Is car registration information personal information?

It can be.

Car registration information has a number of different components, such as a registration number and the name of the registered owner. A car’s number plate would not be personal information on its own - all you know from a number plate is the number itself, and the make and model of the car it’s attached to. However, if they have a lawful purpose, some organisations are able to request access to vehicle ownership information from the Motor Vehicle Register, such as to verify the owner of a car when it is being sold.

The Motor Vehicle Register connects a registration number to personal information like the owner's name, their address, and date of birth. NZTA/Waka Kotahi have more information on the Motor Vehicle Register.(external link)

Updated October 2025