How to re-register your car after it has lapsed over 12 months

‍Re-registration of a vehicle is required to ensure your vehicle is legally roadworthy in New Zealand, and those who have allowed their registration to lapse for 12 months or more will need to have their vehicle go through a re-registration certification. Passenger vehicles can only remain unlicensed for 12 months. If you’re a motor vehicle trader, you have 24 months to re-license your vehicles. However, any non-passenger vehicles such as trailers can also remain unlicensed for 24 months. The re-registration certification is a rigorous process and ensures that vehicles are safe to be driven on the road by fellow kiwis. The cost to re-register your car is estimated to be around $750+GST per vehicle.

Below is the simplified 5-step process of re-registering your vehicle:

‍1.     Visit a premise where an entry certifier operates from, e.g. Fasttrack Compliance or VINZ.

2.     The trimmers will remove all trim from the vehicle.

3.     The NZTA entry certifiers will inspect the following:

a.     Brakes

b.     Doors

c.     Exhaust Condition

d.     Fuel system condition

e.     Vehicle Tints

f.      Lighting performance and condition

g.     Safety belts        

h.     Speedometer

i.      Steering and suspension

j.      Structural condition (the trim will be removed so the certifiers can check for any weld marks and ensure any repairs are to the appropriate standard)

k.     Wheel and tyre condition

l.      Windscreen washers and wipers

4.     The vehicle will pass its re-registration certification. Or if the certifier fails a car for any reason, those issues can be fixed and rectified, and the car will be signed off.

5.     You will be issued a new MR2A form which will allow you to re-register your vehicle. You will then be given a brand-new set of number plates.

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When re-registering a car, most people may find it intimidating since it isn't the same as having a simple warrant of fitness (WOF) like we're used to. However, utilising a one-stop shop will help ease the stress of the unknown by providing a comprehensive service.

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‍What are one-stop compliance and mechanical workshops?

A one-stop shop in the compliance and mechanical field is a company that can offer Compliance, Re-registration services, andWarrant of finesses. Moreover, they facilitate the repairs necessary to pass each of these services. The one-stop shop like Fasttrack will inform you of the cost involved in rectifying those issues if your car fails. Those issues can then be fixed without you having to pick up the car and take it to another workshop.