Notice to importers of low-powered vehicles

Revision history

• This was previously 'Notice to importers and users of mechanically powered scooters'.
• This will now become the site on which the Director's Gazette notices on low-powered vehicles are summarised.
• A Gazette notice was issued on 2 February 2006 by the Director of Land Transport declaring power-assisted pedal cycles powered by a motor with a maximum power output not exceeding 300 watts not to be motor vehicles.
• On 25 September two sentences were added explaining that the Director of Land Transport will wait until after the Ministry of Transport and Land Transport NZ have agreed on operating rules for vehicles with power output between 300 and 600 watts before declaring any of them to be 'not motor vehicles'.

February 2006 update

Land Transport New Zealand has been approached by a number of retailers and individuals wishing to import low-powered vehicles for use in New Zealand. Examples are motorised scooters where the small motor on these scooters changes their classification under New Zealand's transport law.

Is my low-powered vehicle a 'motor vehicle'?

This depends on the vehicle's power output as well as its design and performance capability.

The Land Transport Act 1998 was recently amended to clarify the legal situation regarding vehicles of this type. The Act allows the Director of Land Transport to declare that vehicles whose power output is less than 600 watts are 'not motor vehicles'. The Ministry of Transport and Land Transport NZ are currently developing policy to determine appropriate operating rules for vehicles with power output between 300 and 600 watts. Once this policy is agreed the Director of Land Transport will consider whether to declare these vehicles to be 'not motor vehicles'.

If the power output is more than 600 watts, the vehicle is a motor vehicle.

In terms of vehicle type, a low-powered vehicle such as an electric or petrol-powered scooter whose power output is:

• between 0 and 600 watts is currently classified as a moped (but this may change by means of declarations in the future)
• more than 600 watts is classified as a moped
• more than 2000 watts is classified as a motorcycle.

Factsheet 43 Mopeds contains a summary of the legal requirements for mopeds. It also tells you where mopeds may be ridden, what components they must have and what performance standards they must meet in order to comply with the requirements of the applicable Land Transport Rules.

Contacts

If you have any questions or concerns about importing or purchasing a vehicle described in this notice, contact Land Transport New Zealand:

• Email us: info@nzta.govt.nz
• Call our Helpdesk: (freephone) 0800 699 000.
• Write to us: Land Transport New Zealand, PO Box 2840, Wellington.

Last updated: 25 September 2007
Page created: 15 November 2002