{"id":7861,"date":"2026-10-06T21:53:30","date_gmt":"2026-10-06T21:53:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/truthdocuments.com\/convert-overseas-licence-nz\/"},"modified":"2026-10-06T21:53:30","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T21:53:30","slug":"convert-overseas-licence-nz","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/truthdocuments.com\/nz\/convert-overseas-licence-nz\/","title":{"rendered":"Convert an overseas driver licence to a New Zealand licence: what is actually required"},"content":{"rendered":"<nav class=\"crumbs\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\"><a href=\"\/nz\/\">Home<\/a> \u203a Convert an overseas licence<\/nav>\n<p><span class=\"kicker\">The lawful route<\/span><\/p>\n<h1>Convert an overseas driver licence to a New Zealand licence: what is actually required<\/h1>\n<div class=\"answer\"><strong>Short answer:<\/strong> Apply in person at a specialist overseas conversion site. A car licence from an exempt country needs no theory test and a practical test only if held under two years, at $52.10 plus a $59.90 test. A non-exempt country needs theory and practical tests, with $97.80 due on application. Fees checked 5 October 2026 from NZTA Factsheet 72.<\/div>\n<p class=\"meta\">Last reviewed: <time datetime=\"2026-10-05\">2026-10-05<\/time> \u00b7 By <a href=\"\/nz\/authors\/\">Mark Dent<\/a><\/p>\n<nav class=\"toc\" aria-label=\"On this page\"><strong>On this page<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"#s1\">What to bring<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s2\">Exempt and non-exempt countries<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s3\">The supervisor condition<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s4\">Why the extra evidence?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s5\">Tests in your language<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s6\">Timing and help<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#faq\">Common questions<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<div class=\"keyfacts\"><strong>Key facts, NZTA Factsheet 72, July 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>Your licence must not be suspended, disqualified or revoked abroad, and must be current or expired within the last 12 months.<\/li>\n<li>You must apply in person at a specialist conversion site; the AA lists 37.<\/li>\n<li>Once a New Zealand licence is issued, the overseas licence and any international driving permit stop being valid here.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"s1\">What to bring<\/h2>\n<ol class=\"steps\">\n<li><strong>The DL5 form<\/strong>, available at the agent and online.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Evidence of identity<\/strong>, such as your passport, and your physical overseas licence.<\/li>\n<li><strong>A translation<\/strong> 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.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Evidence of validity<\/strong> 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.<\/li>\n<li><strong>A medical certificate<\/strong> 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.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Colour photocopies<\/strong> of all originals, including translations.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"s2\">Exempt and non-exempt countries<\/h2>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th><\/th>\n<th>Exempt country<\/th>\n<th>Non-exempt country<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Car or motorcycle theory test<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>None<\/td>\n<td>Required<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Practical test<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Only if you have held the licence under 2 years<\/td>\n<td>Required<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>After theory test<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>NZ licence with a supervisor condition if a practical test is still needed<\/td>\n<td>NZ licence with a supervisor condition until you pass the practical test<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Car application fee<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>$52.10; plus $59.90 test fee if held under 2 years<\/td>\n<td>$52.10 plus $45.70 theory = $97.80 on application; $59.90 practical test<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Motorcycle application fee<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>$28.30; plus $59.90 test fee if held under 2 years<\/td>\n<td>$93.10, no extra test fee<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Truck application fee<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>$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<\/td>\n<td>$85.50, no extra test fee<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Fees were checked on 5 October 2026 from the July 2026 factsheet. Learner and restricted conversions have different tests and fees, listed on NZTA&rsquo;s conversion fees page.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"s3\">The supervisor condition<\/h2>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"s4\">Why the extra evidence?<\/h2>\n<p>NZTA says the extra requirements prevent people presenting fraudulent overseas licences to avoid tests. The background is in <a href=\"\/nz\/overseas-licence-conversion-fraud\/\">overseas licence conversion fraud<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"s5\">Tests in your language<\/h2>\n<p>Theory tests are available in Arabic, Chinese (simplified and traditional), Filipino, Gujarati, Hindi, Fijian, Korean, te reo M\u0101ori, 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.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"s6\">Timing and help<\/h2>\n<p>NZTA&rsquo;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 <a href=\"\/nz\/nzta-aa-impersonation-scams\/\">impersonation scams<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"faq\">Common questions<\/h2>\n<details>\n<summary>Do I have to convert my overseas licence in NZ?<\/summary>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>How much does it cost to convert an overseas licence?<\/summary>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Which countries are exempt from tests?<\/summary>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Can I convert my licence online?<\/summary>\n<p>No. Conversion is in person at a specialist overseas conversion site.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Why does my Indian, Pakistani, Afghan or Tongan licence need extra evidence?<\/summary>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>What if my licence is not in English?<\/summary>\n<p>You need an original translation from a diplomatic representative, the issuing authority or an NZTA-approved translator. An international driving permit may be acceptable.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<div class=\"related\">\n<h2>Keep reading<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"\/nz\/overseas-licence-conversion-fraud\/\">Overseas licence conversion fraud<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/nz\/how-to-get-a-drivers-licence-nz\/\">How to get a licence from scratch<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/nz\/lost-or-stolen-drivers-licence-nz\/\">Lost, stolen or expiring licences<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/nz\/driver-licence-scams\/\">All driver licence guides<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sources\">\n<h2>Sources and official links<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nzta.govt.nz\/assets\/resources\/factsheets\/72\/docs\/72-overseas-driver-licence.pdf\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">NZTA Factsheet 72: overseas driver licences (July 2026)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aa.co.nz\/drivers\/driver-licences\/overseas-licence-conversions\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">AA: overseas licence conversions<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aa.co.nz\/drivers\/driver-licences\/fact-check\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">AA: fact check on driver licensing<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.govt.nz\/browse\/transport\/driver-licences\/convert-your-overseas-driver-licence\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">govt.nz: convert your overseas driver licence<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legislation.govt.nz\/act\/public\/1998\/0110\/latest\/whole.html\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Land Transport Act 1998 (legislation.govt.nz)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author\"><strong>About this guide<\/strong><br \/>Written by <a href=\"\/nz\/authors\/\">Mark Dent<\/a> from NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) material, New Zealand legislation, Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) statements and public reporting. We do not sell, issue or arrange any licence or document, and we are not part of NZTA, the AA, VTNZ, DIA or any government agency. See our <a href=\"\/nz\/editorial-policy\/\">editorial policy<\/a> or <a href=\"\/nz\/contact\/\">report a mistake<\/a>.<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Home \u203a Convert an overseas licence The lawful route Convert an overseas driver licence to a New Zealand licence: what is actually required Short answer: Apply in person at a specialist overseas conversion site. A car licence from an exempt country needs no theory test and a practical test only if held under two years, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"truthdocuments-guide","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-7861","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_hostinger_reach_plugin_has_subscription_block":false,"_hostinger_reach_plugin_is_elementor":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/truthdocuments.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7861","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/truthdocuments.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/truthdocuments.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/truthdocuments.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/truthdocuments.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7861"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/truthdocuments.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7861\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/truthdocuments.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7861"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}