Sustainable driving

Car requirements

To drive your car (or other light vehicle) safely and legally on the road it must have the right equipment (in good working order) and have a current warrant of fitness (WoF). This section explains what your vehicle must have.

Warrant of fitness (WoF)

Privately operated cars, utes, vans and four-wheel drives must have a current WoF. Commercial vehicles and heavy vehicles must have a current certificate of fitness (CoF).

A current WoF shows the vehicle has been inspected by an approved WoF inspector and was roadworthy at the time of the last WoF inspection.

The WoF label is attached to the inside of the windscreen, on the same side as the steering wheel, and must be clearly visible from outside the vehicle. The recommended position is in the top corner of the windscreen.

The WoF inspector will give you a copy of the check sheet. This is a receipt of payment for the inspection and is not a warrant of fitness. If your vehicle failed its WoF inspection, the receipt gives you 28 days to have the vehicle fixed and brought back for re-inspection without any additional payment. During that time you are only allowed to drive the vehicle to get it repaired and re-inspected.

How often do I need to get a WoF?

If your vehicle was first registered (in New Zealand or overseas) less than six years ago, it requires a WoF inspection every 12 months.

If your vehicle was first registered more than six years ago, it requires a WoF inspection every six months.

Features your car must have

To meet the WoF standard, your car must be in good condition (no rust around safety areas) and it must have the following equipment in good working order:

1. A number plate light at the back.
2. Two red reflectors at the back.
3. Two red position lights at the back.
4. One or two red high-mounted stop lights at the back.
5. A working horn.
6. A current WoF.
7. A rear-view mirror that gives a clear view behind.
8. A good sun visor.
9. A windscreen that meets safety standards and is clean.
10. One or more working windscreen wipers.
11. A working speedometer.
12. Two good headlights that can be dipped when another vehicle comes towards you.
13. Two red stop lights at the back.
14. Flashing direction indicator lights at the back.
15. A good silencer and exhaust system.
16. Mudguards.
17. Safe tyres – the tread depth must be at least 1.5 millimetres right around the tyre.
18. Working safety belts.
19. Good footbrake and handbrake.
20. Doors that open and close safely.
21. Safe steering.
22. Flashing direction indicator lights at the front.
23. Two white or amber position lights at the front.

Carrying a load on your car

• Do not overload your roof rack.
• Your load must not extend more than 3 metres forward of the front edge of the front seat or 4 metres behind the rear axle.

• Your load must not extend more than 1.25 metres on either side from the centre of the vehicle.

Note: if a load extends more than 1 metre beyond the back of your vehicle, you must tie on a white flag, or a red, orange or yellow fluorescent flag. The flag must be at least 40 centimetres by 30 centimetres in size. The load must be tied on firmly and must not touch the ground.

Safety belts

Approved safety belts must be fitted in all light passenger vehicles: cars, vans, utes and four-wheel drives.

The safety belts must be in good condition. You should have safety belts checked immediately if:

• the buckles are not working properly
• the belt is damaged or faded
• the belt starts to fray.

They may need replacing.

Legal requirements for safety belts have changed over the years and are different depending on the age of the vehicle. The type of belt has also changed from static belts to retractor belts.

Three-point (lap and diagonal) belts must be fitted in the outer seating positions (including the driver's seat) in most cars, vans, utes and four-wheel drives. Two-point (lap) belts are legally allowed in centre seating positions, but three-point belts provide better safety.

You must wear your safety belt when driving. Children must also be belted-in, using approved child restraints. See About driver responsibility for more information.