WOF and tyre fines rise to $350 on 1 November 2026
As WOFs get less frequent, the fines for an expired WOF and unsafe tyres go up. Here's what changes and how to avoid them.
October 10, 2026
Alongside the new WOF intervals, the penalties for letting things slip go up on 1 November 2026:
| Offence | Until 31 October | From 1 November |
|---|---|---|
| WOF expired by more than two months | $200 | $350 |
| Tyres or wheels not up to standard | $150 | $350 |
| Tyres: maximum fine a court can order | up to $1,000 |
The idea is simple: fewer inspections, so more responsibility on the driver between them.
When are your WOFs due?
Type your plate to see your next WOF dates and roughly what they'll cost.
The expired WOF fine
The $350 fine is for a WOF more than two months out of date. Driving without a current WOF can also complicate an insurance claim.
You can drive a car without a current WOF to a booked WOF inspection, or to a garage to fix what it failed on.
How to avoid it: with two years between WOFs, it's easy to forget. Put the expiry date from the label in your phone's calendar with a reminder a month before.
The tyre fine
A tyre fails if the tread is under 1.5 mm, if it has a bulge, cut or exposed cord, or if it's the wrong type or size for the car. Police can ticket you for it at the roadside, WOF or no WOF.
How to avoid it: check your tread and pressures once a month. Our between-WOFs checklist covers tyres and everything else an inspector would look at.
What else changes on 1 November
- Most cars under 14 go to a WOF every two years.
- Six-monthly WOFs end for older cars and motorbikes.
- Inspections check driver-assist warning lights.
Check how often your car will need a WOF.
Source: NZTA.
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