Extension of overseas driver licences
Factsheet
81
From 18 December 2020
ISSN 1172-0689 (print)
ISSN 1172-0778 (online)
Valid overseas driver licence
To use your overseas driver licence to drive in New Zealand:
your licence must be current (eg not expired)
your licence must not be disqualified or revoked in the country of issue
you must not have been disqualified in the country the licence was issued in
you must not have been suspended or disqualified in New Zealand
you must not have been given a New Zealand driver licence since you last entered New Zealand (see over the page if you’ve already started an overseas conversion).
If you or your licence don’t meet these requirements, you can’t use that licence to drive in New Zealand. Go to www.nzta.govt.nz/overseas-conversion to find out more about converting an overseas driver licence.
Due to the closure of international borders as a result of
COVID-19, many people on overseas licences are unable to leave New Zealand and are fast approaching the end of their 12-month period of being able to drive on their overseas licence.
Because of this, the rules around the eligibility period for driving in New Zealand on an overseas driver licence have been temporarily changed.
The temporary extended period for driving on an overseas licence is up to a maximum of 24 months after arrival and will expire on 31 March 2022. At that time the eligibility period will then revert to 12 months.
How long you can drive in New Zealand
Usually, you can only drive in New Zealand on an overseas licence for 12 months from your last date of entry into New Zealand.
The government has now extended this for some overseas licence holders.
If you last entered New Zealand between 2 January 2019 and 17 December 2020 (inclusive of those dates), you can drive in New Zealand on your overseas driver licence for up to 24 months OR until 31 March 2022, whichever comes first.
If your last date of entry into New Zealand was outside of these dates, you can only drive in New Zealand on your overseas licence for 12 months.
Is your overseas driver licence still valid? (see above)
Did you last enter New Zealand between 2 January 2019 and
17 December 2020 (inclusive)?
YOU CAN DRIVE IN NEW ZEALAND
For up to 24 months from your last date of entry OR until 31 March 2022, whichever comes first
You entered New Zealand on or after 18 December 2020
Did you last enter New Zealand on or before 1 January 2019?
If you last entered New Zealand | then you |
on or before 1 January 2019 | can’t drive on your overseas licence as you’ve been here for more than 12 months |
from 2 January 2019 to 17 December 2020 (inclusive) | can drive on your overseas licence for:
whichever comes first. |
on or after 18 December 2020 | you can drive on your overseas driver licence for up to 12 months from your last date of entry into New Zealand. |
Driving in New Zealand on a valid overseas driver licence
Extension end date
This extension only applies until 31 March 2022. From 1 April 2022 the rules will return to normal and you’ll only be able to drive in New Zealand for 12 months from your last date of entry into New Zealand.
Is your overseas driver licence still valid? (see above)
YOU CAN DRIVE IN NEW ZEALAND
For up to 12 months from your last date of entry
YOU CAN’T DRIVE IN NEW ZEALAND
You’ll need to get a New Zealand driver licence
Converting your licence
If you’re staying in New Zealand, we recommend you convert your overseas driver licence to a New Zealand driver licence.
The government has also changed the rules around being able to drive on your overseas licence while converting to a New Zealand licence. Have a look over the page for the rules around converting your overseas driver licence.
Driving on an overseas licence while converting to a New Zealand driver licence
The eligibility period for driving in New Zealand on an overseas driver licence has been temporarily extended. This provides overseas licence holders with more time to apply to convert to a New Zealand licence.
If you’re converting an overseas driver licence, you’ll get a New Zealand driver licence after you’ve passed a theory test. If you still need to pass a practical driving test, that New Zealand driver licence will have a supervisor condition on it.
This New Zealand licence usually over-rides your overseas driver licence, and you must only drive with a supervisor next to you in the front seat until you’ve passed the practical driving test.
If you passed the theory test on or after 18 December 2020, and you last entered New Zealand between 2 January 2019 and
Who can still use their overseas licence
Usually, if you passed a theory test and still need to sit a practical test to convert your overseas licence, you won’t be able to use your overseas licence anymore and will have to have a supervisor with you when you drive.
Now, you can continue to drive on your overseas licence IF:
you passed the theory test on or after 18 December 2020 AND
you last entered New Zealand between 2 January 2019 and 17 December 2020 (inclusive).
This only applies until you sit the practical driving test to complete your overseas conversion OR your overseas licence becomes invalid (see the previous page).
You’ll have a supervisor condition showing on your New Zealand licence, but you can drive using your overseas licence instead.
Note: If you sit and fail the practical driving test, you can’t use your overseas driver licence anymore and will need to drive with a supervisor at all times.
Did you last enter New Zealand between 2 January 2019 and
17 December 2020 (inclusive)?
Did you apply for your overseas conversion and pass your theory test on or before 17 December 2020?
YOU CAN’T DRIVE ON YOUR
OVERSEAS LICENCE
You must be accompanied by a supervisor until you’ve passed the practical test
YOU CAN STILL DRIVE ON YOUR OVERSEAS LICENCE
Your New Zealand licence has a supervisor condition, but you
can use your overseas licence to drive without a supervisor until:
you sit the practical test to complete your conversion to a New Zealand licence, or
your overseas driver licence becomes invalid
YOU CAN’T DRIVE ON YOUR
OVERSEAS LICENCE
You must be accompanied by a supervisor until you’ve passed the practical test
17 December 2020 (inclusive of those dates), you can continue to drive using your overseas licence while you’re partway through the overseas conversion process.
End date
This change to the overseas conversion process only applies until 31 March 2022. From 1 April 2022 the rules will return to normal and you’ll have to drive with a supervisor.
Process to convert an overseas driver licence
(Factsheet 72) for the full process to convert an overseas licence to a New Zealand licence.
Read Overseas driver licences: converting to a New Zealand licence
Factsheet
81
From 18 December 2020
ISSN 1172-0689 (print)
ISSN 1172-0778 (online)
If you passed the theory test | and you last entered New Zealand | then you |
on or before | - | can’t drive on your |
17 December | overseas licence, you | |
2020 | must have a supervisor with you at all times | |
on or after 18 December 2020 | from 2 January 2019 to 17 December 2020 (inclusive) | can drive on your overseas licence until:
|
| ||
| ||
You don’t need a supervisor. | ||
on or after | on or after | can’t drive on your |
18 December | 18 December | overseas licence, you |
2020 | 2020 | must have a supervisor with you at all times |
This factsheet is a general guide only. It doesn’t replace legal advice, and your exact requirements will depend on current legislation.
www.nzta.govt.nz 0800 822 422
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, Private Bag 11777, Palmerston North 4442