What is the difference between rego and WoF in NZ? Do I need both?
Yes, you need both to be current to drive legally. Rego is the vehicle licence, a fee you renew regularly, shown by a label on your windscreen. A WoF (warrant of fitness) is a regular safety check. Your vehicle must have a current WoF or CoF before you can renew its rego.
Official figures
- What rego is
- The vehicle licence, the label on your windscreen, usually called rego. A vehicle must have rego before you use it on a public road.3
- What you need before you can get rego
- The vehicle must have a current WoF or CoF before it can be licensed and used on the road (a few vehicles, such as mopeds, are exceptions).3
- How long you can renew rego for
- Up to 12 months. You can choose any period up to 12 months.4
- What the rego fee includes
- A licence fee and ACC accident insurance levies. A licence is not issued for any period when the ACC levies have not been paid.4
- Rego cost for a petrol private car
- NZ$181.45 for 12 months (including GST, renewing online; for licences starting on or after 1 July 2026)7
Official sources
- Get a warrant of fitness or certificate of fitnessDepartment of Internal Affairs (Govt.nz) · govt.nz
- Changes to light vehicle inspections from 1 November 2026NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (Vehicle Inspection Portal) · vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.nz
- Vehicle licensing and road user chargesDepartment of Internal Affairs (Govt.nz) · govt.nz
- Land Transport (Motor Vehicle Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2011Parliamentary Counsel Office (New Zealand Legislation) · legislation.govt.nz
Read the full guide: Vehicle registration (rego) and warrant of fitness (WoF) →
People also ask
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- WoF is changing to every 2 years. When does this start for my car?
- My car failed its WoF. What do I do, and do I pay again for the recheck?
- Can I drive with expired rego? What is the fine?
- I'm going overseas for a few months. Can I put my rego on hold?
- Do I need to pay RUC for an electric or diesel car? How much is it per 1000 km?
Answers are based on official New Zealand government pages. Check the official source before you act. This is not immigration, legal or tax advice.
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