[dawn]

Hey guys,

I recently started work at NZTA (New Zealand Transport Agency) used to be Land Transport and Transit and during the merger, they changed the rules around overseas licence conversion. I've been working on converting their agent user manuals to html, and I've had plenty of opportunity to read up on all their new regulations, so here goes.

The two big questions:

1. Do I have to surrender my home country driving licence?
Absolutely not :nice1

2. Do I have to sit any tests (if I have a full licence)?
Depends on a few things. :


The following countries are exempt and therefore do not need to sit any tests, it's a straight swap and costs $44. If you are from: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom :clap or the United States of America, and
your licence is current (or has expired less than 12 months), and
you are converting a car or a motorcycle licence.


What form do I fill in?
Form DL5 - Application for Conversion of an Overseas Licence

Can I drive in New Zealand?
Do you have a current and valid* overseas driver licence or international driving permit?

*A current and valid overseas driver licence means that your licence allows you to legally drive in your own country. If you are disqualified from driving or your licence is currently suspended, expired or revoked, then you are not allowed to drive in New Zealand.

No – I don't have a current overseas driver licence or international driving permit If you do not have a current overseas driver licence, you cannot drive.

You must apply for a New Zealand driver licence if you wish to drive here. See Factsheet 45 Learning to drive: How to get your licence for more information.

Yes – I do have a current overseas driver licence or international driving permit. If you do have a current and valid overseas driver licence or international driving permit, you can drive using that for a maximum of 12 months from the date you arrive in New Zealand. Note: if your overseas licence or permit isn't in English, you must carry an accurate translation. See Other information you need to know below for more information.

Each time you visit New Zealand, you can drive for a further 12-month period on your overseas licence or international driving permit.

What happens after one year?

If you wish to drive after one year, you must first gain a New Zealand driver licence. We recommend you apply early to make sure you have a new licence before the one year is up.

Forms to use to apply for an overseas licence conversion are available from the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) driver licensing agents.

Depending on the country you have come from, you may have to pass theory and/or a practical driving tests.

Questions and answers


What happens if I don't apply for a New Zealand driver licence?

If you do not apply for a New Zealand driver licence within one year of arriving, you'll be considered unlicensed and you must not drive. You could be charged by the Police if you are caught driving and you may not be able to get car insurance.

If you are unlicensed, are told by the Police not to drive and are then caught driving by the Police, the vehicle you are driving will be seized at the roadside and impounded for 28 days.

Do I have to sit any tests?

All drivers must know the road rules, what the road signs mean and how to drive safely. Learning the road rules is particularly important because of New Zealand's unique Give Way rule (when you are turning left, you must give way to vehicles that are coming from the opposite direction and turning right). You can find out more about this rule and others in The official New Zealand road code.

Some countries require similar driving skills and have similar licensing systems to New Zealand's. Depending on the country you have come from and the class of licence you are converting, you may not have to sit theory and/or practical tests. Other countries may have driver licensing systems that are very different from New Zealand's. People from these countries do have to sit both theory and practical tests.

Theory test

You do not have to sit the theory test if:


you have a licence from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom or the United States of America, and
your licence is current (or has expired less than 12 months), and
you are converting a car or a motorcycle licence.


You do have to sit a theory test if:


you have a licence from a country not listed above; or
you are converting a heavy vehicle licence from any country.



Practical Test

You do not have to sit the practical test if:


you have a licence from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom or the United States of America, and
your licence is current (or has expired less than 12 months), and
you have held that licence for more than two years.


You do have to sit the practical test if:


you have a licence from a country not listed above, or
you have a licence from a country which is listed above but you have held that licence for less than two years.


What happens if I pass the theory test?

When you have passed the theory test you will get a New Zealand driver licence and you can no longer use your overseas driver licence for driving in New Zealand, even if you have been here less than one year.

If your New Zealand driver licence has been issued with any conditions, you must adhere to them. For example, if you are required to pass the practical test and have not yet done so, you will have a 'supervisor condition'. This means you must be accompanied by a supervisor at all times when you drive.

Your supervisor must be someone who holds a full New Zealand driver licence and has held it for at least two years. The supervisor must sit in the front passenger seat.

Note: The supervisor condition does not apply to motorcycles, but you cannot ride a motorcycle over 250cc.

What happens if I fail the theory or practical test?
If you fail the theory test and have been in New Zealand for more than one year, you must not drive in New Zealand. You can apply to sit the test again.

If you fail the practical test, you must continue to be accompanied by a supervisor when you drive until you resit and pass the test.

What about motorcycles and heavy vehicles?

Different types of vehicle are grouped into 'classes'. There are different theory tests and practical tests for different classes:


Class 1 covers cars and other light-weight motor vehicles.
Classes 2–5 cover different types of heavy vehicle, such as trucks.
Class 6 covers motorcycles.


Most people will sit the theory and practical tests for a Class 1 licence. If you had a motorcycle licence and wish to continue riding, you will need to sit different theory and practical tests for a Class 6 licence. If you drove trucks and want to do so here, or want to have both a car and a motorcycle licence, make sure you tell the driver licensing agent which licence classes you want to sit tests for (see Factsheet 11 Driver licence classes for more information).

Can I drive to earn money?

If you want to earn a living from driving you will probably have to convert your overseas licence to a New Zealand driver licence first, and you may also need to get a driver licence endorsement. You will certainly need to do so if you want to deal with the public or carry dangerous goods. For example, before you can earn money carrying passengers, driving a tow truck, or working as a driving instructor or testing officer, you must complete courses, pass exams and be cleared by a Police check in New Zealand.

Contact any NZTA office or phone our driver licensing contact centre on 0800 822 422 to find out more.

What happens if my licence is suspended or disqualified while driving in New Zealand?

If you're using an overseas licence to drive in New Zealand and are then suspended or disqualified from driving by a New Zealand court, you can no longer use your overseas licence to drive in New Zealand. If you want to drive in New Zealand (after your disqualification or suspension has ended) you will need to apply for a New Zealand licence.

What else do I need to know?

Carry your licence when you're driving
In New Zealand, you must have your driver licence or international driving permit with you at all times when you're driving. If your overseas licence or permit is not in English, you must carry an acceptable English translation.


For more information: NZTA Factsheet 56 (http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/factsheets/56.html)

Hope it all helps.

Dawn

[tea drinker]

Thanks for all the info Dawn :nice1

[dilanium]

Great info. There is one test you have to sit regardless if you have a license and are from one of the okayed countries... an eye test. =D

[YouMeAndThree]

I've converted my standard licence and OH has sorted his HGV conversion, but this is a very informative post and will be of great use to those still to get sorted out. Thank you.

[limeo]

I'm a bit surprised that right hand side drivers don't have to take the practical test... at least we have a year to practice!!

[dilanium]

It's really not that hard. Just remember that the driver's side of the vehicle is closer to the middle of the road.

[Bozeman]

Hi Dawn, Excellent info. Thanks for taking the time to share.

Has there been any thought given to adding Hong Kong to the list of "swap" countries? I find it a bit unreasonable that I could simply pay money and get an NZ license on the basis of a US license but have to pass the exams when holding a HK license. The rules in HK are much closer to those in NZ than are the rules in the US.

[Sovenok]

Thank you Dawn,
Does the practical test include driving with manual transmission? Can I use an automatic transmission or at least a right-handed car with manual transmission?

[Sovenok]

Driving rules are free and simple :)
http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/roadcode/about-signs/main-types.html

[JandM]

Thank you Dawn,
or at least a right-handed car with manual transmission?

??? Almost all the cars on the road in NZ are right hand drive - is that what you meant? Or were you thinking of a car such as would be used to drive on the right?

[Sovenok]

??? Almost all the cars on the road in NZ are right hand drive - is that what you meant? Or were you thinking of a car such as would be used to drive on the right?

I get used to drive with changing gears by the right hand, not left

[JandM]

Ah, now I understand. The kind of car you're used to, for driving on the right of the road, where you change gears with your right hand, has the steering wheel on the left, so it's known as a left-hand-drive car.

I've no idea if you'd be allowed to sit the NZ driving test in one - let's hope Dawn will be able to say.

However, there aren't very many on the NZ roads, and (as I know from having driven right-hand-drive cars on the right in Europe) visibility is not as good and it makes things more difficult for overtaking. It's actually not too hard to get used to driving the other kind of vehicle - of the important controls, it's only the position of the gear lever and handbrake that are likely to be different. The pedals are worked the same, whichever side of the car they're on.

[Sovenok]

...

Thanks for explanation :) What I want to know now is if I will be allowed to use a car with automatic transmission during the practical test

[NikT]

Thanks for explanation :) What I want to know now is if I will be allowed to use a car with automatic transmission during the practical test

Yes you can.:)

Nick.:cheers

[Sovenok]

Yes you can.:)


:clap:nice1:)

[dawn]

Does the practical test include driving with manual transmission? Can I use an automatic transmission or at least a right-handed car with manual transmission?

You can choose which car to take a test in, but if you choose automatic, you will only be able to drive automatic cars. If you choose manual, you will be able to drive both types.

[dmunz]

What about if you have a provisional licence from Australia (i.e you've passed the practical test, but have to be on graded P plates for three years)?

[dawn]

What about if you have a provisional licence from Australia (i.e you've passed the practical test, but have to be on graded P plates for three years)?

It's equivalent to an NZ restricted. You would have to do the full licence practical test to gain your full NZ Licence.

[Jo Jo]

You can choose which car to take a test in, but if you choose automatic, you will only be able to drive automatic cars. If you choose manual, you will be able to drive both types.

Is that right? I thought that only applied to the restricted test, not the full test.

[dawn]

Is that right? I thought that only applied to the restricted test, not the full test.

If you take your restricted in an automatic, you can only do your full in an automatic. You can only drive automatics.

If you do your restricted in a manual, you can do your full in either. If you choose automatic, you will only be able to drive automatics on a full licence, but manuals on a restricted.

[JandM]

You can choose which car to take a test in, but if you choose automatic, you will only be able to drive automatic cars. If you choose manual, you will be able to drive both types.That's the same as in the UK.

[Jo Jo]

If you do your restricted in a manual, you can do your full in either. If you choose automatic, you will only be able to drive automatics on a full licence, but manuals on a restricted.

Thanks for replying, Dawn.

I passed my restricted license in a manual, and am trying to decide whether or not to take my full test in a manual. What would it mean, practically, if I were to take my full test in an automatic - would it mean I couldn't carry passengers if I was driving a manual car or that I couldn't drive a manual between 10 pm and 5 am?

(Sorry for all the questions - I've been trying to find this info on Land Transport for ages, but it isn't on there.)

[dawn]

Thanks for replying, Dawn.

I passed my restricted license in a manual, and am trying to decide whether or not to take my full test in a manual. What would it mean, practically, if I were to take my full test in an automatic - would it mean I couldn't carry passengers if I was driving a manual car or that I couldn't drive a manual between 10 pm and 5 am?

(Sorry for all the questions - I've been trying to find this info on Land Transport for ages, but it isn't on there.)

It's ok, I don't mind answering. That is exactly what it would mean, although, if the person in the passenger seat has held a full manual licence for more than 2 years, you can drive between 10pm and 5am and carry passengers.

The stipulation is that you would revert to your restricted for a manual car.

I would recommend everyone take their tests in a manual car, you can drive either then.

[Falcon_XR6]

I just got my NZ licence today (well, the temp one until the plastic one arrives) after being here for 364 days, got off the boat from the UK on Feb 21st 2008, no problem at all with the licence. Taxed (registration) the car while I was in there as well and you can tax it for 12 months, 6 months, 3 months and I am not sure if you can go below 3 months or not... but 3 is useful if you are selling your car in a month or 2 and it needs taxing (reg-ing or whatever it is called over here).


There is one test you have to sit regardless if you have a license and are from one of the okayed countries... an eye test.
If you do wear glasses for driving you can get a declaration from your optician that can be used instead of having an eye test when you apply for your licence, I got one. You do of course need to have an eye test at your opticians to get the form so if you are getting glasses and applying for your licence then kill 2 birds with 1 stone.


I get used to drive with changing gears by the right hand, not left
You will soon get used to it, amongst other things I used to drive an '84 V8 Chevy C10 pickup with a 4 speed manual box (and a clutch that you needed 2 feet to press down:laugh), left hand drive and driven on the left hand side of the road in the UK...
Don't worry, you will soon get used to it.

Thanks again to Dawn for the huge amount of info and the time taken to type it all in.

Cheers

G

[Syed]

It is been useful...
By the way, my driving license is Pakistan, it is in English and we also drive on left side of the road. So you mean
1. I can drive for a year,
2. I have to sit in both theoretical and Practical Tests within a year.
Please confirm

Thanks

[kanatakiwi]

If you do wear glasses for driving you can get a declaration from your optician that can be used instead of having an eye test when you apply for your licence, I got one. You do of course need to have an eye test at your opticians to get the form so if you are getting glasses and applying for your licence then kill 2 birds with 1 stone.

G

good info, as this is the thing that has been holding me back. I always have trouble with my eye tests as I have stigmatism and although I can see fine for distance etc, when I look at the letters on the test sheet, they wander all over the place! I will have to get to it one of these days soon, but I have never been in the country for more than a year without going overseas, so the one year countdown starts all over again :)

[Flutterby]

So how does it work if you arrive with a UK provisional?
As i understand it, i could "swap" (but not surrender?) my UK provisional for a NZ restricted (or was it a learners?) and then apply for exemption from the 6month wait before sitting the practical?
is that right? and is the cost different to the straight swap you do with a Full license?

[Big Puku]

If you take your restricted in an automatic, you can only do your full in an automatic. You can only drive automatics.

If you do your restricted in a manual, you can do your full in either. If you choose automatic, you will only be able to drive automatics on a full licence, but manuals on a restricted.

You sure? On your full you can drive manual or automatic - regardless of whether it was an auto/manual car you took the test in.

It's only the restricted licence that has this restriction?

[dawn]

You sure? On your full you can drive manual or automatic - regardless of whether it was an auto/manual car you took the test in.

It's only the restricted licence that has this restriction?

That's what it said in the NZTA Driver Licence Agency Manual

[dilanium]

How do you know by looking at your license whether you're allowed to drive a manual?? I never took the test and they don't differentiate between them in the states.

[dawn]

How do you know by looking at your license whether you're allowed to drive a manual?? I never took the test and they don't differentiate between them in the states.

I'll check on Monday, but I'm almost sure its listed as I class.

[dilanium]

hrm... mine just says class 1. I hope it's not an issue as all we have is a manual.

[JandM]

That's what it said in the NZTA Driver Licence Agency ManualI'm puzzled. That sounds different from what you said in Post #20.

[dawn]

I'm puzzled. That sounds different from what you said in Post #20.

Post #20 is correct. My reply about that's what it said in the manual, was not referring to the text I quoted, it was referring to the text I wrote in post #20.

[dawn]

hrm... mine just says class 1. I hope it's not an issue as all we have is a manual.

I is a sub class of class 1, will check on Monday for you.

[Big Puku]

Must have changed very recently then? The LTSA website doesn't mention it and my son passed his full recently in an auto and there's no restriction on his licence saying no manuals? (i.e. not the same as in the UK)

[Jo Jo]

I'm still not sure that the information given in this thread about automatics is correct, so please don't rely on it until it has been confirmed.

[urban78]

My partner (who is still to get her license :exit) called LTSA today and was told that the restriction only applies if you sit your Restricted License with an automatic. But once you pass your full license that restriction is removed.

Hope this helps,

Jen :)

[Jo Jo]

I did look into this, and contacted LTSA's driving licensing contact centre, who said that once you pass your full test you can drive a manual car or an automatic car, regardless of the type of car you took your test in.

This is the response I got from them:



Good morning,

Thank you for your email dated 20 February 2009

Regardless of whether a full licence practical test is sat in a manual or automatic vehicle, there will be no automatic condition imposed on the licence holder once the test is passed.

I hope this information is helpful

Regards

Senior Customer Service Representative
NZ Transport Agency

I also checked the following:


If you take your restricted in an automatic, you can only do your full in an automatic. You can only drive automatics.

If you do your restricted in a manual, you can do your full in either. If you choose automatic, you will only be able to drive automatics on a full licence, but manuals on a restricted.

Again, I don't think this is correct.

If you pass your restricted in an automatic, your license will have an automatic vehicles condition attached to it, which means, according to LTNZ's website that you will only be allowed to drive automatic vehicles unless you are accompanied by a supervisor. I can't find any reference anywhere (on LTSA's website, in the road code, on the AA website, or in the legislation) to there being any restrictions on the type of car you can take your full test in if you passed your restricted test in an automatic.

[peebles16]

I did look into this, and contacted LTSA's driving licensing contact centre, who said that once you pass your full test you can drive a manual car or an automatic car, regardless of the type of car you took your test in.

This is the response I got from them:



I also checked the following:



Again, I don't think this is correct.

If you pass your restricted in an automatic, your license will have an automatic vehicles condition attached to it, which means, according to LTNZ's website that you will only be allowed to drive automatic vehicles unless you are accompanied by a supervisor. I can't find any reference anywhere (on LTSA's website, in the road code, on the AA website, or in the legislation) to there being any restrictions on the type of car you can take your full test in if you passed your restricted test in an automatic.

From my research this is totally correct - basically if you do your test in an automatic you'll get restrictions applied to your type of license :yes I've got a restriction on my restricted license cos I'm a specky and can only drive an automatic.... There is nothing to stop you doing the restricted license test in an automatic and then going on to do full test in a manual car but, what they heck, both our cars are automatics as are the work cars so I'm going to stick with what I know :o

Karenx

[Waters9944]

By the way...for all the Americans in NZ now:

How do you find the change to driving on the left?

And FYI to non-Americans: most Americans these days drive automatics, the cars come standard that way (work vehicles and sports cars are usually manual, though).

I remember a long time ago people paying extra to get an automatic transmission in your new car. These days, it's the opposite!

[dilanium]

It's really not hard at all driving on the left. Just remember that the drivers side of the car is towards the middle of the road.

The only time I really had any problems were when I was backing out onto the road, but I only do that out of my driveway, and my road isn't that busy.

The hard part was learning to drive a manual while driving on the wrong side of the road. :)

[trillian25]

I didn't drive while in NZ, but I did almost get run over when I first arrived, I am so used to looking right then left before crossing. The same thing happened when I got home, did a quick left glance then right as I was stepping into the road, almost got squished again :)

[JandM]

I didn't drive while in NZ, but I did almost get run over when I first arrived, I am so used to looking right then left before crossing. The same thing happened when I got home, did a quick left glance then right as I was stepping into the road, almost got squished again :)I don't quite understand this. The kerb drill for pedestrians in countries where they/we drive on the left is 'Look Right, Look Left, Look Right again, and keep looking and listening while you cross' (which used to be dinned into UK school children).

[Chiba]

...which used to be dinned into UK school children

By the squirrel with the unfortunate hedgehog friend? ;)

[JandM]

And the Green Giant (before he sold corn on the cob), and before that even, by a woman with an operatic soprano voice!

[cherieb]

My sister met the green cross code man - he also played Darth Vader!

[clairelouise]

My sister met the green cross code man - he also played Darth Vader!

Oh wow, now thats a claim to fame!! :D :nice1

[ljrobin]

I don't quite understand this. The kerb drill for pedestrians in countries where they/we drive on the left is 'Look Right, Look Left, Look Right again, and keep looking and listening while you cross' (which used to be dinned into UK school children).[/QUOTE]

From childhood (growing up in the US) I remember looking left, right, then left again, and stop, look and listen before you cross.

[trillian25]

I don't quite understand this. The kerb drill for pedestrians in countries where they/we drive on the left is 'Look Right, Look Left, Look Right again, and keep looking and listening while you cross' (which used to be dinned into UK school children).

I may have got it turned around trying to visualize it from my living room at 2am :) I check more often on a busier street, but the rural streets by my house just a quick glance is all that is needed, not to mention I was in a 4-way stop crosswalk at the time... some people just don't pay attention no matter what country you live in.

[Philip10]

By the squirrel with the unfortunate hedgehog friend? ;)

What ever happened to Tuffty ?

[YouMeAndThree]

What ever happened to Tuffty ?

I've found out :eek:: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DPEKVV7R9k (Please note this does come with an adult warning!)

[JandM]

I may have got it turned around trying to visualize it from my living room at 2am :) I check more often on a busier street, but the rural streets by my house just a quick glance is all that is needed, not to mention I was in a 4-way stop crosswalk at the time... some people just don't pay attention no matter what country you live in.
Well, it would be a bit of a shame to go to all the trouble and expense of emigrating, only to get squashed on the road. Take your time, there!

[Philip10]

I've found out :eek:: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DPEKVV7R9k (Please note this does come with an adult warning!)

:laugh:laugh:laugh

[clairelouise]

I've found out :eek:: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DPEKVV7R9k (Please note this does come with an adult warning!)

:laugh oh my god!! :laugh

[NikT]

I've found out :eek:: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DPEKVV7R9k (Please note this does come with an adult warning!)

:laugh That's mint! :laugh

Nick.:cheers