Moving to a new country is exciting! Find out what you need to do to convert your overseas license to a New Zealand license and how we can help.
Licencing Conditions
Please include the factsheet below on changes to OVC extentions during Covid-19.
Your application will be sent to NZ Transport Agency to be assessed. This may take up to three weeks to be completed.
There are two outcomes to this assessment;
As part of the overseas conversion process you may be asked to undertake a theory test on the New Zealand road code.
You do not have to sit a theory test if;
Australia | France | Japan | South Korea |
Austria | Germany | Luxembourg | Spain |
Belgium | Greece | Netherlands | Sweden |
Canada | Hong Kong | Norway | Switzerland |
Denmark | Ireland | Portugal | United Kingdom |
Finland | Italy | South Africa | United States of America |
You will have to sit a theory test if;
Along with a theory test you may have to sit a practical test.
It is best you do not book your practical test until your application has been assessed.
You will have to sit a practical test if;
That’s okay, the theory test is also available in;
If none of these languages are appropriate you can talk to our friendly staff at your local overseas licence conversion branch about your options.
That’s okay, you can apply to sit the test again.
In the mean time;
If you have to sit a practical test your licence will be issued with a supervisor condition until you pass the practical test. This is where a supervisor has to accompany you at all times while you drive. More information on supervisors can be found here.
If you are converting a motorcycle licence you will not have a supervisor condition, instead you will be given a learner licence. The conditions for having a motorcycle learner licence can be found here.
New Zealand law requires people to have reached a certain age before they can apply for different licence types.
This means that if you are under 18 years of age you will only be able to convert your licence to the equivalent New Zealand licence your age allows within New Zealand.
You will find more information on licence age restrictions on the NZ Transport Agency website.
In New Zealand we have different classes for different vehicles types.
Depending what class licence you are wanting you may have to sit different theory and practical tests. Make sure you let our staff know what type of licence you are converting so we can give you the right test.
To understand the different licence classes and vehicle types click here.
We'll have you road ready in no time.