VEHICLE LICENSING | Coastal Autos

At Coastal Autos, we’re all about making life easier for our locals. When the Papamoa Post Office shut its doors, we knew our community still needed a place to license their vehicles — so we put up our hand. We're proud to offer this service right here at our workshop. It’s purely for your convenience — we don’t make a cent from it. We just believe in going the extra mile to make things simple and stress-free for our customers and neighbours.

If your vehicle is over 3500kg, uses diesel or any other fuel that isn’t taxed at the source, or is a light electric vehicle, you’ll need to pay road user charges (RUC).

View a full list of vehicle types, weights and RUC rates on the Waka Kotai website.

When you buy RUC you pre-pay for the distance you’re going to travel, in units of 1000km. Complete a Road user charges distance license application (RUCLA) form and pay the application fee of $13.71. You’ll need to know your vehicle plate number, year, make, model and current odometer/hubodometer reading.

Buying or Selling a Vehicle

Let Waka Kotahi know you’ve sold a vehicle by completing a Selling or disposing of a vehicle? (MR13A) form.

When you purchase a new vehicle, complete a Change of registered person - buyer (MR13B) form.

If you’re an individual, you’ll need your New Zealand driver licence or proof of ID with your full name, signature and date of birth. If you’re an organisation, you’ll need your New Zealand Business Number (NZBN) or your Waka Kotahi customer number.

Find out more about buying and selling a vehicle on the Waka Kotahi website.

Vehicle Licensing (rego)

Pay for your vehicle license in store at Coastal Autos and receive your license label straight away.

Fees are based on your vehicle type, usage, and how long you choose to license.

For the current common licensing fees including petrol and non-petrol driven, taxis, rental, trailers, motorcycles, trucks, van or utility, visit the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency website.

Choose your license period on the reminder notice you received in the mail, or complete an Application to license motor vehicle (MR1B) form. To complete the MR1B form, you’ll need to know your vehicle plate number, year, make and model.

Road User Charges

My car needs the lower control arm bushes replaced, what are they and why are they important?

Lower control arm bushes play a crucial role in your car's suspension system. These rubber or polyurethane components sit between the control arm and the vehicle's frame, providing cushioning and reducing vibrations. They help to absorb the shocks and bumps from the road, ensuring a smoother and more comfortable ride. Additionally, they maintain proper alignment of the control arms, which helps to keep your wheels aligned correctly, enhancing steering stability and handling. Over time, these bushes can wear out or become damaged, leading to a less smooth ride and potential handling issues. Regular inspection and replacement, when necessary, are important to keep your vehicle driving smoothly and safely.
Why do I need to replace the engine mount in my car?

Replacing the engine mounts in your car is essential for maintaining a smooth and safe driving experience. Engine mounts are designed to secure the engine to the vehicle's frame while absorbing vibrations and shocks. Over time, these mounts can wear out or become damaged due to the constant stress and strain they endure. When engine mounts fail, you might notice increased vibrations, clunking noises, or even misalignment of the engine. Replacing worn or damaged engine mounts not only improves the comfort of your ride by reducing vibrations but also ensures that the engine remains properly aligned and securely in place, preventing potential damage to other components and maintaining overall vehicle stability.
What are the signs my suspension needs attention?

If your ride feels bumpy, your car pulls to one side, or there's a knocking noise over bumps, your suspension could be worn. It’s best to get it checked before it affects safety.
When should I get a wheel alignment?

You should get a wheel alignment if your vehicle pulls to one side, your steering feels off-centre, or your tyres are wearing unevenly. It's also a good idea to have it done after replacing suspension parts, getting new tyres, or hitting a decent pothole or curb. A proper alignment helps your car drive straight, improves tyre life, and saves fuel too.