Two kinds of fake
Cards made to pass as proof of age are the older problem. In a case reported by the NZ Herald in 2009, hundreds of Auckland school students bought forged licences showing them as over 18, to buy alcohol and get into bars. The reported price was $100 a document, and police said the maker kept a database of the people who bought them. Nearly all the buyers were aged 16 or 17, at roughly 15 schools.
Cards sold as a genuine licence for driving are the one this site is mainly about. The seller says the card is registered with NZTA. It is not. The AA describes pages that claim to be licensing agents, offer licences through social media and WhatsApp, and ask for personal information, with the risk of identity theft high. See NZTA and AA impersonation scams.
What the 2009 case shows
- The maker was charged with forgery. He appeared in the North Shore District Court and was remanded on bail.
- Buyers were not all treated alike. Police said students whose only aim was to buy alcohol, and who cooperated, could receive formal cautions, while those with “more sinister motives” might face prosecution.
- Police asked holders to hand the cards in. A detective told the paper it is illegal to use a forged document for any purpose.
The case is old and the outcome for each buyer depended on the facts. It is included because it is documented, and because it shows the same pattern as today: a cheap card, a database of buyers, and a maker whose records identify every customer.
Why a fake fails when it matters
The AA states that licence details can easily be checked by any licensing agent or police officer. In practice that means the card is tested whenever you do something that needs it: a roadside stop, a car hire counter, a job offer that requires a licence, an application to convert or renew, or an insurance claim. A genuine record is created by NZTA when you have applied and sat the tests in person; a seller has no way of putting one there. NZTA’s own factsheet notes that it is aware of online schemes selling fraudulent Tongan driver licences, which is why it asks for extra evidence from some countries. See overseas licence conversion fraud.
What can happen if you are caught
| Area | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Criminal law (ceilings) | Using a document you know to be forged: up to 10 years’ imprisonment (Crimes Act 1961 s 257, reprint of 11 May 2014). Making a false document knowing it is false, intending it to be used as genuine: up to 3 years (s 256(2)). Read the current text before relying on these figures. |
| Information to NZTA | A fine of up to $10,000 for knowingly giving false or misleading information when the Act requires information (Land Transport Act 1998 s 44). |
| Driving | A card that is not on the NZTA record does not make you a licensed driver. Driving without an appropriate licence carries a fine of up to $1,000 (s 31). |
| Status | Where NZTA finds a licence was obtained with false documents it can revoke it and ask for it back, as it did with 440 commercial licences. |
| Identity | Photos of your passport and licence given to a seller can be reused for fraud in your name. |
These are the legal ceilings and not typical sentences. What applies to you depends on your facts, and this site cannot give legal advice. A community law centre or a lawyer can advise in confidence.
Warning signs on an offer
- The seller uses a personal WhatsApp number or a generic email address and says NZTA or the AA is a partner.
- No in-person visit is required, which contradicts how licensing works.
- You are asked to pay for an application form, which is free.
- The price rises after the first payment.
- The seller wants photos of your passport and licence before anything is delivered.
If you have already paid
Stop paying and tell your bank. The I paid a scammer guide lists the steps, and where to report gives the contacts. For the real route see how to get a driver licence.
Common questions
Is a fake driver licence illegal to have in NZ?
Using a document you know to be forged is an offence under section 257 of the Crimes Act 1961, with a ceiling of 10 years. What happens in a given case depends on the facts, and a lawyer can advise.
Can police tell if my NZ licence is fake?
Yes. The AA says any licensing agent or police officer can easily check licence details, so a card with no NZTA record fails.
What was the 2009 Auckland fake licence case?
The NZ Herald reported hundreds of students buying forged licences at $100 each to show they were over 18. The maker was charged with forgery, and police cautioned some cooperating students.
Does NZTA know about fake overseas licences?
Yes. Its July 2026 factsheet says NZTA is aware of online schemes selling fraudulent Tongan driver licences, and it requires extra evidence of validity for licences from Afghanistan, India, Pakistan and Tonga.
Where do I report a seller of fake licences?
Report the account to the platform and to Netsafe on 0508 638 723. Contact Police on 105 for non-emergencies, and 111 if someone is in danger.