Driving License

A driving license is an essential requirement whether you want to drive a car or ride a motorcycle, operate a passenger bus or bulldozer. It is a safety measure for you as well as for other road users. There are requirements you have to meet to ensure you have the skills and knowledge to drive your vehicle safely.

These requirements and the steps you need to take to apply for, renew or replace your driver license are as follows:

Photo Driver License

• Your photo driver license is a credit card sized card that contains a host of information about you. It gives your full name, your date of birth, the types of vehicle you are lawfully allowed to drive and whether you hold a full, restricted or learner license for those kinds of vehicles.

• Other conditions, if any, attached to your license - such as the requirement that you wear glasses – also appear in your driver license.

• Your photo driver license is an evidence of your entitlement to drive and you are required to carry it with you every time you drive on public roads in New Zealand.

• If you have either a current driver's license from your home country or an International Driving Permit (IDP) you can legally drive in New Zealand for up to 12 months. After the period of 12 months you are required to convert to a New Zealand driver license. This applies to all occasions of your visit to New Zealand. In such cases, you will be allowed to drive only the same types of vehicles you are licensed to drive in your home country.

• If your driver license is not in English, you need to bring an English translation with you or obtain an IDP.

• A translation of your overseas driving license, not in English, or permit can be issued by:

• the New Zealand Translation Service, or

• a diplomatic representative at a high commission, embassy or consulate, or

• the authority that issued your overseas driving license (an international driving permit may be acceptable as a translation).
  

Driving License Fees

The Driving License Fees in New Zealand are as follows:

For drivers trying to convert Driving Licenses issued in another country, the fee structure is as follows:

In case of Driving Licenses issued by certain countries, one need not have to pass theory and/or practical tests. In such cases, the total fee you pay will also reduce accordingly.

One does not have to sit the theory test if:

• the License was issued in Australia, Austria, SBelgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom or the United States of America, and

• the License is more than two years old.