Buying a car or a van in New Zealand

Can you drive with your home driver licence in New Zealand?

It is possible to drive with your overseas driver licence for 12 consecutive months

• IF your driver licence is in English
• OR if you have an international driving permit
• OR you have an official translation of your driver licence.

After 18 months in New Zealand, you will need to convert your driver licence to a New Zealand one (more on that later). If you wish to extend your WHV, you will not be allowed to drive in New Zealand unless you convert your overseas driver licence to a New Zealand Driver licence.

Getting your international driving permit

For more information, read our dedicated chapter in Departure preparation for your working holiday – Applying for an international driving permit.

Translating your driver licence

What if I didn’t get an international driving permit before I left?

If your driver licence is not in English, you can still drive in New Zealand without an international driving permit if you have an official translation of your driver licence. You can have it translated by a certified translator. The NZTA also provides a list of certified translators on its website. Although the process is not free, it is not very expensive (between NZ$25 and NZ$100) and has the advantage of being very quick!

Converting your home driver licence to a New Zealand driver licence

It is possible to convert your home driver licence to a New Zealand licence. This is mandatory if you plan to stay over 18 months in New Zealand or if your job requires you to drive a work vehicle. It can also be handy if you don’t want to take your passport with you everywhere, as a New Zealand licence is accepted as identification (for example, when buying alcohol).

To convert your driver licence, you need to provide:

• a completed DL5 form: Application for conversion of an overseas licence (get it at one of the New Zealand Transport Agency offices or on this page)
• your passport
• your home driver licence
• your international driving permit or an official translation (if your licence is not in English). You can find a list of approved translators here.

Once you have these documents, you can go to one of the agents of the New-Zealand Transport Agency:

• Automobile Association offices (AA)
• Vehicle Testing New Zealand stations (VTNZ)
• Vehicle Inspection New Zealand stations (VINZ)

The staff will check your application and the papers you present. They will take an identity photo and deliver your new driving licence. You may be asked to take a vision test.

Theory and practical tests are required for drivers from some countries. You can find the list here.

Converting your licence to a New Zealand one costs about NZ$53.

More information can be found on the NZ Transport Agency website.