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Vehicle infringements Vehicle infringements

Vehicle infringements are issued for offences related to vehicle condition, parking, and the use of bus and transit lanes.

Without parking and road rules our streets would be chaotic as people clog bus lanes or park wherever they want for as long as they want. Rules, fines and infringements are tools used in most cities to help moderate motorist behaviour, reduce traffic congestion and assist in the sharing of parking spaces.

The rules for road use and parking are mostly made at a national level, with some specific rules made for local conditions. The amount for fines is set at a national level.

Auckland Transport's Parking Officers are legally warranted to provide enforcement services for the rules that apply throughout Auckland.

Vehicle ownership

When a vehicle is bought and sold, both the buyer and seller are required by law to notify the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) immediately. However, there are times when a vehicle changes ownership and the seller of the vehicle completes their section of the paperwork but the buyer does not, leaving the vehicle in the registered ownership of the seller.

See the NZTA website for instructions of what buyers and sellers must do to change vehicle ownership.

Use this handy tool on the NZTA website to check and update your address with NZTA.

If you receive an infringement notice for a vehicle after you had notified NZTA of the sale of the vehicle, you can request to transfer liability of the infringement to the new owner.

Using bus lanes

Bus lanes play an important role in keeping Auckland moving by prioritising buses in peak hours.

Bus lane monitoring is increasing, so watch our video to learn when you can use a bus lane and how to do it right.

Learn more about bus and transit lanes. 

Zone parking and special event restrictions

Parking zones

Auckland Transport has implemented zone parking areas. Sign placement for zone parking is different from the sign placement for a linear parking restriction.

Zone parking restrictions only require signage at the entry and exit points, to stipulate the zone. Repeater signs are then placed at no more than 200 metres.

This is in accordance with the Land Transport Rule: Traffic Control Devices Amendment 2010 section 12.4(14) and 12.5(3).

Shared zones

It is an offence to stop a motor vehicle within a shared space. This includes where the driver is sitting in the vehicle, the motor is running, the hazard lights are flashing, or the driver is picking up or dropping off a passenger.

The only exception is between 6am and 11am daily, when a vehicle may stop to make a delivery or drop-off, provided it does not stop for longer than 5 minutes.

This is in accordance with the Land Transport Rule: Traffic Control Devices 2004 section 12.5 (3).

All shared spaces only require signage at the entry and exit points, to stipulate the zone. Repeater signs are then placed at no more than 100 metres.

Vehicles must give way to pedestrians, and motorists must drive to the conditions as indicated on the signs.

Special event parking restrictions

Orange and white advisory signs are erected 5 to 10 working days before an event takes place. These display the restriction type, date and times the restriction will apply.

During an event, Auckland Transport puts temporary parking restrictions in place. Temporary signs are erected 12 to 24 hours before the event takes place and removed after the event. In some areas, signs are erected on the day of the event, but any vehicles parked prior to this will be removed by a safety tow with no fee charged.

It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that their vehicle is parked legally, in accordance with any signs in the area. This includes temporary parking restriction signs. 

Towage fee

Auckland Transport may tow vehicles for multiple reasons, including causing obstruction, road safety or public interest. When a Parking Officer calls for a tow truck, the towage fee is incurred as soon as the truck is called, whether or not the vehicle has been lifted or moved.

Schedule 1B of The Land Transport (Offences and Penalties) Regulations 1999: Towage fee – If expenses are incurred by an enforcement authority in respect of the movement or proposed movement under section 113(2)(c) or 128E of the Act of the vehicle involved in the offence (whether or not the vehicle is in fact moved), the infringement fee is the total of the amount specified above in respect of the offence and the amount of the appropriate towage fee (including any goods and services tax payable in respect of the towage fee).

Legislation

Auckland Transport has the authority to issue infringement notices to vehicle owners under this legislation:

Safety at the school gates policy

Auckland Transport has taken a serious approach to addressing the safety and congestion that often occurs outside school gates. Therefore, enforcement of a zero-tolerance policy on parking infringements outside schools is in place.

It is imperative for motorists to ensure they park in a legal manner to ensure the safety of schoolchildren at all times.

The zero-tolerance approach means that if parents or other motorists park illegally, they will instantly receive an infringement notice. This approach is very successful and is helping reduce the danger to children as well as improve traffic flow around schools at this busy time of day.

Types of vehicle infringements