Motor vehicle trader registration

Motor vehicle traders must be registered

Any person meeting the definition of "motor vehicle trader" set out in the MVSA must be registered to legally carry on the business of trading in motor vehicles.

Either an individual or a company can register as long as they have not been disqualified from registration.

New persons involved in the management of a motor vehicle company must supply registration information, and make a statutory declaration that they are not disqualified from registration.

Overseas directors need only provide a signed certificate that they are not disqualified from registration instead of a statutory declaration, unless three other people concerned in the management of the company have done the same thing.

See here for a definition of a 'banned person'.

You can seek an exemption from registering as a motor vehicle trader

Anyone can seek an exemption from registration by applying to the Minister of Consumer Affairs. There is a format for applying for exemption which is set out in the MVSA regulations.

How do I register?

If you want to register as a motor vehicle trader you must:

• complete and sign an application form
• complete a statutory declaration declaring that you are not disqualified from registration 
• pay a registration fee. 
• In the case of a company, a person involved in the management of the company (eg, a director or manager) carries out these steps. Each person involved in the management of the company must complete a statutory declaration.

Registrations can be made online at the Motor Vehicle Traders Register – operated by the Ministry of Economic Development, or on paper. Paper registration forms can be requested by phoning 0508 MOTOR TRADERS (0508 668 678) or can be downloaded from the MVTR website. More information on the registration process is available online at the MVTR website or by phoning 0508 MOTORTRADERS (0508 668 678) for assistance.

Visit the Motor Vehicle Traders Register website.

A company that registers as a motor vehicle trader will have obligations and responsibilities under the Companies Act that are separate from the requirements of the MVSA.

For more information visit the New Zealand Companies Office website.

Information required for applying

When making your application, you must give:

• your full name, residential address, date of birth and occupation 
• the proposed trading name of your business 
• any other information required.

If a company is applying, the manager must give:

• the name of the company, the date and place of incorporation, the registered address and principal type of business 
• the company's incorporation number 
• the full name, residential address, date of birth and occupation of each individual concerned with the company's management 
• the proposed trading name of the motor vehicle trading business 
• address for service 
• any other information required.

Application accepted

If your application is accepted, the Registrar will enter your name on the Register and give you written notice of the date your registration takes effect. You will also be sent a Certificate of Registration.

Application refused

If the Registrar refuses your application, you will be notified in writing of the decision and the reasons for it, within 10 working days after the decision is made. You can appeal this decision to the District Court (see MVSA, section 64 – Right of appeal for more information).

Certificate of Registration

All registered motor vehicle traders will be supplied with a Certificate of Registration that includes a registration number and the expiry date. The Certificate of Registration should be displayed at your place of business. You must also show your Certificate of Registration, or a copy of it, to anyone who asks to see it.

The Ministry of Economic Development's Motor Vehicle Traders Registry have developed an example Certificate of Registration [PDF].

How long is the registration effective?

Your registration is effective for 12 months unless it is cancelled or surrendered earlier. Registration cannot be transferred.

Renewal of Registration

You must renew your motor vehicle registration every 12 months and must confirm the trader’s name, address, trading name, and persons involved in the management of the company.

Your application for renewal must be made to the Registrar before your original registration expires. Renewal notices will be automatically sent to registered traders prior to expiry – as long as their current address details are correct. Traders can select the "maintain application" option from the Traders Services section of the Motor Vehicle Traders Register.

What if an application for renewal is not decided before the expiry date?

Your current registration stays valid until the application is decided, as long as it was received before the expiry date.

What about renewal after the expiry date?

Renewals after the expiry date will be treated as new applications, not renewals.

What happens if there is a change in circumstances?

You must notify the Registrar within 10 working days if any of your registration details change. You can maintain your address and details or your company information online at the Motor Vehicle Traders Register by using your MVT Number and Key (a personal identification code) sent to you when you applied for registration. Otherwise you must notify the Registrar in writing.