More than 160 motorists in Nelson have been fined in the past two years for having registration plates obscured by bike racks and other vehicle attachments, with most unaware they were breaking the rules.
Since 1 July, 2024, Nelson City Council has issued 163 infringement notices for an obscured or indistinguishable registration plate. More than half, 83 notices, have since been cancelled following a review, while 47 have been paid, 31 remain outstanding and six have been sent to court.
The $200 infringement fee is set nationally rather than by the council.
Nelson City Council manager regulatory services, Ryno Botha, says most people who received an infringement notice did not know the rule existed, prompting the council to launch an education campaign last month.
“A clear pattern was noticed, and in recent months council has been taking an educational stance and helping people comply with the rule where it has been breached.”
The campaign was promoted through council communication channels, a shared post with the Nelson MTB Club to reach the local cycling community, and A5 information flyers placed on the windscreens of vehicles found in breach.
Ryno says that when someone receives an infringement notice, the council encourages them to become compliant and seek a review.
“If they can show compliance, for example by retrospectively fitting an official supplementary plate, they can ask council to review (cancel) the notice.”
He says that drivers who take that step almost always have their notices cancelled.
“In 2025/26, every review we have received has ended in the notice being cancelled once the person met the requirement, with one exception where the driver chose not to comply.”
Under New Zealand rules, drivers must display an official supplementary registration plate if a bike rack or any other attachment obscures their vehicle’s number plate, whether the vehicle is parked or being driven.
The rule applies to bike racks, whether loaded or unloaded, if they obscure the plate, tow bar attachments that block the plate, and any accessory or load that covers the standard plate. Trailers, caravans and other towed vehicles must display their own primary registration plate.
“The rule itself is simple. If anything attached to your vehicle covers your number plate, you must display a supplementary plate showing the same registration number,” Ryno says.
He says there are three key points drivers should remember.
“An empty bike rack still counts. A cardboard plate is not legal. And if you hire a vehicle and add a rack, the hire company must provide the supplementary plate, so ask before you drive.”
Supplementary plates can be ordered online through www.consumer.licensys.co.nz/landing
