How much does a right-hand drive conversion cost?

Cost varies a lot depending on the vehicle and how extensively it needs to be converted. Talk to our team about the specific model you're interested in for an accurate idea of cost.

How long does a conversion take?

A normal conversion generally takes around 8 weeks. If it's a model we haven't converted before, some research and development is needed first, which can extend the timeframe. Our team can give you a realistic estimate once we know the specific car.

What's the most common vehicle you convert?

Trucks, by a huge margin. Roughly 99 out of every 100 conversions we carry out are trucks like the F-150, Ram and Silverado, simply because New Zealand law requires it for these vehicles. Muscle cars make up the rest, and that's almost always a personal choice rather than a legal one.

Do most people convert their muscle car to right-hand drive?

No, most don't. The vast majority of owners find left-hand drive easy to live with day to day and choose to keep it that way, whether the vehicle qualifies to stay left-hand drive or not. Conversion is a legal requirement for trucks and other vehicles that don't qualify for a permit, but for muscle cars it's mostly optional.

Is every left-hand drive car able to be converted?

Most are, but not all. Some vehicles are more straightforward conversion candidates than others, depending on their design. Our team can advise on any specific model.

Does a converted car need to pass compliance again?

Yes. A converted vehicle goes through entry compliance the same as any import, to confirm it meets New Zealand's safety standards after the conversion.

Is it cheaper to buy a factory right-hand drive model instead?

Sometimes. Models like the Ford Mustang and Corvette C8 are available in factory right-hand drive, which avoids conversion altogether. Whether that works out cheaper depends on the specific model and what's available.

Who actually carries out the conversion?

Our conversions are carried out here in New Zealand by Eagle Automotive, who've been specialising in right-hand drive conversions since 1993, over 30 years of experience. A lot of Ram 1500 and Silverado utes on the New Zealand market are converted in Australia instead: shipped over as left-hand drive, converted there, then brought across the Tasman.

Can I get finance on a converted vehicle?

Yes. Finance is available on eligible converted vehicles through our lending partners, including UDC Finance, Finance Now, Marac Car Loans, MTF, Oxford Finance, Avanti Finance and CFS Finance, subject to lending criteria.

RHD Conversion Explained: Process, Cost & Timeframe

For a left-hand drive American car that doesn't qualify to stay that way, a right-hand drive conversion is the path to getting it registered and on New Zealand roads. It's a bigger job than people sometimes expect, but for the right vehicle it's a well-established process.

4Guys Autobarn offers right-hand drive conversions on eligible American imports. Here's what's actually involved. If you're not sure whether your car needs converting at all, read our guide to left-hand drive rules in NZ first.

The Short Answer

A right-hand drive conversion moves the steering, pedals and dashboard to the right-hand side of the car, along with related systems like the wiring and windscreen wiper mechanism. It's a specialist job, not a simple swap, and cost and timeframe depend heavily on the specific vehicle. Once complete, the car goes through entry compliance like any other import.

Trucks make up by far the biggest share of conversions we do, roughly 99 out of every 100. That's because New Zealand law simply doesn't give most American trucks another option: unlike some muscle cars, they don't qualify to stay left-hand drive, so conversion is a legal requirement to get one on the road here, not a personal preference.

What's Involved in a Conversion

1. Assessment

We look at the specific vehicle to confirm it's a suitable conversion candidate and scope the work involved.

2. The Conversion

Steering, pedals, dashboard and related systems are moved to the right-hand side by specialist technicians.

3. Compliance and Registration

The converted vehicle goes through entry compliance to confirm it meets New Zealand's safety standards, then can be registered.

Every step is handled as part of the process, so you're not left coordinating between different specialists. Learn how import compliance works.

What Typically Gets Moved

Steering Column

The steering column and wheel are relocated to the right-hand side of the vehicle.

Pedal Box

The pedal assembly is moved and reconfigured to suit right-hand drive operation.

Dashboard

The dashboard and instrument cluster are adapted or replaced to suit the new layout.

Wiring and Wipers

Electrical systems and the windscreen wiper mechanism are adapted to work correctly in the new configuration.

Exactly what's involved depends on the vehicle. Some models are more straightforward to convert than others.

How Long Does It Take, and What Does It Cost?

A normal conversion generally takes around 8 weeks. If the specific model hasn't been converted before, some research and development work is needed first to work out the right approach, which can add to that timeframe. Cost varies significantly depending on the vehicle, its condition, and the scope of work required, so we assess each vehicle individually before giving a quote. Talk to our team about the specific model you have in mind for an accurate idea of what's involved.

Conversion vs Factory Right-Hand Drive

Convert to Right-Hand Drive

Opens up models that were never built in right-hand drive
Lets you buy the exact left-hand drive car you want
Cost and time vary by vehicle

Buy Factory Right-Hand Drive

Some models, like the Ford Mustang and Corvette C8, are available factory right-hand drive
No conversion process required
Availability depends on the specific model and market

Is Conversion Right for Your Car?

Not every left-hand drive vehicle is an equally good conversion candidate, and for some buyers, a factory right-hand drive model or a vehicle that qualifies to stay left-hand drive makes more sense. Our team can talk through the options for the specific car you're considering, including whether a Category A left-hand drive permit might be a better fit than converting.

For trucks, though, this generally isn't really a choice. The Ford F-150, Ram and Silverado don't qualify for a Category A left-hand drive permit or an SIV permit, so New Zealand law requires conversion before one of these can be registered here. That's why trucks are the vehicle we convert most, by a huge margin, roughly 99 out of every 100 conversions we carry out. Muscle cars are the opposite story: the vast majority of owners find left-hand drive easy to live with and simply keep it that way, so conversion is the exception rather than the rule for cars like the Challenger and Camaro.

Converted Here in New Zealand, by Eagle Automotive

Our right-hand drive conversions are carried out here in New Zealand by Eagle Automotive, who've been specialising in right-hand drive conversions since 1993, over 30 years of experience.

A lot of the Ram 1500s and Silverados on the New Zealand market take a different path: they're shipped over as left-hand drive, converted in Australia, then brought across the Tasman. Because our conversions are done locally, the work is engineered specifically for New Zealand roads and compliance rules rather than adapted from an Australian setup, and if anything ever needs adjusting down the track, it can be sorted quickly here rather than being sent overseas.

American Vehicle Specialists in Hamilton

With more than 35 years of experience with American vehicles, we can advise on conversions, compliance and everything in between. Visit us 7 days a week at 20 Arthur Porter Drive, Hamilton, browse our American vehicles, or call us on (07) 849 0083 to talk through your options.

Right-Hand Drive Conversion FAQs

Cost varies a lot depending on the vehicle and how extensively it needs to be converted. Talk to our team about the specific model you're interested in for an accurate idea of cost.
A normal conversion generally takes around 8 weeks. If it's a model we haven't converted before, some research and development is needed first, which can extend the timeframe. Our team can give you a realistic estimate once we know the specific car.
Yes, this is a legal requirement rather than a personal choice. Trucks like the Ford F-150, Ram and Silverado don't qualify for a Category A left-hand drive permit or an SIV permit, so New Zealand law requires a right-hand drive conversion before one can be registered here.
Trucks, by a huge margin. Roughly 99 out of every 100 conversions we carry out are trucks like the F-150, Ram and Silverado, simply because New Zealand law requires it for these vehicles. Muscle cars make up the rest, and that's almost always a personal choice rather than a legal one.
No, most don't. The vast majority of owners find left-hand drive easy to live with day to day and choose to keep it that way, whether the vehicle qualifies to stay left-hand drive or not. Conversion is a legal requirement for trucks and other vehicles that don't qualify for a permit, but for muscle cars it's mostly optional.
Most are, but not all. Some vehicles are more straightforward conversion candidates than others, depending on their design. Our team can advise on any specific model.
Yes. A converted vehicle goes through entry compliance the same as any import, to confirm it meets New Zealand's safety standards after the conversion.
Sometimes. Models like the Ford Mustang and Corvette C8 are available in factory right-hand drive, which avoids conversion altogether. Whether that works out cheaper depends on the specific model and what's available.
Our conversions are carried out here in New Zealand by Eagle Automotive, who've been specialising in right-hand drive conversions since 1993, over 30 years of experience. A lot of Ram 1500 and Silverado utes on the New Zealand market are converted in Australia instead: shipped over as left-hand drive, converted there, then brought across the Tasman.
Yes. Finance is available on eligible converted vehicles through our lending partners, including UDC Finance, Finance Now, Marac Car Loans, MTF, Oxford Finance, Avanti Finance and CFS Finance, subject to lending criteria.