Factsheet 74 – March 2009

Vehicle registration cancellation

What does it mean to cancel the registration of my vehicle?

Cancelling the registration of a motor vehicle means that it is removed from the Motor Vehicle Register and the registration plates are returned to a NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) agent. When the registration of a motor vehicle is cancelled it is often referred to as being de-registered.

The registration of a motor vehicle should be cancelled when it has reached the end of its life as a motor vehicle and is no longer, or can no longer be used on New Zealand roads.

Cancelling the registration of a motor vehicle is important because it lets the NZTA know that the motor vehicle is no longer being used. If you don't cancel the registration the NZTA will automatically cancel the registration for you after 12 months have gone by without the vehicle having a current licence. If this happens you will still be required by law to pay the 12 months worth of licence fees. If you cancel the registration at the time that the motor vehicle becomes unusable, licence fees are only required to be paid up to the date of cancellation. If the licence for the vehicle is current when the registration is cancelled then you may even be eligible for a refund of the unused portion of the licence fees.

How do I cancel the registration of my motor vehicle?

First of all you need to be certain that the motor vehicle will not be required for road use on a permanent basis. If you cancel the registration and then want to use the motor vehicle on the road again at some point in the future, you will need to re-register the motor vehicle with new registration plates.

If you are certain you want to cancel the registration then follow the steps below:

1. Fill out an Application to Cancel Registration (form MR15). These forms are available from the NZTA Plate Agents shown at the bottom of this factsheet. You will be required to select one of the following reasons for cancellation. The vehicle has:
   • become permanently useless as a motor vehicle, or
   • is destroyed completely and will never be able to go back on the road, or
   • is written off by an insurer, or
   • is removed permanently from New Zealand
   You are not entitled to  cancel the registration if:
   • the vehicle has been stolen and not recovered
   • you are not the registered owner
   • the plates were lost or stolen
   • you are only wanting to replace the registration or personalised plates
   • you have found the plates and are only handing them in
   • you have sold the vehicle and the new owner has failed to transfer ownership (see Factsheet 41)
   • you are temporarily taking the vehicle off the road.
   If any of the above applies, and you require information on what to do, you can email us at info@nzta.govt.nz or telephone 0800 108  809.
2. You will be required to present ID so ensure you have this ready to show the NZTA Agent. Acceptable ID is:

   For an individual

   • A New Zealand driver licence.
   • Any combination of documents showing name, date of birth and signature.

   For a company

   • A NZTA card number.
   • A Certificate of incorporation.
3. Ensure the registration plates are removed from the motor vehicle so these can be returned with your application. If the plates are not returned then you may not be entitled to a refund of licensing fees.

What happens next?

Take your application and the registration plates to an NZTA Plate Agent for processing. If the licence for the motor vehicle has already expired you will be required to pay licence fees from the date the licence expired up to the date of cancellation. If you are unable to pay these at the time, the NZTA will post a payment demand to you for these fees shortly after cancellation

Once your application has been processed the Motor Vehicle Register will be updated and the registration cancelled. Refunds of any unused portion of a licence are required to be approved by the NZTA and cannot be issued by the NZTA Plate Agent.

What happens if I don't cancel the registration?

If the vehicle is required to be continuously licensed and the registration is not cancelled, the NZTA will automatically cancel the registration 12 months after the last licence or licence exemption has expired. If this happens and the licence fees remain unpaid, the outstanding fees will be sent to debt collection.

Vehicles subject to Road User Charges (RUC)

Before cancelling the vehicle's registration you must ensure that all RUC is up to date. If there is any outstanding RUC, legal action may be taken to recover the outstanding fees.

Refunds may be granted after the vehicle's registration has been cancelled if there is unused distance, and it is less than two years since the RUC licence was purchased.

When cancelling your vehicle's registration you will need to provide the following with your MR15 form:

• The current odometer or hubodometer reading of your vehicle.
• The current RUC licence label/s (original), if there is a refund due.

If anyone other than the registered owner or insurance company wants to apply for a RUC refund they will need to make their request in writing with the current RUC label (original) to:

RUC Refunds
P O Box 1947
Palmerston North Central
Palmerston North 4442

Questions and Answers

Who can cancel the registration of a motor vehicle?

• The registered owner.
• An insurance company.

What if I am not the registered owner?

You will need to complete a Notice of Change of Ownership of Motor Vehicle (form MR13B) before you can cancel the registration.

What if I am the registered owner but I am unable to get to an NZTA agent?

As the registered owner you will need to complete and sign the MR15 form and write your New Zealand driver licence number on the form as identification. You can then have someone present the MR15 form and registration plates to an agent with your original identification.

What if I can't get the registration plates off my vehicle and I want a refund of licensing fees?

• If your vehicle has been in a fire or accident and the registration plates are unable to be recovered, you will need to get a letter from the police or fire brigade confirming this.
• If the vehicle was taken to a wrecker and has been destroyed or dismantled, you will need to get a letter from the wrecker confirming this.

Note

• The transaction fee paid at the time the licence was purchased is non-refundable.
• Refunds are not payable on licences purchased more than two years ago.

Checklist

• Are you the registered owner or insurance company?
• Do you have the appropriate identification, written on the form and to present to the agent?
• Do you have the registration plates?
• Is your vehicle subject to RUC and is the RUC up to date
• Do you have the current odometer reading or hubodometer reading
• Do you have the current RUC licence label/s

Important

If your motor vehicle's registration has been cancelled and it will be used on a public road at a later date, there are several steps you need to follow first – inspection, certification, reregistration, licensing, and getting registration plates and labels issued to you (see Factsheet 9).

Where you can find out more

• Email us: info@nzta.govt.nz
• Phone our motor vehicle licensing and registration contact centre: 0800 108 809
• Write to us: NZ Transport Agency, Private Bag 6995, Wellington 6141.