---
title: What is RUCHO and how does my first RUC purchase work?
description: RUCHO activates Road User Charges against your installed device after installation; your first RUC purchase happens automatically, minimum 1,000 km.
---
[Skip to content](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/what-is-rucho-and-how-does-my-first-ruc-purchase-work#main-content)
English - Australia
Show submenu for translations
Open main navigation
Close main navigation
- English - Australia
Show submenu for translations
- Contact us
Contact us
How can we help you?
- There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.
1. [Argus Tracking Customer Knowledge Base](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base?hsLang=en-au)
2. [Compliance and RUC](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/compliance-and-ruc?hsLang=en-au)
3. [Setting up Smart Hubo](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/compliance-and-ruc?hsLang=en-au#setting-up-smart-hubo)
# What is RUCHO and how does my first RUC purchase work?
## RUCHO is the post-installation NZTA process that links your vehicle to its device; your first RUC purchase is automatic on activation, minimum 1,000 km.
RUCHO is the NZTA process that activates Road User Charges against your registered distance recorder and links your vehicle to its installed device — in practice, a hubodometer changeover that happens after installation, not before.
**Also known as / customers also ask:** RUCHO, hubodometer changeover, RUC activation, first RUC purchase, who does RUCHO, photograph old hubo reading
## What is RUCHO?
RUCHO is the NZTA step that activates Road User Charges against your vehicle's registered distance recorder, links the vehicle to the device that's just been installed, and enables compliant distance-based charging. In practice it's a hubodometer changeover.
## When does RUCHO happen?
RUCHO happens after installation, not before — it needs the details of the installed device, such as its hub ID or serial number, so it can't be done in advance.
## Who is responsible for RUCHO?
You, as the vehicle owner or operator, own RUCHO. Argus can complete it on your behalf only with your explicit consent — we'll confirm up front which of the two is happening for your installation.
## Do I need to photograph the old hubodometer reading?
Yes. Photograph the old hubodometer reading before installation — this is what lets you reclaim your existing kilometres from NZTA. The installer also photographs the final reading of the replaced hardware for the same purpose, as a second record alongside yours.
## How does my first automatic RUC purchase work?
Your first RUC purchase happens automatically on activation, as part of NZTA registration. The minimum purchase is 1,000 km, though many heavy-vehicle operators choose around 3,000 km. After the first purchase, future purchases follow the distance settings you've chosen for your account.
## What do I need to have ready for RUCHO and my first purchase?
- Availability at your installation, or pre-authorisation for the installer to proceed without you.
- Vehicle details that match NZTA's records.
- A payment method ready for your RUC purchasing account.
## How do I get started?
See [how to get ready for your Smart Hubo installation](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/how-do-i-get-ready-for-my-smart-hubo-installation?hsLang=en-au) for what to prepare beforehand, and [what happens on Smart Hubo installation day](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/what-happens-on-smart-hubo-installation-day?hsLang=en-au) for what happens on the day.
This article doesn't cover *keeping your direct debit funded for ongoing RUC purchases* — see [how to keep your direct debit funded for RUC purchasing](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/how-do-i-keep-my-direct-debit-funded-for-ruc-purchasing?hsLang=en-au). If your old hubodometer photo is missing, [contact Argus support](https://support.argustracking.com/new-request).
- [Getting started](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/getting-started?hsLang=en-au#main-content)
- [First steps](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/getting-started?hsLang=en-au#first-steps)
- [Your dashboard](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/getting-started?hsLang=en-au#your-dashboard)
- [Billing and payments](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/getting-started?hsLang=en-au#billing-and-payments)
- [Troubleshooting](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/troubleshooting?hsLang=en-au#main-content)
- [GPS signal and accuracy](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/troubleshooting?hsLang=en-au#gps-signal-and-accuracy)
- [My asset isn't tracking](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/troubleshooting?hsLang=en-au#my-asset-isnt-tracking)
- [Website, browser and app problems](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/troubleshooting?hsLang=en-au#website-browser-and-app-problems)
- [Reports](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/reports?hsLang=en-au#main-content)
- [Scheduled and emailed reports](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/reports?hsLang=en-au#scheduled-and-emailed-reports)
- [Asset reports](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/reports?hsLang=en-au#asset-reports)
- [Choosing a report](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/reports?hsLang=en-au#choosing-a-report)
- [Fuel reports](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/reports?hsLang=en-au#fuel-reports)
- [Fleet, usage and utilisation reports](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/reports?hsLang=en-au#fleet-usage-and-utilisation-reports)
- [Location, site and geofence reports](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/reports?hsLang=en-au#location-site-and-geofence-reports)
- [Driver reports](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/reports?hsLang=en-au#driver-reports)
- [FBT and cost reports](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/reports?hsLang=en-au#fbt-and-cost-reports)
- [Health and safety reports](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/reports?hsLang=en-au#health-and-safety-reports)
- [Apps and integrations](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/apps-and-integrations?hsLang=en-au#main-content)
- [API and iFrame](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/apps-and-integrations?hsLang=en-au#api-and-iframe)
- [FleetHub and pool booking](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/apps-and-integrations?hsLang=en-au#fleethub-and-pool-booking)
- [Mobile apps](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/apps-and-integrations?hsLang=en-au#mobile-apps)
- [Partner integrations](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/apps-and-integrations?hsLang=en-au#partner-integrations)
- [Fuel and check sheets](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/fuel-and-check-sheets?hsLang=en-au#main-content)
- [Fuel Watch and fuel cards](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/fuel-and-check-sheets?hsLang=en-au#fuel-watch-and-fuel-cards)
- [Using the Check Sheet app](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/fuel-and-check-sheets?hsLang=en-au#using-the-check-sheet-app)
- [Check sheet templates and setup](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/fuel-and-check-sheets?hsLang=en-au#check-sheet-templates-and-setup)
- [Compliance and RUC](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/compliance-and-ruc?hsLang=en-au#main-content)
- [Vehicle compliance and servicing](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/compliance-and-ruc?hsLang=en-au#vehicle-compliance-and-servicing)
- [Smart Renew](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/compliance-and-ruc?hsLang=en-au#smart-renew)
- [RUC licences, invoices and credits](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/compliance-and-ruc?hsLang=en-au#ruc-licences-invoices-and-credits)
- [Smart eRUC and Smart Hubo](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/compliance-and-ruc?hsLang=en-au#smart-eruc-and-smart-hubo)
- [RUC Collect](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/compliance-and-ruc?hsLang=en-au#ruc-collect)
- [Setting up Smart Hubo](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/compliance-and-ruc?hsLang=en-au#setting-up-smart-hubo)
- [Users, access and settings](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/users-access-and-settings?hsLang=en-au#main-content)
- [Login, password, MFA and SSO](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/users-access-and-settings?hsLang=en-au#login-password-mfa-and-sso)
- [Users and user levels](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/users-access-and-settings?hsLang=en-au#users-and-user-levels)
- [Policies and legal documents](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/users-access-and-settings?hsLang=en-au#policies-and-legal-documents)
- [Account settings and preferences](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/users-access-and-settings?hsLang=en-au#account-settings-and-preferences)
- [Assets and devices](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/assets-and-devices?hsLang=en-au#main-content)
- [Adding and importing assets](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/assets-and-devices?hsLang=en-au#adding-and-importing-assets)
- [How GPS tracking works](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/assets-and-devices?hsLang=en-au#how-gps-tracking-works)
- [Asset profiles and details](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/assets-and-devices?hsLang=en-au#asset-profiles-and-details)
- [Hardware, installs and decommissioning](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/assets-and-devices?hsLang=en-au#hardware-installs-and-decommissioning)
- [Groups and cost centres](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/assets-and-devices?hsLang=en-au#groups-and-cost-centres)
- [Safety hardware and ASSIST](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/assets-and-devices?hsLang=en-au#safety-hardware-and-assist)
- [LOCI asset trackers](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/assets-and-devices?hsLang=en-au#loci-asset-trackers)
- [Tracking and maps](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/tracking-and-maps?hsLang=en-au#main-content)
- [Geofences](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/tracking-and-maps?hsLang=en-au#geofences)
- [Alerts and notifications](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/tracking-and-maps?hsLang=en-au#alerts-and-notifications)
- [Live tracking and Spectate](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/tracking-and-maps?hsLang=en-au#live-tracking-and-spectate)
- [Route optimisation and jobs](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/tracking-and-maps?hsLang=en-au#route-optimisation-and-jobs)
- [Driver safety and behaviour](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/driver-safety-and-behaviour?hsLang=en-au#main-content)
- [Driver ID and FaceID](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/driver-safety-and-behaviour?hsLang=en-au#driver-id-and-faceid)
- [Speed zones and overspeed](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/driver-safety-and-behaviour?hsLang=en-au#speed-zones-and-overspeed)
- [Vision AI](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/driver-safety-and-behaviour?hsLang=en-au#vision-ai)
- [Risk points and scoring](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/driver-safety-and-behaviour?hsLang=en-au#risk-points-and-scoring)
- [Vision AI](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/vision-ai?hsLang=en-au)
[](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/?hsLang=en-au)
[mailto:email@email.com](mailto:email@email.com)
Copyright © 2026, Argus Tracking