New Zealand - Convert or Exchange Foreign Driver Licence
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ProcedureEdit
- To apply for the procedure you must apply at a driver licensing agent.
- Complete an application form. You can download a copy of the form using the link provided under the 'Documents to Use' section. You can print and complete the form at home and bring it with you when you visit the driver licensing office.
- Present or submit the following documents:
- Evidence of your identity.
- Proof that your eyesight meets the required standard
- Medical certificate (if required)
- Your overseas driver licence (and a translation if it is not in English)
- Photocopies of all the original documents you have provided, as listed above (including any translation).
- Have your photo and signature taken by the licensing agent.
- Pay the application fee. You may also need to pass theory and practical tests. If you do, you will also have to pay the test fees.
Theory and practical tests required for drivers from some countries
Theory tests
Not needed if:
- your licence was issued in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom or the United States of America, and
- your licence is current (or has expired within the last 12 months), and
- you are converting a car or a motorcycle licence only.
You must pass a theory test if:
- you have a licence from a country not listed above, or
- you are converting a heavy vehicle licence from any country.
To know more about the driver licence theory tests - Link
Practical tests
Not needed if:
- your license was issued in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom or the United States of America, and
- your licence is current (or has expired within the last 12 months), and
- you have held that licence for more than two years.
- Note: You may need to provide proof of the issue date of your overseas licence.
You must pass a practical test if:
- you have a licence from a country not listed above, or
- you have a licence from a country which is listed above but you have held that licence for less than two years, or
- you have a licence from Hong Kong or South Korea and you are converting a heavy traffic licence.
To know more about the driver licence practical tests - Link
Failing the tests - theory/practical:
- If you fail the theory test, but you have been in New Zealand for less than 12 months, you can still continue to drive on your overseas licence.
- If you fail the theory test , and you have been in New Zealand for more than 12 months, you cannot drive in New Zealand. You can apply to sit the theory test again.
- If you fail the practical test, you must only drive with a supervisor. After you have taken the test again and passed, you will be able to drive unsupervised.
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Required DocumentsEdit
- Completed application form
- Evidence of your identity
- Proof that your eyesight meets the required standard
- Medical certificate (if required)
- Your overseas driver licence (and a translation if it is not in English)
- Photocopies of all the original documents you have provided, as listed above (including any translation).
Office Locations & ContactsEdit
Search for a driver licensing agent
Palmerston North Office
Level 3, 43 Ashley Street
Palmerston North
Private Bag 11777
Palmerston North 4442
New Zealand
Telephone: 64 6 953 6396
Fax: 64 6 953 6203
National Office
Victoria Arcade
50 Victoria Street
Private Bag 6995
Wellington 6141
New Zealand
Telephone: 64 4 894 5400
Fax: 64 4 894 6100
EligibilityEdit
Licence Class: Minimum Age
Car:
- Learner licence: 16
- Restricted licence: 16
- Full licence (without an approved course certificate): 18
- Full licence (with an approved course certificate: 17
Motorcycle:
- Learner licence: 16
- Restricted licence: 16
- Full licence : 18
Truck:
- Learner licence: 18
- Full licence : 18
To know more about New Zealand driver licence classes - Link
FeesEdit
ValidityEdit
- Full classes and learner heavy vehicle: 10 years
- Learner or restricted licence car or motorcycle licence: 5 years
If you are aged 64 or over, your licence may be issued for less than the standard term and will expire on your 75th birthday.
Documents to UseEdit
Sample DocumentsEdit
Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.
Processing TimeEdit
Please explain processing time taken in obtaining the document/certificate.
Related VideosEdit
Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications. Attach videos using the following tag <&video type="website">video ID|width|height<&/video&> from external websites. Please remove the "&" inside the tags during implementation. Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver, sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is displayed. e.g In the following url "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M" Video ID is "Y0US7oR_t3M".
InstructionsEdit
Please provide instructions on obtaining the certificate/documents. e.g. The state office holds birth records since january 1908.
Required InformationEdit
A list which displays the kind of information which is required to complete the procedure. e.g. 1. Date of Birth. 2. City or County of Birth.
Need for the DocumentEdit
Following is a procedure on how you can convert or exchange your foreign driver's licence for a local one.
Information which might helpEdit
Enter other informations which might help
Other uses of the Document/CertificateEdit
Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate. e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.
External LinksEdit
- NZ Transport Agency:
OthersEdit
More information which might help people.