On 1 November 2026, changes to warrant of fitness (WoF) and certificate of fitness (CoF A) frequency and inspections will come into effect.

Frequency changes

The WoF changes affect all light vehicles, excluding agricultural vehicles. CoF A frequency change only affects light rental service vehicles.

Expiry dates for the vehicle’s current WoF or CoF A remain the same, and the new frequency will take effect at their next WoF or CoF A.

To balance WoF volumes across years, vehicles aged 4-7 and 7-14 years old will change frequency at different times. Please refer to the table below for more detail.

New WoF label books

WoF label books which support the new frequencies will be available to order from 1 October 2026.

Inspection changes - ADAS

From 1 November 2026, WoF and CoF A inspections will need to check that no warning or malfunction indicators are showing for any advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) that fully or partially assist with steering or movement of the vehicle.

This applies to all light vehicles that are fitted with these systems.

ADAS are features that control the steering or speed of the vehicle without action from the driver, such as Lane Keep Assist or Automatic Emergency Braking and fall within the four categories below.

If a warning or malfunctioning indicator is shown, the vehicle inspector must record the category of ADAS the vehicle has failed in the notes section of the check sheet.

Check sheets

A new fault code has been added to WoF and CoF A check sheets under ‘Internal Inspection’ and the check sheet specification document has been updated to reflect the change.

Check sheet specification

NZTA check sheets will be available to order through Bluestar from 1 October 2026.

VIRM updates

VIRM changes and a technical bulletin on ADAS will be published on 1 November. We’ll send previews around mid-October.

Penalties and fines

To reflect the increased responsibilities on drivers to maintain the safety of their vehicles with the frequency changes, some fines will increase in value:

• WoF overdue by greater than 2 months increased to $350 (was $200)
• Tyre and wheel non-compliance increased to $350 (was $150)

More information

If you have any questions, please contact modernisingvehiclecertifications@nzta.govt.nz