Information for moped riders

Information for moped riders

A moped is a motor vehicle on two or three wheels, with a power output of no more than 2 kW and a maximum speed of 50 km/h (some mopeds may have a lower maximum speed).

You are licensed to ride a moped if you have either a motorcycle (Class 6) licence or a car (Class 1) licence. When riding a moped on a Class 1 or Class 6 learner licence, you must display an L plate. If you’re on a learner or restricted licence, you must not ride the moped between 10 pm and 5 am.

Safety rules for moped riders

• A moped is a motor vehicle. Therefore, you must not ride it on the footpath or a cycle path.
• You must wear an approved motorcycle safety helmet when riding a moped.
• At intersections, you must:
  • follow the rules for motor vehicles, or
  • get off your moped and walk across.
• You may ride beside another moped or cyclist, but you must not ride beside other vehicles.
• Pass other vehicles in single file.
• A moped must not be towed by any other vehicle.
• A moped may tow a trailer, but must not be fitted with a sidecar.
• You must not carry a pillion passenger on a moped, unless you have a pillion seat and footrests. If you are carrying a child, the pillion seat must protect the child’s legs from the wheels.
• You must not park a moped on the footpath.

Features your moped must have

Your moped must have:

• a rear red light that can be seen from 100 metres away
• a headlight powerful enough to see clearly anything 30 metres in front of you
• a horn
• good tyres, with a clear tread pattern
• a good exhaust system that isn't excessively noisy
• safe steering
• mudguards
• good brakes at the front and back
• one or two red rear stop lights (if first registered in New Zealand after 1 January 1991)
• a red rear reflector.