Correct as at 30th March 2024. It may be superseded at any time.

Extract taken: from Vehicle Inspection Portal > VIRMs > Entry certification > Technical bulletins > Category A left-hand drive vehicles

33 Category A left-hand drive vehicles

Situation

Under Land Transport Rule: Steering Systems Amendment (2010), a class MA left-hand drive vehicle under 20 years old may be certified for entry into New Zealand if it is granted a Category A left-hand drive vehicle permit by Waka Kotahi.

The person issued with the Category A left-hand drive vehicle permit does not have to be the importer of the vehicle.

Application

This document applies to any class MA left-hand drive vehicle less than 20 years old that is undergoing entry certification in New Zealand, which has been granted a Category A left-hand drive vehicle permit and is appropriate for certification to enter service in New Zealand.

Obtaining Category A left-hand drive vehicle permits

To obtain a Category A left-hand drive vehicle permit, an applicant must:

1. apply to Waka Kotahi before the vehicle is certified for entry into service in New Zealand; and

2. pay the appropriate fees specified in accordance with regulations made under the Act.

Note 1

All applications must have the applicant’s declarations witnessed by an entry certifier. The complete application with all the supporting evidence is then sent to Waka Kotahi by the entry certifier.

A Category A left-hand drive vehicle permit may be issued if:

a) is of historic value; or

b) is a model that was not manufactured in right-hand drive form, and

a) is a New Zealand citizen or resident, and

b) has not been issued with a Category A left-hand drive vehicle permit in the last two years, and

c) has submitted a complete and correct application, including a signed declaration, and

d) has paid to Waka Kotahi the appropriate fees specified in accordance with regulations made under the Act.

Qualifying criteria for Category A left-hand drive vehicle permits

To meet qualifying criteria for a Category A left-hand drive vehicle permit, the applicant must provide evidence that the vehicle model was not manufactured in right-hand drive form and meets at least three of the following requirements:

a) a two-door coupe, or

b) a convertible

Conditions for Category A left-hand drive vehicle permits

1. Waka Kotahi may not issue more than 500 Category A left-hand drive vehicle permits in any calendar year.

2. A Category A left-hand drive vehicle permit ceases to be valid if the vehicle is not inspected at the border or certified for entry within six months of the date of issue.

Note 2

A Category A left-hand drive permit that ceases to be valid in the calendar year it was issued will not be counted as part of the quota of 500 per annum.


Inspection

The following flowchart explains the procedure for processing a Category A left-hand drivevehicle for entry certification.

Category A LHD flowchart

Step 1 – Documentation

Category A left-hand drive vehicles must still meet those standards applicable to the vehicle (according to age, etc).

The VIRM: Entry certification details the standards a vehicle and its components are required to meet. See Inspection & certification Table 1-1-1 for methods to demonstrate compliance with required standards.

Where compliance with an approved standard cannot be proven by these methods, the following methods are acceptable alternatives:

Step 2 – Submit to Waka Kotahi for processing

The completed application form and all required documentation for a Category A left-hand drive vehicle permit must be submitted to Waka Kotahi.

Reference material 51: Category A left-hand drive vehicle permit application

A letter advising of the result (approved or declined) and the permit (if approved) will be sent to the entry certifier for forwarding to the applicant.

Step 3 – Compliance inspection

Category A left-hand drive vehicles must be inspected according to the requirements outlined in the VIRM: Entry certification.

If a vehicle has been modified, it must have LVV certification.

If there is evidence of previous structural repairs, structural damage or corrosion to a vehicle, it must be referred to a repair certifier for inspection and certification.

Step 4 – MR2A completion and vehicle registration

1. Entry certifiers must retain copies of all documentation in their original form for a minimum of two years. If the vehicle owner requests that original documents be returned to them, verified copies must be retained in the vehicle file. The recipient’s name and the reason for return must be recorded in the LANDATA notes.

2. Where code A is entered, a note stating the following must be added to the vehicle notes:
‘Vehicle ceases to qualify for left-hand drive exemption if the registered owner changes before [DDMMYYYY]’.
The date specified must be either four years after first registration in New Zealand or when the vehicle reaches 20 years of age, whichever is earlier.
The owner’s name must match the name shown on the permit.

3. Update LANDATA with special permit code A.

4. The MR2A must be completed and printed in the name of the person registering the vehicle. This must be the same as the name shown on the permit.

If an entry certifier wishes to deviate from these instructions, they must obtain written approval from Waka Kotahi.

Page updated 16 October 2023 (see update details)