Do I need an international driving licence or a translation? Can you help with that?


 
Spaceships Crew
Last Updated: 3 weeks ago

As a visitor in New Zealand, you can drive for up to 18 months from your arrival date with an overseas driving licence if you meet these criteria.

  • your overseas licence or driver permit is current and valid, and

  • you haven’t been given a disqualification or suspension in New Zealand, and

  • you arrived in New Zealand less than 18 months ago, and

  • your overseas driving licence is in English, or you have an accurate translation (like an International driving licence), and

  • you haven’t been granted a New Zealand driver licence since you last entered New Zealand.

In November 2024 the time you can drive on an overseas licence changed from 12 months to 18 months.

More info about using a driving licence from an overseas country in New Zealand.

How to get an official driving licence translation in New Zealand

You can get an online official translation of your overseas licence. It's easy to do it online yourself via Driver Licence Translation, which provides New Zealand Transport Agency Approved Driver Licence translations.


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