Nzta Driver licence

This section sets out the steps involved in getting your NZTA driver licence and endorsements, and explains the conditions that may apply.

Cars

Getting your NZTA car driver licence in New Zealand involves a three-step process. As you progress through the stages you gain a new licence with fewer requirements and more responsibilities. It’s an approach that ensures all fully licensed drivers have the skills and experience to drive safely on our roads.

The process to get your car learner licence, and what you need to know about holding a learner licence.

  • How to get a learner licence
  • Conditions of a learner licence
  • Learner licence: a guide for coaches
  • Learner licence demerit points and fines

Motorcycles

Getting your motorcycle licence in New Zealand involves a three-step process. At each step, you gain a new licence with fewer requirements and more responsibilities. It’s an approach that helps you build the skills and experience to ride safely on our roads.

Renewing your licence

In most cases it takes less than 10 minutes to renew your licence.

To renew your licence, you must apply at a driver licensing agent.

You will need to:

  • fill out an application form [PDF, 170 KB]
  • present evidence of your identity
  • prove your eyesight meets the required standard
  • provide a medical certificate (if required)
  • let the agent take your photo and signature
  • pay the renewal application fee.

You’ll then receive a temporary licence which is valid for 21 days. Keep this on you whenever you’re driving until your new driver licence arrives in the mail – within two to three weeks.

Renewal fees

The licence renewal fee for your new licence will depend on the class(es) you are renewing.

All full classes and learner heavy vehicle classes will generally be issued for 10 years and cost $43.90.

Your learner or restricted licence car or motorcycle licence will only be issued for five years and cost $20.10

If you are aged 64½ or over, your licence may be issued for less than the standard term and will expire on your 75th birthday (in which case you may pay a lower fee).

See the full list of fees.

Don’t know when your driver licence expires?

Old style licence card

If you have an old style licence card, see the front of your photo driver licence for the expiry date of your licence. See the back of your licence for the expiry date of any endorsements you may hold.

New style licence card

If you have a new style photographic licence the classes and endorsements you hold are in a table on the back of the card. You will need to check the expiry date of each class and endorsement.

When can you renew your licence?

You don’t have to wait for the driver licence renewal pack. You can renew at anytime.

If you renew your licence:

  • more than 12 months before the expiry date of your current licence, your new licence will be valid for 10 years from the date we grant your application
  • within the 12 months before the expiry date of your licence, your new licence will be valid for 10 years from the expiry date of your current licence
  • after it has expired, your new licence will be valid for 10 years from the date we grant your application.

Replacing your licence

You can apply to replace your licence at a driver licensing agent, or if you have a verified RealMe identity you may be able to apply online(external link).

To apply at an agent, you’ll need to:

Your replacement licence will have the same expiry date as your previous licence. But if you prefer, you can apply to renew your licence for up to 10 years. The fee will depend on the licence.

Note: if you want to apply for a replacement licence card because your five-year learner or restricted car or motorbike licence has been given an automatic extension, you can only do this at a driver licensing agent.

Remember to replace your licence quickly

There are two good reasons to replace your lost or stolen licence as quickly as you can:

  • You need to carry your licence at all times when driving. If you’re stopped by the NZ Police and can’t produce your current driver licence, you can be fined.
  • Your licence contains a number of your personal details (including your name, date of birth, licence number, a copy of your signature and possibly your address). This is one reason why many organisations, including banks and finance companies, accept licences as identity documents. Because of this your lost or stolen licence could be used in identity fraud, such as obtaining finance in your name.

This ends all about NZTA driver licence .

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