Short version: if a vehicle won't be used on the road for at least 3 months in a row, you can apply to NZTA to put its rego on hold for up to 12 months. There's no fee to do it, and you pay no licence fees while it's on hold. You can't drive it on a road during that time.
What "rego on hold" actually is
Most vehicles have to be licensed all the time, whether you drive them or not. That's called continuous vehicle licensing. The only way to stop paying without cancelling the registration is an exemption from licensing, which is what NZTA calls putting your rego on hold.
It's useful for:
- a car sitting in the garage while you're overseas
- a motorbike you don't ride over winter
- a project car waiting on repairs
- a trailer or caravan you only use in summer
How to apply
- Online: on NZTA's website, with your NZ driver licence, the vehicle's plate number, and a card or internet banking details.
- At an agent: fill in NZTA's form MR24, "Put your vehicle licence (rego) on hold", at an NZTA agent.
Apply before you stop using the vehicle. Choose how long you want the hold to last, between 3 and 12 months.
NZTA's reminder emails don't have clickable links, to protect you from scams. Go to the NZTA site yourself rather than following a link in a message.
The 60-day catch
If the vehicle's licence (or an earlier exemption) has already been expired for 60 days or more, NZTA says you'll have to pay licensing fees for that time first. So don't let it lapse and then try to put it on hold later. Apply while the licence is current, or within a few weeks of it running out.
What you save
You stop paying for the months it's on hold. Using NZTA's fees for licences starting after 1 July 2026:
| Vehicle | 6 months off the road | 12 months off the road |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol car | $95.06 | $181.45 |
| Diesel or electric car | $128.74 | $248.83 |
| Motorbike, petrol, 251–750cc | $307.48 | $606.29 |
| Motorbike, petrol, 751cc and over | $412.56 | $816.45 |
| Light trailer or caravan | $38.85 | $69.04 |
For motorbikes the saving is biggest, because most of a bike's rego is the ACC levy. See motorbike rego costs for the full table, and rego costs for cars for everything else.
While it's on hold
- You can't drive it on a road. It can only be used off-road, on private land.
- Insurance is separate. Putting rego on hold doesn't change your insurance. Check with your insurer if you want to reduce cover while the vehicle is parked.
- The WoF keeps ticking. A hold doesn't pause your WoF. If it runs out while the vehicle is off the road, you'll need a new one before you relicense.
Getting it back on the road
When you're ready to drive again, relicense the vehicle like a normal renewal: online or at an agent. You'll need a current WoF or CoF to do it. If the hold ends and you don't relicense, continuous licensing starts again and fees build up as they would for any unlicensed vehicle.
If a vehicle stays unlicensed (and not on hold) for 12 months, NZTA cancels its registration, and you still owe the fees.
Common questions
How long can I put my rego on hold in NZ?
From 3 months up to 12 months at a time. The vehicle must be off the road for at least 3 months in a row.
Does it cost anything to put rego on hold?
No. NZTA charges no admin fee for an exemption from licensing. You may have to pay any fees already owing if the licence has been expired for 60 days or more.
Can I put my rego on hold for less than 3 months?
No. Three months is the minimum. For shorter breaks, it's usually simpler to renew for a shorter period when you're back on the road.
Can I drive my car while the rego is on hold?
Not on a road. A vehicle with an exemption from licensing can only be used off-road.
Sources: NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Put your licence (rego) on hold, Licensing (rego) fees and Getting your vehicle licence (rego). Checked October 2026. General information, not legal advice.
Work it outRego calculatorWhat car, motorbike, moped or trailer rego costs for 3, 6 or 12 months, with the ACC levy split out.Open the free tool →