It is not a licence in its own right, so you must also carry your new zealand driver licence with you when driving. Nov 21, 2017 if you stay as a tourist or on a temporary basis less than 12 months, you may drive with your nz license and the international driving permit idp issued by nzs automobile association. Do i need to have an international drivers license to rent a car in new zealand. This process can be easily entered online, with scanned images of photo, driver license and signature, by regular post mail, or applying in person at the miami headquarters offices. You can find out whats different about driving in new zealand on the land transport new zealand website. New caledonia new guinea new zealand nicaragua niger nigeria norway oman pakistan panama papua new guinea paraguay. A new york state drivers license may be obtained by a resident of another country. You should apply early to make sure you have a new licence before you have been in new zealand for 12 months. An international drivers licence translate your existing drivers licence for authorities and rental agencies around the world. Driving in the philippines new zealand ministry of foreign. The new zealand driver licence is valid in most countries with an international drivers permit. The international driving license, which is valid for one year, proves that you hold a valid drivers license in your country of residence.
Converting to a new zealand driver licence nz transport. Rules and condition for driving in nz on your countrys licence or an international driving permit. Drivers licence new zealand ministry of foreign affairs. Upload a copy of your photo, signature, and native drivers license. Issuing country of local drivers license and international driving permit are different regardless if it was issued in a country signatory to the geneva convention ex. Whats the difference between driving in new zealand and. An international driving permit idp is a translation of your current australian drivers licence in nine languages. After 12 months you are required to convert to a new zealand license. Overseas licences that are not easily identifiable as a drivers licence must be accompanied by an international licence or english translation. You can have a passport photo taken at an aa centre aa members receive a discount. You can legally drive in new zealand for up to 12 months if you have either a current driver s licence from your home country or an international driving permit idp. Fortunately, obtaining an international driving permit isnt very complicated. International driving licences and permits new zealand.
You can legally drive in new zealand for up to 12 months if you have either a current driver s license from your home country or an international driving permit idp. A 1 nztg admin 7th feb, 2017 you will be fine driving a car on your usa licence. You must also carry your current new zealand s driver licence with you when you travel. There is a note in the sg traffic police website traffic. Renting a car in new zealand with us drivers license. Oct 31, 2016 if you have an overseas driver licence and youve been in new zealand more than a year, you need to convert to an nz driver licence to keep driving here legally. New zealand fiji australia papua new guinea special administrative region. You can legally drive in new zealand if you have your full valid driving license from home accompanied by an international driving permit for up to 12 months. Commonly known as the international driving permit or document, this complementary high quality booklet and non government id card will help you drive and rent a car is most places worldwide. All drivers must know the road rules, what the road signs mean and how to drive safely.
New zealand s driver licence was found to have a power ranking of 71. This information is designed to help make booking your car rental in nz trouble free. The official new zealand road code about driver licences. Find a specialist overseas conversion site in your area.
Converting to a new zealand driver licence nz transport agency. Almost all countries accept a new zealand licence as valid id for driving, but there are some exceptions and you may also need an international driving permit which is only available from. What drivers licence is required for car rental in new. New zealand recognises certain overseas countrys driver licences. If your overseas licence is still current or has expired less than 12 months ago you can apply to convert it to a new zealand licence. If you stay as a tourist or on a temporary basis less than 12 months, you may drive with your nz license and the international driving permit idp issued by nzs automobile association. Online application for the international drivers license. Drivers license requirements for renting a car in the us. If any driver is on a probationary license there is an additional probationary license fee of 20. It proves that you hold a valid driver s licence in your home country. Travelling and seeing new zealand is much easier with a car, therefore you may want to drive.
Driving in new zealand this guide gives you the essential information you will need for driving in new zealand as an international student. You only need to fill out the application form and attach a copy of current valid driver license, and color photo. Get an international driving permit to go with your driver licence. Find out how to convert an overseas licence to a new zealand driver licence.
It certifies that you are the holder of a valid driver s license in your country of origin. You can legally drive in new zealand for up to 12 months if you have either a current drivers license from your home country or an international driving permit idp. Can you drive in new zealand on an overseas licence. An international driving permit idp is an internationally recognised translation of your current driver licence. While new zealanders may drive in canada on a new zealand drivers licence for up to 3 months, it is recommended that all visitors to canada who intend to drive obtain an international drivers permit. Queries and applications should be addressed directly to the new zealand transport agency external link.
Everywhere in the world, the genuine article is called an international driving permit. Where you can and cant use your new zealand driver licence. You must present your physical overseas driver licence. Online application international drivers license by idl travel. Visitors dont need a new zealand driver licence to drive in new zealand but you must meet some. Idls are a requirement for renting or driving vehicles in many countries. Applying for a licence in australia or new zealand austroads. In other words, you can drive in new zealand with an idp and your overseas driving license for a maximum of 12 months since the date you arrived in new zealand. After 12 months you are required to convert to a new zealand licence. Do you need an international drivers license to visit new zealand and rent a vehicle. Can a us citizen with a valid us drivers license rent a car in the south island and north island new zealand or do i need any special license requirements. However, its not a driver licence in its own right.
Mar 10, 2016 the new zealand driver licence is valid in most countries with an international drivers permit. International driving permits for driving overseas aa new zealand. After 12 months you are required to convert to a new zealand. It is also a united nations regulated travel document for your safety and ease of travel. Why you need an international driving permit for new zealand nz. List of countries where the international driver license. For information about which countries are recognised, or how to become a recognised country for new zealand please visit. You must also carry your current new zealands driver licence with you when you travel.
As i got older though, i enjoyed using the public transportation in new cities. International driving permit needed in new zealand. Driving overseas australian automobile association. If you have an overseas driver licence or international driving permit and youve been in new zealand more than a year, you need to convert to an nz driver licence to keep driving here legally.
An idp can be obtained in your country of residence before travelling to new zealand. You will need to have your foreign driver license and your passport while driving. The idl is a travel document that certifies that you are the holder of a valid drivers licence in your country of origin. Drivers license requirements in the usa vroomvroomvroom. Foreign licences are acceptable for drivers staying here for shorter periods of time. Can you drive overseas using a new zealand driver licence.
An international driving license idl is a legal requirement to drive in several foreign countries. Find out the requirements for international drivers here. You can legally drive in new zealand for up to 12 months if you have either a current drivers licence from your home country or an international driving permit idp. New zealand international drivers license travel idd. If your overseas licence is still current, or expired less than 12 months ago, you can apply to convert it to a new zealand licence. It is not a licence in its own right, so you must also. Whether youre in new zealand for a short time or youre here to stay, you need to make a few preparations if youre planning to drive while youre here. For security reasons, we recommend your idp and new zealand driver licence are kept separately when travelling. Life after driving it can be difficult to adjust to life after driving, but there are ways you can stay mobile or get support if you need it. Convert your overseas driver licence nz government.
What license to hold for driving a car or campervan. The international drivers license is a translation document to drive a vehicle anywhere in the world. What drivers licence is required for car rental in new zealand. Can you drive in new zealand using a foreign licence. For new zealand residents and visitors from countries like germany, this allows them to maintain their home licence and the ability to drive in new zealand. Upload a copy of your photo, signature, and native driver s license. You can legally drive in new zealand for up to 12 months if you have either a current drivers license. Customers who plan to rent a car in the united states will need to present a valid, unexpired governmentissued drivers license for the entire rental period. A driver licence is also known as a driving licence, a driving permit, or a drivers license.
If you have an overseas driver licence or international driving permit and youve been in new zealand more than a year, you need to convert to. If the driver has a drivers license from any nation except canada, they must pass a written test, complete a 5hour prelicensing course, and pass a road test to qualify for a drivers license. I will be renting a car there and need to know if the car rental company will require the international drivers permit in addition to my usa drivers license. If you have a current new zealand drivers licence you will need the following to obtain a philippine drivers licence.
To rent a car in new zealand, all drivers must present a full and valid drivers licence from the renters country of residence and the license should be held for at least 1 or 2 years according to different car rental company an international driving permit is highly recommended for international drivers. New zealand is a multicultural country with a wide variety of landscapes including mountains, lakes and rivers, beautiful beaches, forests, and a lot of rolling farm land the country has two main islands the north island and the south island. In new zealand all drivers, including visitors from other countries, must carry their licence or permit at all times when driving. Jun 20, 2011 even though ive been traveling internationally for a couple of decades, i have somehow managed to avoid driving overseas. Driver licences nz government new zealand government. Depending on the country youre from, youll have to pass an eyesight test andor a theory and practical test. Youll need to have a valid, stateissued drivers license with you if youre planning to drive in countries that require and international driving permit. The idp allows motorists to drive vehicles in foreign countries. Information provided in response to frequently asked questions about new zealand rental cars including an overview of new zealand driving license and permit requirements for international drivers driving car rentals. International driving licences and permits you can legally drive in new zealand for up to 12 months if you have either a current driver s licence from your home country or an international driving permit idp. Even though ive been traveling internationally for a couple of decades, i have somehow managed to avoid driving overseas. Auckland translations ltd, new zealand driver licence.
New zealand highly recommends an international driving document. Drivers licence new zealand ministry of foreign affairs and. If you have an overseas driver licence, but want to drive for longer than one year in new zealand, you must convert to a new zealand driver licence. If your overseas licence ceases to be valid, you may be eligible to apply for an australian licence. New zealand law requires people to have reached a certain age before they can apply for different licence types. You can use your overseas or international drivers license for up to 12 months in new zealand. The idp is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. Online application for the international drivers license of.
We accept current new zealand, international and overseas licences. The name is set by international treaty, and it is required by law in many european countries even if the car rental companies do not always ask for it. International drivers license new zealand forum tripadvisor. The new zealand driver licence system is a graduated system that has been in place with modifications, such as the lplate requirement since 1988. If your domestic drivers license is not printed in english arabic, japanese. An international drivers license card valid for the duration you apply for and a translation of your government issued drivers license presented in the form of a passport size booklet translated into 12 languages. To keep up to date with trends in petrol and diesel prices and budget for your trip, keep an eye on the aas petrol watch blog. This is because countries like germany only allow a driver to have one licence.
Tiaki promise care for new zealand tourism new zealand. Information about australia and new zealand driver licence motorhome driving licences australia and new zealand new zealand and australia international driving licences and permits you can legally drive in new zealand for up to 12 months if you have either a current drivers licence from your home country or an international driving permit idp. If youll be in new zealand for more than a year, you need to obtain a new zealand driver licence. It will also help protect you and your family in the event of a accidental vehicle damage while abroad, or the loss of legal identification such as a passport. International drivers licence at new zealand tourism guide. After 12 months, you will need to get a new zealand driver license. Can one drive in singapore on a new zealand driver license. New zealand drivers license guideline or requirments.
In all cases, you need to bring your current driver licence from your home country. New zealand licence holders currently outside new zealand and who need to replace their drivers licence loststolen can do so by completing the new zealand transport agency form dl2a external link. Information you should know if you are a new zealander planning on driving in an overseas country. Overseas driver licence no longer valid in new zealand.
Whether you have a european drivers license in the usa or a license from australia or new zealand, make sure it is a valid license. List of countries where the international driver license is currently accepted. New zealand licence holders currently outside new zealand and who need to replace their driver s licence loststolen can do so by completing the new zealand transport agency form dl2a external link. Three quarters of the population live in the north island, with most living in the top half, centred around auckland. Theory and practical tests required for drivers from some countries. You cant convert to a new zealand licence using only an international driving permit. Where you can and cant use your new zealand driver. Travel question do i need an international drivers license. After a year, youll need to apply for a new zealand drivers license. You can legally drive in new zealand for up to 12 months if you have a current drivers licence.
New zealand has signed the united nations convention of road traffic 1949, which recommends visitors have an international driving permit idp. It is not a licence in its own right, so you must also carry your new zealand drivers licence with you when driving as it is a very useful travel document. Your current new zealand drivers licence please note. You can drive in new zealand without a new zealand driver licence if. One thing to note if youre coming in from australia is that new zealand fuel prices in general tend to be slightly higher than back home. If youre here for a year or more, you need a new zealand driver licence. If the licence or permit is not in english, you must carry an accurate english translation. You can legally drive in new zealand for up to 12 months if you have a current drivers licence or an international driving permit along with the original current drivers license in english. If you have an overseas driver licence and youve been in new zealand more than a year, you need to convert to an nz driver licence to keep driving here legally. Auckland translations ltd is authorised by new zealand government to translate overseas driver licences. If you plan to be in the philippines for more than 90 days and plan to drive a vehicle, you will need a philippine drivers licence. 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. On the international driver license of nigeria,it is there that.
Can i convert to a new zealand licence using only my international driving permit. Once you have been granted a new zealand driver licence, your overseas driver licence. You can also legally drive in new zealand for up to 12 months if you have an international driving permit that is issued in english or translated into english, provided that you also carry the current driver licence that the permit is based on. If youve been issued with a new zealand driver licence, youll no longer be able to use your overseas driver licence for driving in new zealand. Online application international drivers license by idl.
An international driving permit is a translation of your national driving license. It consists of three phases for a car licence, each with varying levels of conditions. New zealands driver licence was found to have a power ranking of 71. Your idp is proof that you hold a current domestic drivers licence and it is only valid if you carry your domestic drivers licence note. Why you need an international driving permit for new zealand. Get your international drivers license same day shipping. An international driving permit idp is proof that you hold a valid drivers licence in your home country, at the date of issue of the idp. Why do you need an idl when in new zealand and other countries.
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