The main point of this blog is to explain the process of re-registering a motorcycle in New Zealand.
In this particular case, the bike still had its original "silver text on black background" registration plate.
The registration had long since lapsed for this bike.
0800 108 809
I rang the
NZTA (New Zealand Transport Agency),
[NOT the LTSA (Land Transport Safety Authority)] in Palmerston North and asked if I would be able to re-register the bike with its original silver on black plates. The guy on the phone asked me for the rego number of the old plates and did a quick check to see if they were still in the "system".
In my case, the plates were still in the system and no one had requested that plate as a personalised plate so it was still effectively available.
He then asked me to send a picture of the plate through to:
I emailed through a photo of the plate. This was just to make sure that the plate was an original old plate that was still in good condition.
Eight days later Tania replied with this email:
Hi TuckerBag,
Reference: 20230993
We have authorised the re-issue of the black and silver plate 95JNS for the Yamaha when it is re-registered.
You will need to arrange for the Agent processing the registration application to call me on 0800 366 988, Ext 8364 as I will need to update the record of the plate to
enable it to be re-issued.
Agents able to certify and register the vehicle are:
AA
Vehicle Testing NZ, and
Vehicle Inspection NZ.
It
would be helpful if you could take any relevant documentation with you
as the inspector will want to confirm you are entitled to register the
vehicle before he approves
it for registration - refer to Factsheet 9 Re-registering your vehicle
attached.
Regards
Tania
Fact Sheet 9 is
here. It is a must read if you are intending to re-register a motorcycle in NZ.
Of special concern to me was the 5 steps required to re-register a vehicle, and in particular step 1:
Five steps to reregistering a vehicle
Step 1
Take the vehicle to a TSD agent with proof that it has been
previously registered in New Zealand and that you’re the person
entitled to reregister the vehicle.
The proof of previous registration can be old registration papers
or documentation that verifies the vehicle’s VIN or chassis
number, eg registration plates and a warrant of fitness
checksheet, or registration plates and insurance policy
documents that show the VIN or chassis number.
The TSD agent will need to be satisfied that these documents
demonstrate that the vehicle, when originally registered, was
designed and constructed according to the requirements
applying at that time. For example, vehicles manufactured before
1991 don’t need to meet as many vehicle standards.
I was worried about the PROOF.
I had previously owned the bike and KNEW that it had been previously registered with the old plate that it still had on it.
However, I had no way of proving that.
So I emailed back to Tania:
Hi Tania,
Thank you very much for that. Much appreciated.
I was actually hoping that you may be the one who was able to supply me with proof that the vehicle has indeed been previously registered in New Zealand.
Is this not the case?
As a previous owner of the vehicle, I know the vehicle has been previously registered in New Zealand, but it is unlikely that I can find a way to prove it.
Any further help or advice would be most appreciated.
Cheers,
TuckerBag.
Tania replied almost instantly:
HiTuckerBag,
The bike is showing on our system and VTNZ/VINZ or AA will be able to see that. The only info we have is this:
02/04/1982
02/11/1990
YAMAHA CAAFTG90355
You need to read the five steps to re-registering a vehicle which is on the factsheet I sent you. You have to deal with VTNZ/VINZ
or AA now. I only approve the reuse of the plate but I don't think you will have any problems.
Cheers, Tania
OK, so I just took that to mean that even though they state in black and white that you need to supply proof, that in actual fact, there is probably a bit of give and take in the system and it is fairly likely that everything will just be taken on my word: that it is in fact the original plate. Yay,..good ol' NZ,... population: stuff all. Hence basic trust still exists.
NOTE: It is important to get this all sorted BEFORE you take the vehicle in to get a VIN. Vehicle Identificatiln Number
.
As it turns out, the number above, CAAFTG90355, is the ID number of my vehicle in the landata database. It is not a VIN number.
VTNZ could not see my bike in their system UNTIL they tried this ID number.
Even though Tania from NZTA said that VTNZ, VINZ and AA would be able to see my vehicle in the system, this turned out to be NOT the case and it was only via the landata database ID number that VTNZ was able to "see" my vehicle.
