Make yourself more visible. Keep your light on, wear high-viz and a light coloured helmet.
THE RULES
Laws and rules for scooters are there to help keep riders safe. Learn which rules you need to know about: the right driver licence, approved helmets, vehicle licence and Warrant of Fitness.
KNOW WHAT YOU'RE RIDING
Bikes classed as mopeds have either an engine capacity of no more than 50cc and a maximum design speed of 50kph. All other bigger scooters are classed as motorcycles.
MUST HAVE A DRIVER'S LICENCE
To ride a moped you need to have a driver licence of any class. So a car driver licence (Class 1) is OK. The minimum is a learner driver licence, but this is not ideal. To ride a scooter classed as a
motorcycle you must have a
motorcycle licence (Class 6).
WEAR AN APPROVED HELMET
By law you must wear a helmet that meets a New Zealand approved international standard, check out NZTA website. There should be a label inside the helmet saying which standard it meets.
RIDE WITH THE HEADLIGHT ON
You must ride with your headlight on at all times (except if your bike was manufactured on or
before 1980).
DISPLAY VEHICLE LICENCE LABEL
Every scooter must have a current vehicle licence label and it must be displayed on or near the number plate. Some people call this the ‘rego’.
SOME SCOOTERS NEED A WARRANT OF FITNESS
Scooters that are classed as motorcycles must have a current Warrant of Fitness. Scooters that are classed as mopeds don’t need a Warrant of Fitness, but it’s your responsibility to make sure your moped is kept in a safe condition and has all the legally required equipment. You’ll find a checklist on the NZTA factsheet 43 about mopeds.
REGISTRATION
Your scooter number plate must be displayed so that it is clearly visible. Also registration includes the details of the owner, so if you’re selling make sure the change of ownership is completed or you’ll still be legally responsible for anything that happens to the scooter.
COUNCIL RULES
For information about your local council’s rules on scooter parking and riding in bus lanes go to What’s up.
CARRYING PASSENGERS
Your scooter must have a large enough seat for two people to sit comfortably and
have footrests for your passenger which they can reach with a firm footing.
Passenger must wear an approved helmet and be able to hold on securely to the rider or the
pillion grab rail. No passenger is allowed if driver is on an L or R licence.
