Vehicle exhaust noise
If, after conducting a stationary tail pipe test, a vehicle inspector considers that your vehicle's exhaust system may be too noisy, they can require your vehicle to undergo an objective noise test. For most vehicles this won't be an issue - they are manufactured to meet accepted noise standards. However, this could be an issue if you have modified your vehicle's exhaust.
The objective noise test:
- provides a more in-depth assessment than the subjective noise test carried out in WoF checks
- provides a workable scientific method for measuring vehicle exhaust noise
- sets decibel limits that are appropriate for the current New Zealand vehicle fleet, given the advances, in the last two decades, in vehicle technology.
See what the objective noise test involves.
The noise of your vehicle may not be related to your exhaust system and the police have different penalties for noise depending on what causes it. If the cause is a noisy exhaust, they can issue you with an infringement notice and/or withdraw your WoF.
Read the detailed requirements for exhaust systems in the Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Equipment 2004.
Fuel consumption information
We require information about the fuel consumption of every light vehicle when it is entry certified. This doesn't apply to motorcycles. The consumption information helps transport decision makers draw up policies to improve the fuel economy of New Zealand's vehicles and reduce fuel consumption.
You too can access this information, which can be helpful when choosing your next vehicle. See:
- the Fuelsaver website (external link) to compare the fuel economy of different makes and models
- the Rightcar website (external link) to compare a range of car performance features, including fuel economy.
Read the detailed requirements for fuel consumption information in the Land Transport Rule: Fuel Consumption Information 2008.
If you're importing a vehicle
You can use our online tool to provide the fuel consumption compliance information. You simply need to enter your vehicle data on the website. You'll then receive a fuel consumption certificate which you take to the entry certifier.
Exhaust emissions
Most vehicles entering New Zealand must be manufactured to meet an approved emissions standard. This includes:
- new and used vehicles
- light vehicles, except motorbikes
- heavy vehicles, except trailers
- vehicles operating on petrol, LPG, CNG or diesel.
Entry certifiers check the vehicle's compliance with emissions standards as part of assessing a vehicle for registration for use on New Zealand roads.
You may not have to prove your vehicle complies with this requirement, if:
- it was manufactured before 1990
- it is a 'special interest' vehicle
- you're emigrating to New Zealand and seeking to bring a class MA, MB or MC vehicle with you.
You have a hybrid or electric vehicle?
For hybrid and plug-in electric hybrid cars you must:
- show that they are certified to meet appropriate emissions and safety standards
- provide fuel consumption information.
For a battery electric car - totally powered by electricity - you must show it meets safety standards. But you don't need to provide:
- evidence that it meet emissions standards
- fuel consumption information.
The emissions standards
The approved emissions standards we recognise are from Japan, USA, Australia and Europe. The tables below set out which requirements apply to the different vehicle types. These are for vehicles certified for use on New Zealand roads on or after 3 January 2008.
Find out which standards apply
Your vehicle is:
- a used petrol-, CNG- or LPG-powered vehicle (light or heavy)
- a new petrol-, CNG- or LPG-powered vehicle (light or heavy)
- a used diesel-powered vehicle (light or heavy)
- a new diesel-powered vehicle (light or heavy).
See the detailed requirements in the Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Exhaust Emissions 2007.
Table 1: Applicable emissions standards for used petrol-, CNG- or LPG-powered vehicles
| Certified for entry into service in NZ |
Used petrol-, LPG- or CNG-powered vehicles | |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Heavy | |
| On or after 1 January 2009 and before 1 January 2012 |
ADR 79/01; or Euro 3; or Japan 00/02; or US2001 |
ADR 80/02; or Japan 00/02; or US98P |
| On or after 1 January 2012 and before 1 January 2013 |
ADR 79/02; or Euro 4; or Japan 05; or US2004 |
ADR 80/02; or Euro 4; or Japan 05; or US2004 |
Table 2: Applicable emissions standards for new petrol-, CNG- or LPG-powered vehicles
| Date of manufacture | New petrol-, LPG- or CNG-powered vehicles | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light | Heavy | |||
| New model* | Existing model* | New model* | Existing model* | |
| Before 3 January 2008 |
ADR 79/01; or Euro 3; or Japan 00/02; or US2001 |
ADR 79/01; or Euro 3; or Japan 00/02; or US2001 |
ADR 80/01; or Japan 00/02; or US98P |
ADR 80/01; or Japan 00/02; or US98P |
| On or after 3 January 2008 and before 1 January 2009 |
Before 1 July 2008 - ADR 79/01 On or after 1 July 2008 - ADR 79/02; or Euro 4; or Japan 05; or US2004 |
ADR 79/01; or Euro 3; or Japan 00/02; or US2001 |
ADR 80/02; or Euro 4; or Japan 05; or US2004 |
ADR 80/02; or Euro 4; or Japan 00/02; or US98P |
| On or after 1 January 2009 and before 1 January 2010 |
ADR 79/02; or Euro 4; or Japan 05; or US2004 |
ADR 79/01; or Euro 4; or Japan 05; or US2004 |
ADR 80/02; or Euro 4; or Japan 05; or US2004 |
ADR 80/02; or Euro 4; or Japan 05; or US2004 |
| On or after 1 January 2010 and before 1 January 2011 |
ADR 79/02; or Euro 4; or Japan 05; or US2004 |
Before 1 July 2010 - ADR 79/01 On or after 1 July 2010 - ADR 79/02; or Euro 4; or Japan 05; or US 2004 |
ADR 80/03; or Euro 4; or Japan 05; or US2004 |
ADR 80/02; or Euro 4; or Japan 05; or US2004 |
| On or after 1 January 2011 and before 1 January 2012 |
ADR 79/02; Euro 4; Japan 05; or US 2004 |
ADR 79/02; Euro 4; Japan 05; or US 2004 |
ADR 80/03; Euro 5; Japan 05; or US 2004 |
ADR 80/03; Euro 4; Japan 05; or US 2004 |
| On or after 1 January 2012 and before 1 January 2015 |
ADR 79/02; Euro 4; Japan 05; or US 2004 |
ADR 79/02; Euro 4; Japan 05; or US 2004 |
ADR 80/03; Euro 5; Japan 05; or US 2004 |
ADR 80/03; Euro 5; Japan 05; or US 2004 |
| * 'New model vehicles' are vehicles manufactured in the year in which the vehicle model was first manufactured. 'Existing model vehicles' means anything other than a new model vehicle. |
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Table 3: Applicable emissions standards for used diesel-powered vehicles
| Certified for entry into service in NZ |
Used diesel-powered vehicles | |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Heavy | |
| On or after 1 January 2009 and before 1 January 2010 |
ADR 30/01 and ADR 79/01; or Euro 4; or Japan 02/04; or US2004 |
ADR 30/01 and ADR 80/02; or Euro 4; or Japan 02/04; or US2004 |
| On or after 1 January 2010 and before 1 January 2013 |
ADR 30/01 and ADR 79/01; or Euro 4; or Japan 05; or US2004 |
ADR 30/01 and ADR 80/02; or Euro 4; or Japan 05; or US2004 |
Table 4: Applicable emissions standards for new diesel-powered vehicles
| Date of manufacture | New diesel-powered vehicles | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light | Heavy | |||
| New model* | Existing model* | New model* | Existing model* | |
| Before 3 January 2008 |
ADR 30/01 and ADR 79/01; or Euro 4; or Japan 02/04; or US2004 |
ADR 30/01 and ADR 79/01; or Euro 4; or Japan 02/04; or US2004 |
ADR 30/01 and ADR 80/00; or Euro 3; or Japan 02/04; or US2004 |
ADR 30/01 and ADR 80/00; or Euro 3; or Japan 02/04; or US98D |
| On or after 3 January 2008 and before 1 January 2009 |
ADR 30/01 and ADR 79/01; or Euro 4; or Japan 05; or US2004 |
ADR 30/01 and ADR 79/01; or Euro 4; or Japan 02/04; or US2004 |
ADR 30/01 and ADR 80/02; or Euro 4; or Japan 05; or US2004 |
ADR 30/01 and ADR 80/00; or Euro 3; or Japan 02/04; or US2004 |
| On or after 1 January 2009 and before 1 January 2010 |
ADR 30/01 and ADR 79/01; or Euro 4; or Japan 05; or US2004 |
ADR 30/01 and ADR 79/01; or Euro 4; or Japan 05; or US2004 |
ADR 30/01 and ADR 80/02; or Euro 4; or Japan 05; or US2007 |
ADR 30/01 and ADR 80/02; or Euro 4; or Japan 02/04; or US2004 |
| On or after 1 January 2010 and before 1 January 2011 |
ADR 30/01 and ADR 79/01; or Euro 4; or Japan 05; or US2004 |
ADR 30/01 and ADR 79/01; or Euro 4; or Japan 05; or US 2004 |
ADR 30/01 and ADR 80/03; or Euro 4; or Japan 05; or US2007 |
ADR 30/01 and ADR 80/02; or Euro 4; or Japan 05; or US2004 |
| On or after 1 January 2011 and before 1 January 2012 |
ADR 79/01 and ADR 30/01; Euro 4; Japan 05; or US 2004 |
ADR 79/01 and ADR 30/01; Euro 4; Japan 05; or US 2004 |
ADR 80/03 and ADR 30/01; Euro 5; Japan 05; or US 2007 |
ADR 80/03 and ADR 30/01; Euro 4; Japan 05; or US 2004 |
| On or after 1 January 2012 and before 1 January 2015 |
ADR 79/01 and ADR 30/01; Euro 4; Japan 05; or US 2004 |
ADR 79/01 and ADR 30/01; Euro 4; Japan 05; or US 2004 |
ADR 80/03 and ADR 30/01; Euro 5; Japan 05; or US 2007 |
ADR 80/03 and ADR 30/01; Euro 5; Japan 05; or US 2004 |
| * 'New model vehicles' are vehicles manufactured in the year in which the vehicle model was first manufactured. 'Existing model vehicles' means anything other than a new model vehicle. |
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