New vehicle inspection rules come into force on November 1, meaning many drivers will no longer need a Warrant of Fitness (WoF) every year.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said in a statement that the changes reflect improvements in vehicle safety and reliability, while also introducing new inspection checks and tougher penalties for unsafe vehicles.

Under the new rules, newly purchased vehicles will require their first WoF when they are four years old.

Cars aged between four and 14 years will move to a two-year WoF cycle, while vehicles older than 14 years will continue to require annual inspections.

Motorcycles more than four years old will still need a yearly WoF, and rental vehicles requiring a Certificate of Fitness A (CoF A) will move to annual inspections.

Drivers should note existing WoF expiry dates will not change, with the new inspection frequency applying after a vehicle’s next inspection.

NZTA head of vehicle regulation Geoff Williamson said road safety remained central to the inspection system.

“A WoF or CoF confirms that a vehicle met the required safety standards when it was inspected. Vehicle owners are responsible for keeping their vehicle safe to drive at all times, including between inspections.”

Inspections will also now include checks for warning lights linked to advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), such as lane keep assist and automatic emergency braking.

Vehicles with qualifying faults will need repairs before receiving a WoF or CoF A.

The changes are accompanied by increased penalties. The infringement fee for driving with a WoF expired by more than two months will rise from $200 to $350, while the fee for unsafe wheels or tyres will increase from $150 to $350.

NZTA is encouraging motorists to regularly check tyres, lights, indicators, wipers, mirrors and brakes, and to have any safety concerns inspected by a qualified mechanic.

The move to two-year WoFs for vehicles aged four to 14 years will be phased in.

From November 1, 2026, it applies to vehicles first registered on or after November 1, 2019. Vehicles first registered between November 1, 2013 and October 31, 2019 will follow from November 1, 2027.