[jaycee]

Hello, not been around here for a while, but wonder if anyone could answer a question for me? Wasn't really sure where to post this, but anyway...

I've been in NZ since February and am still using my UK driving licence (not sure if I'm going to stay). The licence still shows my previous UK address.

I've booked a holiday back in the UK over Christmas, including a hire car. Now I've found the paper part of the licence and stopped panicking over that, is the hire company going to take issue with the address?

I know you are legally obliged to notify change of address to DVLC, but since I don't have a UK address, I don't see how I can do that. What happens if, heaven forbid, I get stopped by the police in the UK? A £2000 fine??

Should I try to get a NZ licence before I go? How long does it take to get it after you pass the test?

Any advice/experiences?

Seems like I don't have the right credentials for either country - I feel like a citizen of NowhereLand at the minute!

[Familyofmonkeys]

I was wondering about this too. We rang DVLA before leaving UK, and they said that if you are not in UK, just leave license at last known address as they cannot do overseas addresses on UK Licences.

I was thinking about maybe changing licence to a relatives address if we ever go back for a visit. That way, if you get stopped it is kind of valid...well you can recieve post at a relatives house anyway.

[bobbyj]

Hi there...I've hired a car in the UK a few times over the last couple of years and haven't lived at the address on the licence for yonks. I also don't have a paper copy of the licence and its never been a problem. They just call up DVLA, confirm you don't have any endorsements and Bob's your mother's brother. The address hasn't been a problem with the hire company...not sure about the police as I've never been pulled. But I presume you would just say you are living on the other side of the world and the last time you were in the country you lived at that address.

Maybe you can tell me the requirements in NZ? I have the pink credit card photo licence. As I said, I dont have the paper part of the licence due to a buglary (and they want about £50 for a replacement or change of details which I am reluctant to pay considering I don't drive in the UK that often). Am I able to use what I have currently or do I have to get the paper portion from DVLA? Also...if I decided to go for an NZ licence, what kind of testing will I need to do (written / practical etc) and if I passed, would I have to be on a restricted licence or would it be full? I'm 27 YO by the way if that makes a difference.

Cheers!

[jaycee]

Thanks.

BobbyJ, you can drive on your UK licence in NZ for a year. I myself have never needed the paper part here, and yes, I have been pulled over by the police (for driving over an amber light!). They let me off, and were quite satisfied with my licence, though I had my passport on me too, so there was proof of how long I had been here.

As I understand it, if you have held a full UK licence for a given period of time (don't remember how long that is), you have to take a theory test and an eye test to get a full NZ licence. There are age-based restrictions on NZ licences, but I don't think they'll apply to you. There are a few threads on here about it - the How/What/When forum is probably the place to look.

Family of Monkeys - if it comes to it, I may quote your reply from DVLA ;) I have heard of people using a relative's address too.

[kanatakiwi]

Maybe you can tell me the requirements in NZ? I have the pink credit card photo licence. As I said, I dont have the paper part of the licence due to a buglary (and they want about £50 for a replacement or change of details which I am reluctant to pay considering I don't drive in the UK that often). Am I able to use what I have currently or do I have to get the paper portion from DVLA? Also...if I decided to go for an NZ licence, what kind of testing will I need to do (written / practical etc) and if I passed, would I have to be on a restricted licence or would it be full?
Cheers!

Canadians also have the small credit card style licence and we dont have a paper one. My OH never had any trouble when he converted his Cdn licence to NZ. He sat a theaory test (35 questions?) no practical test, and was all done in 1/2 hour. there is a cost but I forget what it is. You can look on the NZ website for sample driving tests to practice, and the theory test questions are taken from that.

BTW, there is legislation being considered at the moment which would do away with drivers from certain countries (incluign UK) having to take the conversion theory test at all. Reason being if they trust you to drive in NZ for 12 months on your UK licence then they must assume that you have learned the rules of driving in NZ. However I dont think it will be in effect until next year sometime, assuming it is passed.

[Familyofmonkeys]

If you have held a UK licence for over 3 years and are over certain age (21 I believe....might be wrong) they you only have to do theory test mentioned by kanatakiwi. If you are younger or have less than 3 years driving, you will usually need to pass a practical test here too.....but there are some exceptions to this rule somewhere....will have a look for a link.

We found that we did need paper part of licence. OH needed to produce his for hire car when we arrived....it might depend on what company you hire car from. Also as we didn't have UK licence we were required to provide photocopy of both card and paper parts of our licence for insurance company. Without doing this our excess would have been much larger. It will be even less once we have NZ licence...need to get finger out with that one :o

[IanW99]

The link you are looking for is New residents and visitors: Driving in New Zealand (http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/factsheets/56.html)

You only need to do the practical test if you have not held a full UK license for at least 2 years (it must be current).

Ian

[Familyofmonkeys]

The link you are looking for is New residents and visitors: Driving in New Zealand (http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/factsheets/56.html)

You only need to do the practical test if you have not held a full UK license for at least 2 years (it must be current).

Ian

Thanks...looks like my info was slightly out of date.

[incredible hulse]

Might be worth getting a NZ license before you go back to the UK for your visit. That way if you get pulled for speeding you can flash the NZ one and will have better chance of getting off with it.

We had no issues recently with an incorrectly addressed UK for the hire company (Alamo/Europcar)