Motor vehicles are checked for compliance with New Zealand's legal requirements by an entry certifier such as VTNZ when they are first inspected before their approval for registration in New Zealand.
- A light motor vehicle is defined as one that has a gross vehicle mass (GVM) less than or equal to 3,500 kg. Light motor vehicles include cars, vans, utes, minibuses and motorcycles. They also include light trailers (Class TA and TB) and mopeds (Class LA and LB).
- A heavy motor vehicle is one that has a GVM greater than 3,500 kg. Heavy motor vehicles include heavy trailers.
