If your licence is lost or stolen
- Cancel it. govt.nz says to call NZTA on 0800 822 422 as soon as possible. Your licence holds a lot of personal information and could be used to commit identity fraud in your name.
- Replace it. With a RealMe verified identity you may be able to apply online. Otherwise go to a driver licensing agent, fill out the form and pay the replacement fee.
- Collect it. At an agent you get the replacement right away, with the same expiry date as your old one. You can choose to renew at the same time, usually for another ten years, which costs more.
govt.nz notes you can be fined for driving without your licence, so replace it promptly. Related: driving without a licence.
If it was lost or stolen overseas
Report it to the nearest police station, and cancel it by calling +64 4 8303860 (call charges apply), or order a replacement online, which cancels the old one automatically. With a RealMe verified identity, the replacement card can be posted to your overseas address.
Renewing
The AA says photo licences are renewed every ten years, on or before the expiry date. NZTA sends a renewal notice, so keep your address current. The AA says renewals cannot be done online or by phone: go to an agent, bring evidence of identity such as your current licence or New Zealand passport, pass the eyesight screening check, pay the fee and fill out the form. It takes about 15 minutes. Learner and restricted licences can be renewed the same way.
| Age | What the AA says |
|---|---|
| Under 75 | Licence valid ten years |
| 75 | Must renew; licence valid five years; a medical certificate is needed each time, and in some cases an on-road test |
| 80 | Licence valid two years |
Why a lost licence matters more than people think
A licence carries your name, birth date, address and photo. Scammers and anyone who finds it can try to use it for identity fraud, so cancelling quickly is not only about getting your card back. If you think your details were used, Netsafe points victims to IDCARE, which provides free help and support to New Zealanders, and the DIA publishes an identity theft checklist.
Beware of replacement “services”
Pages on social media or in search results that offer to “replace” or “renew” a licence for a fee are not NZTA. Licensing is done at agents and through NZTA’s own site. See NZTA and AA impersonation scams.
What not to do
- Do not send a photo of your remaining ID to anyone offering to speed up a replacement.
- Do not pay for an application form.
- Do not keep driving without a licence in your possession while you wait.
Changing your details
govt.nz says to contact NZTA to update your name, gender or contact details such as address, phone number or email. Keeping the address current matters for a practical reason: NZTA posts the renewal reminder, about eight weeks before a photo licence expires, only if it has your current address. A licence that lapses unnoticed makes you an unlicensed driver, with the penalties set out in driving without a licence.
What to bring to an agent
For a replacement, the AA says to bring evidence of identity such as your current New Zealand passport and pay the replacement fee. For renewal bring your current licence or passport and expect an eyesight screening check. govt.nz points to NZTA’s page on acceptable evidence of identity for a driver licence application, which is the place to check if you do not hold either. The agent takes your photo and signature, which is why none of this works remotely.
Visitors who lose a licence
If you are visiting and driving on an overseas licence, the replacement comes from the country that issued it, not from NZTA. The New Zealand steps above are for New Zealand licences.
After the replacement
- Keep the new licence on you whenever you drive.
- Watch your bank and online accounts if the lost card was stolen with other ID.
- If you suspect identity misuse, use the contacts in where to report.
Common questions
How do I cancel a lost driver licence in NZ?
Call NZTA on 0800 822 422 as soon as possible, per govt.nz. Then replace it online with a RealMe verified identity, or at a driver licensing agent.
Do I get the same expiry date on a replacement licence?
Yes, according to govt.nz, unless you choose to renew at the same time, which usually costs more.
Can I renew my driver licence online in NZ?
The AA says renewals cannot be done online or by phone and must be done in person at an agent.
How often do I renew my licence?
Every ten years for most photo licences. At 75 the licence is valid five years and needs a medical certificate; at 80, two years.
What if my licence is lost while I am overseas?
Report it to the nearest police station, then cancel by calling +64 4 8303860 or order a replacement online, which cancels the old licence.