Road user charges for diesel campervans
Petrol in New Zealand carries road tax at the pump. Diesel does not, so diesel vehicles pay road user charges (RUC) by distance instead. On a hire, someone has to pay it.
The rates
| Vehicle | RUC rate |
|---|---|
| Two-axle vehicle up to three and a half tonnes | $76 per 1,000 km for a two-axle powered vehicle up to 3,500 kg (RUC type 1, GST inclusive)1 |
| Two-axle vehicle over three and a half tonnes, up to six | $82 per 1,000 km from 3,501 kg to 6,000 kg1 |
Buying a licence also costs an administration fee of $12.44 per licence online or in the NZTA app, $13.71 at agents1. RUC licences for light vehicles (up to 3,500 kg) do not expire1.
What it adds to a trip
For an example trip of 2,000 kmexample in a light diesel campervan: distance ÷ one thousand × the light-vehicle rate = NZ$152.00.
How hire companies handle it
Hire companies buy the RUC for their diesel vehicles; many build it into the price, others add a diesel or RUC charge per day or per kilometre on the bill. Ask which applies to your booking. The calculator has an optional RUC field: leave it empty if your quote already includes it.
Comparing a petrol and a diesel van? Compare this week’s pump prices (see fuel costs) and remember that RUC comes on top of the diesel price.
Work out your own trip: open the campervan hire calculator. It starts with sourced defaults and leaves the rest for your quote.
Sources
- NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, RUC rates and transaction fees. Checked 31 October 2026.