Upcoming changes to the Motor Vehicle Sales Act 2003

Changes to the Act

In April we said there would be some small changes to the Motor Vehicle Sales Act 2003 (the Act). These changes will start on 22 October 2025 through an Order in Council. The Act will be updated on the same date.

Review the April article

View the amendments under Part 15(external link) — New Zealand Legislation

View the Order in Council(external link) — New Zealand Legislation

What the changes mean for motor vehicle traders

From 22 October, all online application forms for registration, including renewal applications will be updated.

You will be asked to provide the following additional information.

• A certified copy of an identity document, which can be your passport or driver licence. For companies, this applies to each role holder listed in the application.
• An email address that can be used as an address for the service of documents. This email address will also be published on the Motor Vehicle Traders Register.
• Your NZTA Customer number - for renewal applications. 
• A rural address can be listed as a physical address for the service of documents.

Important: If you have a draft application in progress, you should complete and submit your application no later than 5pm on Tuesday 21 October. 

We will update the relevant webpages to show the changes. 

Transitional provision advice for registered companies

The amendments also include a change to the notice period, specifically the timeframe for notifying the Registrar that a new person is concerned in the management of a registered company. 

Currently, the Registrar must be notified of a change within 30 working days. From 22 October, this is reduced to 20 working days. 

Other application form updates for registered companies

The legislation changes remove the need for a role holder to sign the application form. You still need to include a signed statutory declaration. However, role holders will no longer need to be logged in to the portal to also complete the required checkboxes.

The following changes aim to streamline the application process. For company applications, this means:

• First-time or reapply applications must now include a statutory declaration from one role holder that also confirms:
  • the application is true and correct
  • no role holder is a disqualified person.

A standardised statement has been included in the declaration form for ease.

• Renewal applications require a certificate of confirmation signed by one role holder listed in the application.

Both forms will be downloadable and editable from the portal and can be uploaded once completed.