Vehicle infringements
Tickets are issued for a range of offences related to parking, special vehicle lanes and registration. Find out how to keep safe and avoid getting a fine.
On this page
Why tickets are given
Auckland's road network operates at capacity. Enforcing the rules helps to keep our city moving and ensure safety and fairness for all road users.
Special vehicle lanes (bus and transit lanes) help buses and high-occupancy vehicles move around the city faster, easing congestion for everyone on the road.
Without enforcement, some drivers might park or drive wherever they like, with no consideration for others.
While Auckland Transport (AT) is responsible for enforcing some of the road rules within Auckland, the amount of each fine is set by the government and is the same nationwide.
The money collected from fines goes to Auckland Council to help pay for services such as libraries, the zoo, and road and public transport improvements.
The technology we use
Auckland Transport uses advanced technology to help detect both special vehicle lane offences and stationary vehicle offences. Technology helps us make sure we’re sending tickets to the right people for the right reasons.
Learn more about the ways we collect image evidence.
Depending on the offence, you may receive a ticket either attached to your vehicle or in the post.
Offences, fines and how to avoid them
Browse the offences that AT enforces. Learn more about what each one means and how to avoid getting a fine in future.
Special vehicle lane offences
You drove in a lane meant for buses. Bus lanes are important to keep our city moving and reduce congestion.
You may only enter a bus lane if you need to cross over it, and only if you use the lane for the minimum length necessary. This should be no more than 50 metres. You must also give way to any vehicles entitled to use the lane.
The maximum 50m distance is set by national rules, it is not set by AT. However, AT generally only issues a ticket when you have travelled in a bus lane for more than 70m. This means if you receive a ticket, you have exceeded the maximum legal distance by at least an additional 20m.
Next time, check the markings on the road and the signs at the entry point and along bus lanes. Some bus lanes only operate at certain hours - you can find this information on the sign.
If you do need to cross a bus lane, make sure you use it for the minimum length necessary to cross over it and no more than 50 metres. You must also give way to all vehicles that are entitled to use that lane.
Fine: $150
You drove in a lane meant only for taxis or cars with more than 2 or 3 passengers in them without meeting the criteria to do so. Transit lanes are also available to cycles, mopeds and motorcycles.
You may only enter a transit lane if you need to cross over it. You must use the lane for the minimum length necessary to cross over it and no more than 50m. You must also give way to any vehicles that are entitled to use the lane.
The maximum distance you can travel in a transit lane is 50 metres. This is set at a national level. However, AT only issues a ticket if you have travelled more than 70 metres - this means if you receive a ticket, you have exceeded the maximum legal distance by at least an additional 20 metres.
Next time, check the markings on the road and the signs at the entry point and along these special vehicle lanes.
Many transit lanes only operate at peak hours - the times will be on the sign. Outside these hours, all vehicles can use the lane no matter how many people are in the car.
Fine: $150
Paid and time restricted parking
If you parked for longer than you paid for, we call that ‘overstaying’.
To avoid a ticket, if you need more time you can either use a parking machine in the same area to pay for more time or extend your AT Park session.
The fine varies depending on the length of time you overstayed:
- up to 30 minutes $20
- more than 30 minutes but not more than 1 hour $25
- more than 1 hour but not more than 2 hours $36
- more than 2 hours but not more than 4 hours $51
- more than 4 hours but not more than 6 hours $71
- more than 6 hours $97.
You didn’t pay for parking in a paid parking area.
To avoid a ticket, check the signs and parking machines within the area or use the AT Park app.
A 10-minute grace period is given to allow time to check the signage and make payment.
Fine: $70
Unsafe and illegal parking
For these purposes, the words ‘stop’, ‘stand’, and ‘park’ all mean the same thing and the word ‘parking’ encompasses them all. A vehicle is considered parked even when the driver is present and the engine is running.
You parked for longer than the time restriction shown on the sign.
To avoid a ticket, make sure you check for time limits before you leave your car. If you need to stay for longer, be sure to return and move your car – even just down the road will be enough.
Fines depend on the length of time you stayed over the time limit:
- up to 30 minutes $20
- more than 30 minutes but not more than 1 hour $25
- more than 1 hour but not more than 2 hours $36
- more than 2 hours but not more than 4 hours $51
- more than 4 hours but not more than 6 hours $71
- more than 6 hours $97.
You parked alongside another parked car, meaning there was another parked car between your vehicle and the edge of the roadway. This can block other vehicles from leaving their parking space and create a safety hazard.
Fine: $100
You stopped or parked across the entrance to a driveway. This could be someone else’s driveway or your own. You must not block entry to or exit from any driveway.
Fine: $70
You parked on broken yellow lines. Broken yellow lines show places on the road where it is unsafe to park. This could be due to visibility issues for other drivers, safety for pedestrians, or the specific conditions of a street.
Fine: $100
You stopped or parked in a lane meant for buses to move through. Bus lanes are important for keeping our city moving and must be kept clear.
Some bus lanes only operate at certain hours and are available for parking outside those times. Make sure you check the sign to know if you can park there at that time or not.
Fine: $100
You parked within 6 metres of a bus stop sign, making it difficult or unsafe for buses to access the stop.
Fine: $70
You parked on or within 6 metres of a pedestrian crossing (zebra crossing). This can cause visibility issues for other vehicles and pedestrians.
Fine: $100
You did not park close to the left side of the road or facing the direction of travel in a one-way street.
To avoid a fine, you should park:
- parallel with the direction of traffic on the road
- as close as practicable to the left side of the road.
On one-way roads, park as close as you can to either side, facing the direction of travel.
Fine: $70
You did not park close to the left side of the road, or facing the direction of travel on the road.
To avoid a fine, you should park:
- parallel with the direction of traffic on the road
- as close as practicable to the left side of the road.
Fine: $70
Traffic islands and flush medians are there to separate traffic and improve safety and efficiency.
Parking in these areas creates a safety hazard for other road users.
Fine: $70
You stopped or parked on train tracks, or close enough to obscure the view of the train tracks.
Level crossings should always be kept clear, even when the barrier arms are up.
Fine: $255
You stopped or parked within an intersection. This can block the flow of traffic and create a safety hazard.
Fine: $100
You parked within 6 metres of an intersection. This can block other vehicles from safely moving around the intersection, or block visibility of the intersection.
Fine: $100
You parked too close to a corner or intersection in a way that was likely to obstruct traffic or another drivers’ view of the road.
Fine: $70
You parked where people walk or cycle.
Parking on footpaths or cycle paths can force these users out into the flow of traffic to get around your vehicle, causing major safety issues.
Fine: $70
You parked in a shared pedestrian-vehicle space when you weren’t allowed to.
Parking signs may allow for vehicles to stop for loading or unloading during specified hours but otherwise no parking is permitted here.
Fine: $70
You parked on or within 500mm of a fire hydrant. Fire hydrants must remain accessible to emergency services at all times.
Fine: $70
You stopped or parked in a space reserved for disabled people without displaying a mobility permit.
Mobility permits must be prominently displayed at all times. If you received a ticket but can prove someone in the vehicle had a valid Mobility permit, you can dispute your infringement.
Fine: $750
You parked in a loading zone when you were not loading or unloading.
Loading zones must be kept clear for:
- goods deliveries to or from businesses
- loading and unloading of passengers.
Fine: $70
You parked in a loading zone but were not one of the vehicles specified on the sign.
Some loading zones are set aside for particular vehicles, such as service vehicles. Passenger cars, taxis and so forth are not allowed to use these types of loading zones.
Fine: $70
You left your vehicle unattended in a loading zone for longer than allowed.
Loading zones allow you to leave your vehicle unattended for only 5 minutes, unless a longer period is specified on the sign.
Fine: $70
Only taxis and other small passenger service vehicles can use taxi stands.
Fine: $100
You parked in a clearway - a no-stopping area - during specified times.
Clearways are important to keep traffic flowing at peak times. Check the signs to see when it is operational and make sure you move your car before the clearway time starts.
Fine: $100
You parked in an area where the signs did not allow parking or stopping.
Fine: $100
You parked on the roadway when you should have parked off the roadway, on the road margin.
On narrow streets, it’s important to park responsibly so other traffic can move past and around you and find parking too. You should park off the roadway if you can do so without parking on the footpath or damaging flower beds.
Fine: $70
You left a trailer parked on the road for more than 5 days.
Fine: $100
You didn't park at the angle indicated by the road markings.
Make sure you park within the lines on the road.
Fine: $70
You left a flat deck goods vehicle angle parked during hours of darkness.
Fine: $100
Your heavy goods vehicle (mass of over 3500kg) or goods vehicle fitted with a tray for carrying goods was left on the road at night without a visible red light at the back.
Fine: $255
You parked without due care or reasonable consideration for other road users.
Fine: $100
You left a taxi, shuttle or bus unattended in a stopping place.
Stopping places are for those specified on a sign (such as taxis, shuttles, buses and other passenger vehicles) to stop and let passengers on or off. However, you are not allowed to leave the vehicle unattended.
Fine: $100
License and registration offences
Your vehicle cannot be on a road without a current license label displayed in the right way.
Labels should always be clear and visible from outside your car. Most cars and motorcycles have a special plastic sleeve to hold your registration label in.
If your vehicle does not have a current license label, ensure it is stored on private property, not parked on the road.
Fine: $200
Your vehicle was on a road without displaying a current Warrant of Fitness.
A Warrant of Fitness is a sticker that is applied to your vehicle when it has been checked and approved as roadworthy.
If your vehicle does not have a current warrant of fitness, ensure it is stored on private property, not parked on the road.
Fine: $200
Your commercial or heavy vehicle was not displaying a current Certificate of Fitness.
A Certificate of Fitness is issued to your vehicle when it has been checked and approved as roadworthy. This should be displayed on your windscreen.
If your vehicle does not have a current certificate of fitness, ensure it is stored on private property, not parked on the road.
Fine: $600
Your vehicle was on the road without a current license.
You can renew your license online through NZTA. If your vehicle does not have a current license, ensure it is stored on private property, not parked on the road.
Fine: $200
Number plate issues
Your number plate was dirty, damaged, or covered.
Your number plate must be clearly visible by day and night so your car can be identified.
Fine: $200
The plates on your vehicle are not the ones issued to your vehicle.
You can only display the number plates that are issued for your vehicle.
Fine: $200
Your number plates were not attached to your vehicle in the proper way.
There are rules about how and where to fix number plates to your vehicle in New Zealand. See the NZTA website for more.
Fine: $200
Tyre safety
One or more of your tyres was damaged or had threads showing.
Fine: $150
One or more of your tyres did not have adequate tread pattern or depth.
Fine: $150
Tips for driving in Auckland
Driving in Auckland can be intimidating if you’re unfamiliar with our roads. We have bus lanes, transit lanes, cycle lanes, and parking zones that may be different to other areas of New Zealand.
As our city grows and our roads get busier, it’s important to follow the rules so we can minimise congestion and help keep everyone safe.
You can use a bus lane to cross it, such as to enter a driveway, parking space, or make a left turn.
However, you must be in the lane for the minimum length necessary and for no more than 50m (that's about 4 bus lengths). If there is already a queue of traffic waiting to turn left, you must wait until you get closer to merge in.
Some bus lanes only operate during certain hours - look for the times on the signs along the bus lane. If there's no times shown, this means it's a bus lane at all hours and you cannot use it at any time.
If you need to cross a bus lane to turn left at an intersection, look for one of the following:
- the solid line between the lanes turns into a dotted line
- you see the "bus lane ends" sign.
Transit lanes (T2 and T3) are for cars with at least that number of occupants, as well as taxis and some other specified vehicles.
Most transit lanes are only operational for some of the day, like peak times. Look for the times on the sign. Outside of those hours, you can use the lane as normal. Remember, if there are no times on the sign then the lane is operational at all hours and you cannot use it at any time.
The AT Park app can be used to pay for AT-operated on-street parking and off-street carparks.
It's the easiest way to:
- find parking
- pay for parking
- pay for multiple vehicles to park
- manage your invoices and transactions.
You can use the map feature to see the availability and price of parking in different locations.
When you park, open the app and enter the area ID. If you have location services turned on, the app will pick up your location and suggest the closest area ID. Enter your license plate and start your parking session.
Whether you’re parking on the side of the road or in an off-street carpark, it is your responsibility to check the parking rules.
Rules that exist nationwide such as no parking on footpaths, no parking across vehicle entrances, and so forth do not require signage. It is expected that drivers know these road rules already.
Where AT has imposed a parking restriction such as a time restriction or paid parking, this information will be shown on signs or road markings.
These signs or road markings will let you know:
- whether you can park there
- how long you can park there
- whether you need to pay to park there
- what times you can park there.
Parking costs and restrictions will vary around the city. Make sure you look for the signs, notices and road markings before you leave your car.
You can find parking information:
- on signs in the area
- on parking machines in a paid parking area
- on the AT website
- on the AT Park app.
It is illegal to park across the entrance to a driveway, even your own. Driveway entrances must be kept clear for the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and all road users.
This is a national rule, not a restriction imposed by AT. You cannot park:
- across the entrance to a driveway
- alongside part of a kerb crossing
- within 1 metre of either side of a driveway.
Vehicles can enter and park on the driveway within private property but must not be parked on the driveway entrance itself. This is to ensure other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair users, and other members of our community can safely cross over the driveway and safely manoeuvre the area around it.
This applies to all driveway entrances, regardless of their size.
If there is a special event we usually need to change the regular parking rules. Special event signs will be put up 5 to 10 days before the event.
These signs will be:
- orange and white
- tell you the date and times that temporary rules will apply
- tell you what those temporary rules will be.
During the event, these temporary parking restrictions will override the usual rules. The permanent signs will be covered up. Signs showing the temporary restrictions will be put up 12 to 24 hours before the event starts and will be removed shortly after the event has ended.
If you lawfully parked in the special event area before these temporary signs were visible (before you knew about the special event restrictions) we may need to move your car before the event begins. If your car is removed in these circumstances, you have not done anything wrong and will be able to collect your vehicle free of charge. You will not be charged for the tow fee.
If you don't own the car anymore
When a vehicle is bought or sold, both buyer and seller must notify the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) of the change.
If you got a ticket for a car you recently sold, the motor vehicle register may not have updated before it was issued. You can provide information to AT to request the ticket be 'transferred' to the new owner.
Learn more and start the process to ‘transfer’ the ticket to someone else.
Go to the NZTA website to update your details.
Getting towed
Auckland Transport can tow vehicles from the road for multiple reasons, including:
- blocking the road
- blocking a vehicle entrance
- road safety
- convenience of other road users
- public interest.
The fee for towing will be added to your ticket. A towage fee is incurred as soon as the Parking Warden calls the tow truck, even if you return and move your car before it arrives.
Relevant legislation
Auckland Transport's authority to impose controls, prohibitions and restrictions, and enforce vehicle offences can be found in the following legislation: