  You should drive in the left lane of a motorway unless passing another vehicle, but note that many drivers do swap lanes frequently and will undertake slower vehicles in the fast lane.

Some aspects of the New Zealand Road Code that may be unfamiliar include:

• The “Give Way” sign is used instead of “Yield”.
• When you are turning left, you must give way to all vehicles coming from your right, and those coming towards you and turning right.
• You may not use a red light as a “Give Way” or “Yield”, i.e. you may not turn left on a red light.
• An “LSZ” sign denotes a limited speed zone.  This means you can drive at the open road speed limit (100 kph) provided road, weather and traffic conditions are good, otherwise you must drive at 50 km/hour.
• A circular white sign with a diagonal black band indicates that the open road speed limit of 100kph applies, except for school buses and vehicles towing trailers which must not exceed 80kph.
• Children operate school patrols in the mornings and afternoons.  When the school patrol sign is extended you must stop and remain stopped until the signs are withdrawn.
• You must give way to pedestrians on both sides of a pedestrian crossing, unless it is divided by a raised traffic island.
• When passing a School Bus that has stopped to pick up or set down children, the speed limit is 20km/hour from either direction.
• Angle parking is normally front-facing unless otherwise stated, i.e. you reverse out.
• You may not park in the opposite direction to the traffic flow.
• Roundabouts are a form of intersection. Note that roundabouts are one-way, with traffic coming from your right as you approach the roundabout. You must give way to all traffic already on the roundabout, and coming from your right. To make a right turn at a roundabout you must proceed in a clockwise direction around the roundabout to the exit you wish to take, and then you must signal your intention to turn left at the exit in plenty of time. If more than one lane is marked then use the appropriate lane depending on where you will exit the roundabout.

2.3  Demerit Points

Demerit points are given for all speeding infringements (except speed camera offences) and some other traffic offences.  If you get 100 or more demerit points within 2 years you will be suspended from driving for three months.  By way of example, exceeding the speed limit by 21-30km/hr will incur 35 demerit points – the Road Code lists the other offences. Note that demerit points are imposed in addition to any other penalty, such as a fine, that may be imposed.

3. Owning a Vehicle in New Zealand

New Zealand has one of the highest rates of car ownership in the world. AC Nielsen 2005 figures indicate 89% of New Zealanders over 16 years own a car. World Bank 2000-2001 figures ranked New Zealand as the highest country for per capita car ownership, with 578 cars for every 1000 residents. Many households have more than one  car, and it is common for teenagers to have their own cars.

3.1  Buying a New Car

Until 1998, new cars in New Zealand were either assembled in this country from kits, or were imported as fully built-up vehicles.  The New Zealand government has since removed all tariffs on imported new cars.  This has reduced the overall cost of new cars, but has  resulted in a shutdown of the vehicle assembly industry in New Zealand, so all new vehicles are imported as fully built-up vehicles. New cars are purchased from dealers who hold the franchise for a particular brand. Contact addresses for particular dealers can be found in the Yellow Pages under “Car Dealers-New”.

Dealers will normally allow you to take a car on a test drive, overnight in some cases. It is worth trying to negotiate a discount with dealers, or ask to have extras such as air conditioning, CD player etc included at no extra cost.  If sales are sluggish they might just agree! Finance deals are normally available from dealers, however the cost of this finance should be compared with finance from other sources, such as banks.

It is also possible to lease a private vehicle, although this is more common for company vehicles. The quarterly Automobile Association magazine, “Directions”, lists new car prices for certain makes and models available in New Zealand.  These are also available on the Internet, at www.nzaa.co.nz and www.auto.co.nz.

3.2  Buying a Used Car

Where from?

You have several options when looking for a used car to buy.  You can source one  from:

• The newspaper (private and dealer sales)
• Specialist vehicle sale magazines, e.g. Trade & Exchange, AutoTrader
• Dealer car-yards
• Car auctions (such as Turners)
• Car fairs, normally held on weekends in a vacant car park.
• The Internet.  You can search for a desired make and model across multiple dealers at www.auto.co.nz. The Automobile Association site www.aacarfair.co.nz is an online private vehicle sales service for AA-appraised cars. The TradeMe auction site is very popular with car sellers and buyers, www.trademe.co.nz. Other sites are www.autobase.co.nz and www.carfair.co.nz.

Note that you will have greater protection in the event of a problem through buying from a member of the Motor Vehicle Dealers Institute (MVDI).  These dealers are denoted as “LMVD”, Licensed Motor Vehicle Dealer.  A dealer may also provide some level of warranty on the car, which a private individual will not do. The dealer will usually handle the change of ownership process for you as well. Buying at auction is often cheap, but it is more difficult to give the car a thorough inspection and test drive before you buy.

The Automobile Association (AA) and Vehicle Testing New Zealand (VTNZ) provide  technical pre-purchase inspection services, and it is advisable to get this done before finalising any purchase.  Land Transport New Zealand provides safety ratings for some models of used cars on its website, www.landtransport.govt.nz. It is often worth haggling over the price, and make sure to check out any warranty provisions, and get these in writing. See 3.3 below for details of the change of ownership process. To get an idea of the market value of a used vehicle, www.redbook.co.nz will provide emailed valuations for a small fee. The “red book” is a major source of competitive information for the vehicle industry.

Imports

The relaxation of import regulations has seen large numbers of used cars imported to New Zealand, particularly from Japan. This has led to cheaper prices, and possibly the world’s greatest variety of models, on the used car market, but buyers of imported used cars should be aware of potential pitfalls.  Many cars have been found to have odometers that have been wound-back, and the papers falsified. From 1 April 2002, all car imports must comply with frontal impact standards. This means cars manufactured before 1996 are unlikely to be imported in the future.

Cars imported to New Zealand before February 2002, and being offered for sale, may not comply with the standards. Other issues to check with imported used cars are the availability of parts, the likely insurance premiums, and the compatibility of features, e.g. radios set up for Japanese conditions that may not work in New Zealand.

The Consumers’ Institute of New Zealand recommends the following when buying a secondhand import:

• Get the seller to provide evidence the odometer has not been tampered with.  This should include the car’s paperwork and a manufacturer’s database check.
• If the seller cannot provide this evidence, then attempt to verify the odometer reading by having a brand franchise dealer check the chassis number against the manufacturer’s database to get the odometer readings and service records. You could also ask a mechanic or the Automobile Association to check the car to see if its condition is in line with its odometer reading.

If the seller does not have the paperwork for the car by way of ownership records and service records, we recommend you not to buy it. It may have sustained serious damage and the odometer may have been tampered with.

Motor Vehicle Securities Register / “Autocheck”

The Ministry of Commerce administers a Motor Vehicle Securities Register.  This records all security interests (such as hire purchase agreements) recorded against vehicles, i.e. those vehicles where money is still owed on them. When buying a used vehicle, ring “Autocheck” on 0900 90977 before purchasing to check that the vehicle is unencumbered (calls cost $5 plus GST).  You will need the registration number and the chassis/VIN number of the vehicle when calling.

Other service providers that will allow you to check the background of the vehicle include:

AutocheckExtra 0900 55 007 (www.autocheckextra.co.nz)

AA Autoreport  0800 500 333 (www.autoreport.co.nz)

Vehicle Information Report 0800 843 847 (www.vir.co.nz)

3.3  Vehicle Registration and Change of Ownership

All vehicles using public roads in New Zealand are required to be registered.  This process issues number plates and registration papers.

New Vehicles

New vehicles are generally registered on your behalf by the dealer who sells the car.  The new Certificate of Registration will be posted to you.

Used Vehicles

When purchasing a used vehicle, check that the car has a Warrant of Fitness (WOF) that is not more than one month old. Diesel vehicles must be sold with a current Road User Charges (RUC) Licence. The seller will ask you to sign a form which they then send to the Motor Registration Centre.  As the buyer, you must obtain the Certificate of Registration from the seller, and take this to a Land Transport New Zealand (LTNZ) agent (see 3.9 below) along with proof of your identity (driver’s licence or passport).

You can  ask the LTNZ agent to check  that the vehicle has not been reported stolen, and that it is registered and licensed. To do this you will have to complete an application form and pay a small fee. Complete the reverse of the Certificate of Registration (Notice of Change of Ownership of Motor Vehicle, MR13) and present these documents.  You will need to pay a change of ownership fee. Ask the LTNZ agent for a Change of Ownership Card and forward this to the seller as proof of the change of ownership. Your new Certificate of Registration will be posted to you.  The seller may require you to present the Change of Ownership card before releasing the vehicle to you (see Elemensa Tip below), as this card proves you have changed over the ownership of the vehicle and released them from liability for the vehicle.

When selling a vehicle, ensure the vehicle has a current Warrant of Fitness, less than one month old. Complete the bottom part of the reverse of the Certificate of Registration (Notice By Person Selling/Disposing of Motor Vehicle).  The form must be signed by you and the buyer, then post this to the Motor Registration Centre (the address is incorporated in the form) within seven days.  Hand the old Certificate of Registration to the buyer so that they can complete the change of ownership. For your own protection, you should not release the vehicle to the buyer until you have proof of payment (e.g. any cheques have cleared, or better still, get the buyer to provide a bank cheque) and proof that the buyer has completed the change of ownership with an LTNZ agent, as you will be liable for the vehicle until this is done. Both private buyers and sellers of vehicles can complete the change of ownership process online, at www.ltsatransact.govt.nz, if they hold a New Zealand driver’s licence.

Elemensa Tip

When buying or selling a used car privately, a convenient way to protect both parties is to arrange to meet at the LTNZ agent to exchange the money (bank cheque), do the transfer of ownership transaction, and hand over the vehicle. That way each party knows the process has been fully completed before handing over either money or vehicle.

Relicensing Your Vehicle

Your vehicle must be relicensed every year if it is driven on the road.  You will receive a reminder notice from Land Transport New Zealand (LTNZ).  You must take this notice to an LTNZ agent, and pay the appropriate fee to relicense your vehicle.  You will receive a barcoded label that must be displayed facing to the outside of the vehicle in a plastic pocket in the inside lower corner of the windscreen on the passenger-side.

The current annual fee to relicense a private petrol car is $183.22  including GST for one year. You can relicense for 3 months, 6 months or 1 year. Some major new car dealers/service agents are licensed LTNZ agents. In this case it is possible to get them to service your car, issue the WOF, and relicense your car all at the same time.

Personalised Plates

You can order personalised plates (up to 6 characters)  for your car or for investment by contacting Personalised Plates on 0800 655 565.  Personalised Plates will check your  requested plate for availability against their database, and your order can be processed by credit card over the phone. It may take several weeks for your plates to be issued.

3.4  Warrant of Fitness

All vehicles that are driven on the road in New Zealand must have a current Warrant of Fitness (WOF). Vehicles that are less than six years old and have not been used or registered in any other country must be inspected every 12 months by an approved garage or vehicle testing station, and issued with a current Warrant of Fitness (WOF).

Vehicles that are six years or older or imported as a used vehicle from another country must  be inspected every six months. The WOF label should be placed in the top right-hand corner of the windscreen and must be clearly visible from outside the vehicle. When a car is sold, the WOF must be no more than one month old. The current fee for the WOF inspection is around $40.

3.5  Road User Charges

Road taxes are usually collected as part of the price of petrol.  However this is not possible for diesel fuel as so much of it is used for purposes other than road transport. If you own a diesel-powered vehicle, you must purchase Road User Charges (RUC) in advance from an LTNZ agent, and display this in your vehicle. If purchasing or selling a diesel-powered vehicle, note that the vehicle must have a current RUC licence when it is sold. For further information on Road User Charges call 0800 655 644.

3.6  Fuel

All petrol in New Zealand is unleaded.  Two octane ratings are available, 91 and 96. 91 is used by most modern cars, although 96 is required by some older cars and some high performance models.  Some cars require an additive to be added with the unleaded petrol. While most cars will use petrol (gasoline), some vehicles may use diesel.  In this case refer to the comments above on Road User Charges.

Some vehicles may also have been modified to use LPG or CNG, although this is not as common as it used to be.  Not all service stations carry LPG and CNG. Some service stations are “full serve” where you are served by an attendant or can serve yourself if you wish. There are some unattended stations that are totally self-serve, and you pay by EFTPOS or credit card. Petrol prices are normally a little cheaper at these stations.

3.7  Insurance

Cars can be insured in New Zealand for either third party only or fully comprehensive.  Third party insurance covers you only for damage to another party, whereas fully comprehensive will cover damage to your own vehicle as well as to other parties.  It is not a legal requirement to have insurance, but it is highly recommended that you do. There are many vehicle insurers in New Zealand.  We strongly recommend shopping around to compare quotations, as the difference in annual premiums can run into hundreds of dollars.  Some companies will offer discounts if you put all your insurance with them, i.e. house, contents and vehicle.

Some insurers are not keen to insure unusual or expensive cars, will not insure for business use, will not insure non-New Zealand licensed drivers (or may charge higher premiums), place very high excesses on young drivers, etc, depending on their underwriting criteria. We have found that State Insurance will generally insure most vehicles and drivers, and National Auto Club specialises in insuring those who find it difficult to get insurance elsewhere. We recommend you check out that your car can be insured, and what the premium will be before finalizing your purchase.

Some insurers have better reputations than others for paying claims, and their approach to repairs and write-offs.  The Consumers’ Institute publish results of  their member survey assessing satisfaction with particular insurers,  but there is really no objective way to measure the likelihood of a satisfactory payout by your insurer in your unique circumstances.  There certainly doesn’t seem to be any provable link between high premiums and a good reputation for paying out on claims!

Remember to obtain documented evidence of your claims record from your previous insurers so that you can qualify for any no-claims discounts that might apply. Remember to obtain your New Zealand driver’s licence within 12 months of arrival to take up residence. If  you fail to do this your insurer would refuse to pay out in the event of an accident as you will be an unlicensed driver.

3.8  Automobile Association

The Automobile Association (the AA) provides a range of services,  including emergency breakdown services, pre-purchase vehicle inspections, road reports, retail products, maps, travel advice, discounts on insurance, finance services, international driver’s licences, a customer loyalty programme in conjunction with BP, and a monthly member magazine. To join the AA visit or phone one of its service centres (0800 225 646) or check the website www.aa.co.nz.

3.9  Land Transport New Zealand Agents

Note that not all registration and RUC services are provided by all agents.

• Automobile Association (AA)
• Vehicle Testing New Zealand (VTNZ)
• AMI Insurance
• New Zealand Post PostShops (note that New Zealand Post does not issue new number plates)
• Vehicle Identification New Zealand
• BP service stations
• Some major car dealers
• Other independent agents

For further information on vehicle registration and licensing  issues, call the Transport Registry helpline on 0800 108 809.

4. References

The Official New Zealand Road Code & Licence Guide for Car Drivers Land Transport New Zealand. Road User Charges Land Transport New Zealand (June 1997). www.landtransport.govt.nz Land Transport New Zealand (formerly Land Transport Safety Authority) web-site.

5. Driver’s Glossary

AA	Automobile Association, motorists’ service organisation.
Certificate of Registration	Ownership Papers
Clearway	Road subject to parking restrictions at certain hours.
CNG	Compressed natural gas, used as an alternative to petrol by some vehicles
Coupon Parking Areas	Areas on the fringe of Wellington City which require a pre-purchased coupon to be shown. Most areas allow a free period of up to 3 hours before a coupon must be displayed.
LPG	Liquid petroleum gas, used as an alternative to petrol by some vehicles
LTNZ	Land Transport New Zealand. Administers vehicle registration and Road User Charges
Metal	Gravel, unsealed road.
Motorway	Freeway, autobahn.
Personalised Plate	Customised, non standard licence plate number
Registration Number	Vehicle licence number plate number. Issued by New Zealand Post when vehicle is first registered.
RUC	Road User Charges, paid in advance by users of diesel-powered vehicles
Service Station	Petrol Station, Garage, Gas Station, Bowser. Larger stations usually have a convenience store/ mini-supermarket attached.
WOF	Warrant of Fitness, certificate of roadworthiness for your vehicle.

6. Table of Contents

Table of Contents