Staff Reporter
31 July 2025, 4:47 AM
From 1 September, vintage vehicle and private motorhome owners will no longer need to queue up twice a year for inspections.
New rules will shift these checks to once a year.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop confirmed the change, calling it "commonsense and freeing people up to enjoy their vehicles."
The update affects around 128,000 vintage light vehicles (40 years or older) and 39,000 privately owned heavy motorhomes across the country.
Public support was clear. Ninety-eight percent of submissions backed annual inspections for vintage cars, and 89 percent supported the same for motorhomes.
These vehicles are often driven less and cared for more.
They are also half as likely to be at fault in serious crashes compared to modern vehicles.
For Coasties, this means more time behind the wheel and less time in the queue.
Whether it's a well-loved classic parked in the garage or a motorhome prepped for a long getaway, this update brings a welcome win for local owners.
The change is part of the Government’s wider Land Transport Rules Reform Programme.
A broader review of WoF and CoF rules for all light vehicles is still to come.
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