Vehicle identification numbers (VINs) help combat fraud and are the main way we identify vehicles for registration and other processes.
Warrant of fitness and certificate of fitness inspections check the VIN. The police or vehicle inspectors may also check the VIN during roadside inspections.
Vehicles that require a VIN
Most vehicles require a VIN. It’s the manufacturer’s or importer’s responsibility to ensure a new vehicle has a VIN.
Some vehicles already have VINs assigned and attached overseas before they get to New Zealand. Otherwise, an entry certifier will issue and attach a New Zealand VIN at entry inspection .
Your vehicle may not need a VIN, if it has a frame or chassis number and:
- was first registered before 1 April 1994
- entered or was manufactured in New Zealand before 1 February 1994.
But, if the frame or chassis number has been removed, your vehicle must have a VIN. Only entry certification agents can allocate and fix VINs onto your vehicle.
VIN requirements
VINs must conform to International standards as well as New Zealand Legislation .
- ISO 3779 – Road Vehicles – VIN Content and Structure
- ISO 3780 – Road Vehicles – World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) code.
NZTA issues WMIs to vehicles in New Zealand — manufacturers can apply online for a WMI .
Importers or owners may be required to provide information to decode a VIN during the Entry Certification and Registration process. Manufacturers VIN decode information can be emailed directly to FRR@nzta.govt.nz .
A person must not remove, erase, alter, deface, obscure, destroy or obliterate a VIN or chassis number.
A vehicle inspector must not issue a WoF or CoF to a vehicle with a removed, erased, altered, defaced, obscured, destroyed or obliterated VIN or chassis number.
However, if a vehicle can be appropriately identified NZTA will authorise the affixing or re-affixing of a new VIN.
These vehicles should be referred to a VIN issuing Agent (AA, Drivesure, Nelson Vehicle Testing Centre Ltd, VINZ, & VTNZ). They will inspect the vehicle and seek approval from NZTA to issue or re-issue a VIN plate.
Where to find the VIN on your vehicle
VINs can be:
stamped into the vehicle structure (often the firewall) during manufacture
stamped on a metal plate and fixed onto the vehicle body
etched onto the rear window of the vehicle.
What to look for
Used import: NZ Transport Agency-assigned VIN prior to 29 November 2009
Used import: NZ Transport Agency-assigned VIN from 29 November 2009
Factory issued VIN for a truck
Factory issued VIN for a car
