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Glossary: New Zealand licensing and document terms

Short answer: This glossary defines the terms used across the New Zealand guides in plain English: agencies such as NZTA, DIA, the AA and VTNZ, licensing terms such as exempt country, DL5 and supervisor condition, and identity and legal terms such as RealMe, apostille and false document.

Agencies and bodies

NZTA (Waka Kotahi)
The NZ Transport Agency, which issues driver licences and sets licensing rules. Helpline 0800 822 422.
DIA
The Department of Internal Affairs, which issues passports, registers births, deaths and marriages and handles citizenship.
AA
The New Zealand Automobile Association. It acts as a driver licensing agent for NZTA but does not issue licences.
VTNZ
The other contracted driver licensing agent; its testing officers carry out practical tests.
Netsafe
An independent non-profit that gives free help on online safety, including scams.
NCSC
The National Cyber Security Centre, which takes reports of cyber incidents.
IDCARE
A service that supports people whose identity may have been exposed.

Licensing terms

Learner, restricted, full
The three stages of a car licence.
Exempt country
A country whose licensing NZTA treats as similar to New Zealand’s, so a car licence can be converted without a theory test. Others are non-exempt.
DL5
The NZTA form for converting an overseas licence.
Specialist overseas conversion site
An agent site approved to process conversions, in person.
Evidence of validity
Proof that an overseas licence is real, required for some countries.
Supervisor condition
A condition on a converted licence requiring a qualified supervisor next to you until you pass the practical test.
Driver testing officer
The person who conducts a practical driving test.

Identity and legal terms

RealMe
The government verified identity login, used to apply for some services online.
Apostille
An official certificate that proves the signature, stamp or seal on a document is genuine, needed for use in some other countries.
False document
As defined in section 255 of the Crimes Act 1961: broadly, a document purporting to be made or altered by someone who did not make or alter it, or authorise it.
Forgery
Making a false document with the intent set out in section 256.
Phishing
A message designed to trick you into giving personal or financial information.

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