Converting to a New Zealand Licence

Converting your International Drivers licence to a New Zealand Drivers Licence

If you have a valid* overseas driver licence you can convert it to a New Zealand driver licence. You can also convert the classes on your overseas licence to the equivalent classes for your New Zealand licence.

A valid overseas driver licence means that your licence must not be suspended, disqualified or revoked in the country of issue and must be either current or expired within the last 12 months.

If you’re going to be staying in New Zealand, it’s a good idea to convert your overseas driver licence to a New Zealand driver licence.

You can only drive using an overseas driver licence for 12 months from your last date of entry into New Zealand. If you've been in New Zealand for more than 12 months, you won't be able to drive on your overseas driver licence anymore. You must have a New Zealand licence.

You will need to go to an approved driver licence agency such as AA or VTNZ and present all the below documents

• present evidence of your identity
• complete a DL5 form (AA or VTNZ will have these)
• prove your eyesight meets the required standard
• provide a medical certificate (if required) Will be required for heavy vehicle licences. Get this from your doctor on a DL9 form.
• present your overseas driver licence (and a translation if it is not in English)
• provide evidence of validity (if your licence is from India, Pakistan or Tonga)
• let the agent take your photo and signature
• pay the application fee
• provide high-quality, colour photocopies of all the original documents you've provided, as listed above (including any translations).

You may also need to pass theory and practical tests. If you do, you'll also have to pay the test fees at AA or VTNZ.

Once you have gained an NZ drivers licence it may have a condition on it saying must be supervised while driving.

To remove this condition, you will need to do either book in and pass a full licence test with a testing officer at VTNZ in the highest class of licence you hold or complete an approved course through an approved course provider like PassRite Driving Academy.

The approved course will include:

• 2 days in the classroom completing 2 unit standard assessments which are done as a closed book assessment (cant use resources to help answer the questions).
• Once the 2 days of theory are completed and passed then you will have driving lessons in the truck. The lessons are held on different days.
• Once you are at the set standard, we will assess your driving.
• Once you have passed the assessment we will give you course certificate and documentation to submit to NZTA via online or post at the same time you will then need to apply for an exemption using a DL4 form to remove the supervisor condition from your licence.
• Your new licence will be approved by NZTA and sent out directly from NZTA via post.

What you will need to submit after approved course checklist:

• Pay application fee via phone and write in your reference number that will be given to you on your DL4
• Completed application form DL4
• Provide certified copies of your overseas drivers licence, NZ driver licence and approved course certificate.
• PassRite can provide a scanned copy of your course paperwork, (Completed activity books, ask on completion of course for these)

Click here for more information on converting to a New Zealand Licence