Driving in New Zealand

Can you drive in New Zealand?

You can drive in New Zealand if you hold a driver licence from another country or an international driving permit and:

• your overseas licence is current and valid, and
• you've not received a disqualification or suspension in New Zealand, and
• you last entered New Zealand less than 12 months ago, and
• your overseas licence is in English; if it's not, you must have an accurate translation, and
• you've not been granted a New Zealand driver licence.

If your licence or international driving permit doesn't meet these requirements, you must apply for a New Zealand driver licence to drive in New Zealand.

Here for a year or more?

If you'll be in New Zealand for more than a year, you need to gain a New Zealand driver licence. If your overseas licence is still current or expired less than 12 months ago you can apply to convert it to a New Zealand licence

How to convert your overseas driver licence to a New Zealand licence

• Apply at any driver licensing agent.
• Complete an Application for conversion of an overseas driver licence form (DL5) (either download this form, or get a copy from any driver licensing agent).
• Present your overseas driver licence (if your overseas licence is not in English you'll also need to present a translation of your overseas licence by an approved translator).
• Present evidence of your identity and your address.
• Present photocopies of all of the original evidence above.
• Present a current medical certificate, if required.
• Pass an eyesight screening check - unless you provide a current eyesight or medical certificate.
• Pay the licence fee. The amount will depend on the type of licence.

Depending on the country you come from, you may have to pass theory and practical tests.

Planning to bring your vehicle with you?

Find out the requirements you'll have to meet to bring your vehicle into New Zealand.

Tips for driving in New Zealand

New Zealand road rules and driving behaviours may be different to those in your home country. For example:

• we drive on the left side of the road
• we have many hilly, narrow or windy roads that mean your journey make take longer than you expect.
• you must carry your driver licence on you at all times. If your licence is not in English, you must carry a translation from an approved translator.