- Overseas car licence: you can drive on it for up to 18 months from your last date of entry; from 1 November 2026 this drops to 12 months. Motorcycle and truck licences: 12 months.
- Your licence must not be suspended, disqualified or revoked abroad, and must be current or expired within the last 12 months.
- You must apply in person at a specialist conversion site; the AA lists 37.
- Once a New Zealand licence is issued, the overseas licence and any international driving permit stop being valid here.
What to bring
- The DL5 form, available at the agent and online.
- Evidence of identity, such as your passport, and your physical overseas licence.
- A translation if the licence is not in English: from a diplomatic representative, the authority that issued it, or a translator approved by NZTA. An international driving permit may be acceptable as a translation.
- Evidence of validity if your licence is from Afghanistan, India, Pakistan or Tonga, or is from an exempt country while your identity document is from a non-exempt one.
- A medical certificate if you are 75 or over, applying for classes 2 to 5, or have a condition affecting safe driving; it must be from a New Zealand registered health practitioner and under 60 days old.
- Colour photocopies of all originals, including translations.
The agent checks your identity, takes your photo and signature, checks your eyesight and books any tests. If you fail the eyesight check you need a certificate from a New Zealand registered optometrist or health practitioner, under 60 days old.
Exempt and non-exempt countries
NZTA treats these as exempt: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. Every other country is non-exempt. The AA notes that most countries are non-exempt.
| Exempt country | Non-exempt country | |
|---|---|---|
| Car or motorcycle theory test | None | Required |
| Practical test | Only if you have held the licence under 2 years | Required |
| After theory test | NZ licence with a supervisor condition if a practical test is still needed | NZ licence with a supervisor condition until you pass the practical test |
| Car application fee | $52.10; plus $59.90 test fee if held under 2 years | $52.10 plus $45.70 theory = $97.80 on application; $59.90 practical test |
| Motorcycle application fee | $28.30; plus $59.90 test fee if held under 2 years | $93.10, no extra test fee |
| Truck application fee | $29.50 plus $45.70 theory = $75.20; plus $59.90 practical if under 2 years, or if from Croatia, Hong Kong or South Korea | $85.50, no extra test fee |
Fees were checked on 5 October 2026 from the July 2026 factsheet. Learner and restricted conversions have different tests and fees, listed on NZTA’s conversion fees page.
The supervisor condition
If you still need a practical test, your New Zealand licence carries a supervisor condition. A supervisor must hold a current full New Zealand licence for the class without a supervisor condition themselves, and have held it, or an equivalent overseas licence, for at least two years. For motorcycles you get a learner licence instead, with conditions such as LAMS-approved bikes only, no passengers and no riding between 10pm and 5am.
Why the extra evidence?
NZTA says the extra requirements prevent people presenting fraudulent overseas licences to avoid tests. The background is in overseas licence conversion fraud. NZTA audits conversion applications and treats a fraudulent overseas licence or false information as an offence under section 44 of the Land Transport Act 1998, with a fine of up to $10,000 and possible revocation.
Tests in your language
Theory tests are available in Arabic, Chinese (simplified and traditional), Filipino, Gujarati, Hindi, Fijian, Korean, te reo Māori, Punjabi, Samoan, Thai and Tongan. A reader or an interpreter may be allowed where none suits. You never need to pay anyone to arrange this.
Timing and help
NZTA’s helpline is 0800 822 422. The AA says that if your licence has not arrived within 10 working days and you have not been told of a delay, call that number. Beware of anyone online offering to convert for a fee; see impersonation scams.
Common questions
Do I have to convert my overseas licence in NZ?
If you stay longer than the period you can drive on an overseas licence, yes. For a car licence this is 18 months from last entry, falling to 12 months from 1 November 2026, per NZTA Factsheet 72.
How much does it cost to convert an overseas licence?
For a car licence, $52.10 from an exempt country, plus a $59.90 practical test if held under two years. From a non-exempt country, $97.80 on application plus $59.90 for the practical test. Checked 5 October 2026.
Which countries are exempt from tests?
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and the US, per NZTA.
Can I convert my licence online?
No. Conversion is in person at a specialist overseas conversion site.
Why does my Indian, Pakistani, Afghan or Tongan licence need extra evidence?
NZTA says it is to prevent fraudulent licences. India and Pakistan have no centralised licensing authority, and NZTA knows of online schemes selling fraudulent Tongan licences.
What if my licence is not in English?
You need an original translation from a diplomatic representative, the issuing authority or an NZTA-approved translator. An international driving permit may be acceptable.