Motorists face rego shock with ACC rise

Motorists looking to register their vehicles are in for a shock from Thursday.

Increases in ACC levies, the major part of a registration fee, mean the cost of registration will leap - as much as 61 per cent for motorcycles over 600cc.

However, the rises are not as bad as first expected.

The forecast rise in the ACC levy for motorcycles over 600cc was expected to be as much as $745.77.

Instead, it has been held at $426.92, up from the present $252.69. Combined with registration fees and petrol tax, this means a motorcyclist will pay $517.25 a year just to keep his or her bike on the road.

Motorcycle accident claims have risen from 871 in 1998 to more than 5000 in 2008, a greater increase than in any other class of vehicle.

Bob Leeper, president of the Auckland branch of the Ulysses Motorcycle Club, says his members are very distressed at the rises in registration.

The club, which allows motorcyclists aged 50 and over to get together for companionship and support, feels the boost in costs is unfair.

But the club is still interested in working with ACC to improve motorcycle safety, and would like to see more spent on injury prevention.

For some motorists, the horror has already hit home.

If your car was due for registration in early July, and you decided to pay it early, you would still have been hit with the price hike. That's because you are charged to the date the current registration expires.

Drivers of vans, utility vehicles and light trucks will feel the pinch from this week as well, as their rego fees rise by as much as 46 per cent.

In addition to this, owners of diesel vans and light trade vehicles must also pay road user charges.