Police can order your vehicle off the road if they suspect it’s not roadworthy or it’s unsafe by issuing a green or pink sticker. If a vehicle has been abandoned on the motorway then a yellow sticker indicates to other officers the vehicle has been attended to.
Pink sticker
A pink sticker is affixed to an unsafe vehicle, and the vehicle has been ordered off the road, i.e. it is not to be driven at all until rechecked and issued with a valid certificate of fitness or warrant of fitness. If clause 1A is not crossed out, the officer believes that the vehicle’s noise exceeds 95dB for a light passenger vehicle (car, MPV, minibus, ute or van) first registered in New Zealand before 1 June 2008 or manufactured before 1 January 1985, or 90dB if a vehicle was manufactured on or after 1 January 1985 and registered in NZ after 1 June 2008. Motorbikes have a 96dB limit if less than or equal to 125cc or 100dB if more than 125cc. 100dB is twice as loud as 90dB.
For a list of heavy vehicle defect categories, see this guide.
The label must not be removed by the vehicle owner. The owner must arrange for transport to a vehicle inspector who will test it and issue a new Warrant of Fitness.
1. It is believed by an enforcement officer that this vehicle is not in a safe condition to be driven on the road, and it has been ordered off the road by a notice given by the enforcement officer to the driver or owner of the vehicle.
1A. In addition, an enforcement officer believes that the vehicle does not comply with the rules regarding the level of exhaust noise emitted by the vehicle. The vehicle’s exhaust system must be tested and certified under the low volume vehicle code as not exceeding the applicable decibel standard before new evidence of vehicle inspection can be issued for the vehicle.
2. This vehicle is to be removed from the road and is not to be driven on any road until—
(a) it has been inspected by a vehicle inspector who is an employee of an authorised vehicle inspection agent who does not repair vehicles (other than to replace light bulbs and windscreen wiper blades) in the course of business; and
(b) the vehicle inspector is satisfied that the vehicle is in a safe condition for driving on the road; and
(c) the vehicle inspector has issued new evidence of vehicle inspection for the vehicle and it is displayed on the vehicle.
3. You may, however, continue to drive this vehicle if permitted by the notice referred to in paragraph 1.
4. It is an offence to remove, obscure, or render indistinguishable this notice before new evidence of vehicle inspection for the vehicle has been obtained. It is also an offence to drive this vehicle (other than in circumstances outlined in paragraph 3) before new evidence of vehicle inspection has been obtained for, and is displayed on, the vehicle. You are liable on conviction for either offence to a fine not exceeding $10,000.
5. Further information may be obtained from—
*the nearest office of the New Zealand Transport Agency; or
*the __________ Police station.
Enforcement Office No.____________
*Delete if inapplicable
Green sticker
A green sticker is affixed to a vehicle which has compliance issues, i.e. it doesn’t meet the rules and regulations to be driven on the road in New Zealand. The vehicle may be able to be driven away with some conditions, or if the fix can be effected on the side of the road. If not, the vehicle must be tested and issued a new WoF.
The sticker’s wording is:
1. The vehicle to which this notice is affixed does not comply with the provisions of the regulations or the rules made under the Land Transport Act 1998. Reasons for that belief, and any conditions relating to the operation of the vehicle, are set out in the notice issued to the owner or driver of the vehicle.
2. Under the provisions of section 115(1)(a) of the Land Transport Act 1998 you are directed that this vehicle is to be removed from the road and is not to be driven on a road until—
(a) the defects have been eliminated:
*(b) the vehicle’s exhaust system has been tested and certified under the low volume vehicle code as not exceeding the applicable decibel standard:
*(c) a vehicle inspector, who is an employee of an authorised vehicle inspection agent, who does not repair vehicles (other than to replace light bulbs and windscreen wiper blades) in the course of business, has inspected the vehicle, is satisfied that the vehicle is no longer defective, and has issued new evidence of a vehicle inspection, which is displayed on the vehicle.
*3. In accordance with section 115(2A) of the Land Transport Act 1998, this notice remains in force until the enforcement officer identified in the notice issued to the driver or owner of the vehicle has been notified in writing that the vehicle complies with the regulations and rules or with the particular requirement of the regulations or the rules.
4. It is an offence to remove, obscure, or render indistinguishable this notice if it is affixed to the vehicle. It is an offence, unless otherwise stated in the notice issued to the driver or owner of the vehicle, to use the vehicle on any road before the conditions specified in paragraph 2 have been met. You are liable on conviction for either offence to a fine not exceeding $10,000.
*Delete if inapplicable.
Yellow sticker
A yellow sticker is affixed to a vehicle that appears to be abandoned or is in a place it should be moved from quickly, e.g. a motorway hard shoulder. It notifies other police officers that the vehicle has been seen and acknowledged. Police usually give between 24-48 hours for the owner to remove it before it is towed.
Darren has written over 3000 articles about driving and vehicles, plus almost 500 vehicle reviews and numerous driving courses. Connect with him on LinkedIn by clicking the name above
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