[Oregonkiwi]

http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/media/2006/060531.html

"New licensing rules for overseas drivers take effect tomorrow

Licensing requirements for overseas drivers will be tightened from tomorrow (1 June 2006), when the Driver Licensing Amendment Rule 2006 comes into force. Aimed at improving New Zealand’s driver licensing system, the Rule contains several changes to help ensure the validity of overseas driver licences and prevent identity fraud:

* Overseas drivers with a non-English licence must carry an accurate English translation or an International Driving Permit (IDP) while driving. This will help police determine that an overseas licence is valid, verify that the driver holds the correct licence class for the vehicle, and check for any conditions that may be attached to the licence.

* When a person is issued with a New Zealand driver licence their overseas driver licence will be invalidated for the purpose of driving in New Zealand. This change means people cannot drive on two licences – there have been cases of people accumulating demerit points on two licences and so avoiding penalties.

* Overseas birth certificates and driver licences will no longer be accepted as primary identification for the purpose of converting an overseas licence to a New Zealand licence. Applicants must now show a passport as proof of their identity, in addition to presenting their original overseas driver licence (not an International Driving Permit). These changes will make it harder to legitimise a false identity that could be used for illegal purposes."

[dawn]

Not as bad as I expected, I can cover all those, but couldn't they wait just 2 months so I didn't have extra stress?? How inconsiderate lol

[Diny]

Yeah, all those new rules are OK by me too. Note to self .......... get NZ licence sorted NOW !!!

Diny

[Jenny & Mark]

Diny. When you say get NZ licence sorted now, do you mean as soon as possible in NZ? Are there steps that can be started overseas?

Cheers, Mark.

[Oregonkiwi]

Are there steps that can be started overseas?
Not really... although I guess you could study for the theory test before you get to NZ.
All the info is here:
http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/factsheets/56.html

[Smiler]

Diny

Haven't you been here a year at least? What happens if you don't convert?

The road code is sitting on the coffee table fading in the sunshine, I pick it up and well drift off elsewhere................... Kiwi's obviously never read it.

[Diny]

Diny

Haven't you been here a year at least? What happens if you don't convert?

The road code is sitting on the coffee table fading in the sunshine, I pick it up and well drift off elsewhere................... Kiwi's obviously never read it.

Not sure what happens, don't want to find out though. I have a couple of weeks up my sleeve.

I WILL book my NZ theory test tomorrow - I WILL I WILL

Diny

[katandbob]

http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/media/2006/060531.html

"New licensing rules for overseas drivers take effect tomorrow

Licensing requirements for overseas drivers will be tightened from tomorrow (1 June 2006), when the Driver Licensing Amendment Rule 2006 comes into force. Aimed at improving New Zealand’s driver licensing system, the Rule contains several changes to help ensure the validity of overseas driver licences and prevent identity fraud:

* Overseas drivers with a non-English licence must carry an accurate English translation or an International Driving Permit (IDP) while driving. This will help police determine that an overseas licence is valid, verify that the driver holds the correct licence class for the vehicle, and check for any conditions that may be attached to the licence.

* When a person is issued with a New Zealand driver licence their overseas driver licence will be invalidated for the purpose of driving in New Zealand. This change means people cannot drive on two licences – there have been cases of people accumulating demerit points on two licences and so avoiding penalties.

* Overseas birth certificates and driver licences will no longer be accepted as primary identification for the purpose of converting an overseas licence to a New Zealand licence. Applicants must now show a passport as proof of their identity, in addition to presenting their original overseas driver licence (not an International Driving Permit). These changes will make it harder to legitimise a false identity that could be used for illegal purposes."


oooh you had me worried then!

;) Kat

[dawn]

Anyone know the rules if you have points currently, when you change to NZ from UK, do the points come too? I hope not, I'm on 9!

[smitjo]

9 points Dawn - what have you been up to? :laugh

[dawn]

Stupid speeding rule on a road that used to be 60, they changed it to 40 and then put speed cameras on it!

6 of the points are on the same day, 3 for the way out and 3 for the way back in again!

The other 3 expire in August :D

[smitjo]

You'll laugh when you find out what i do for a living then................................ :D ............................promote speed cameras in Lincolnshire :laugh :wah

[dawn]

So it's you!!!!!!!!!!! It was Lincolnshire that it happened!

[smitjo]

:o Sorry!! Well at least you won't get caught again since you have now sold your car. ;)

[Oregonkiwi]

oooh you had me worried then!

Sorry! ;) I thought that the changes would not make a difference to most of us, just posted it so the information was out there.

As for what happens after one year -

If you are using an overseas licence or an international driving permit, you must convert it to a New Zealand driver licence before one year has passed. (Apply for a conversion early, to make sure you have a new licence before the one year is up.)


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 an unlicensed driver, 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.

[dawn]

:o Sorry!! Well at least you won't get caught again since you have now sold your car. ;)

Oh that hurt :(

[Park City Partner]

Does anyone know how they invalidate your overseas license? Do they take it? I need/want to hold on to mine for various reasons....

[Oregonkiwi]

Does anyone know how they invalidate your overseas license? Do they take it? I need/want to hold on to mine for various reasons....

So far as I can tell, our US licences will only be invalid for driving in NZ. So I don't think that they'll keep it or cut it in half or anything. I don't know exactly what they will do, though.

http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/rules/q-and-a/dl-amendment-2006-1.html
Invalidate an overseas driver licence for the purpose of driving in New Zealand, when a person is issued with a New Zealand driver licence.

This change means people cannot drive on two licences – there have been cases of people accumulating demerit points on two licences so avoiding penalties.

In the past, an overseas driver who had converted to a New Zealand driver licence could drive using either an overseas licence or a New Zealand licence. Traffic police in a roadside situation had difficulty determining if a person who presented an overseas licence had also been issued with a New Zealand licence.

This change means that once a New Zealand driver licence has been issued, the overseas licence is invalid for use in New Zealand. If an overseas driver licence is presented to the police by someone to whom a New Zealand driver licence has been issued, the police will be able to penalise the person who commits the offence.

[Oregonkiwi]

Does anyone know how they invalidate your overseas license? Do they take it? I need/want to hold on to mine for various reasons....

I've been wondering more about this. I emailed NZ Land Transport asking them how they invalidate the licence, I got an automated response back saying they'll reply to me within 10 working days...so if I ever do get an answer, I'll let you all know.

Meanwhile, has anyone converted their licence under the new rules yet, and can tell us what happens?

[jonSE]

In OZ when you apply to convert to an OZ licence from a UK or Kiwi licence they punch a hole in the "old" licence.

I think I may conveniently lose my UK licence when it has a hole in it.

[Oregonkiwi]

I emailed NZ Land Transport asking them how they invalidate the licence

....and here's what they said:

Your overseas licence will become invalid for use on New Zealand (NZ) roads as soon as you obtain a NZ licence, however there is no requirement for you to surrender your overseas licence.

[Charlosparky]

I understand that if you have a full UK licence it can be changed to a NZ one by sitting a theory test, but do you have to have had the UK licence for a minimum time?

someone somewhere told me that if your UK full licence is less than 2yrs old you may need to sit a proper NZ test.

i hope this is not true as my wife is currently learning so she can pass in the UK before we go! :uhoh

[Oregonkiwi]

someone somewhere told me that if your UK full licence is less than 2yrs old you may need to sit a proper NZ test.

i hope this is not true as my wife is currently learning so she can pass in the UK before we go! :uhoh

sorry to be the bearer of bad news...

You don't 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 within the past 12 months), and
* you've held that licence for more than two years.

All the info is here:
http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/factsheets/56.html

[High]

Oh, that's such good news for me! I'm from South Africa!

But you say you don't have to sit the practical test.....so is there another one that you do have to do? :confused:

[Oregonkiwi]

Yes, you have to pass the theory (written) test.
Read this:
http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/factsheets/56.html

[Charlosparky]

i hope this is not true as my wife is currently learning so she can pass in the UK before we go! :uhoh

Just had a brainwave! If she passes in the UK she can drive in NZ on her UK licence immediately for up to 12 months, but also apply for an NZ learner licence and pass her NZ test before the 12 months is up, then stop using the UK licence and use the NZ one instead- so she wont have to catch the bus after all!!!!?

(sorry, was that obvious to everyone else cos it took me days to think up :laugh )

[Angelonthemove]

Hi relatively new to this forum

I have just had the worst half hour as I have just read this post and realised I have only just got back my licence back after 18 years due to an eye defect I got when I had a stoke at 27 years of age. Some nice women took DVLA to court and won, so they re tested all us partially sighted people and I finally got it back, with nothing mentioned on my licence and it runs from 1979 when I took my test initially. No apology either.

Now I read you have to take a visual eye test with your theory test. So my question is... it says you have to get a licence if you are in NZ for more than one year and if you leave and go back to NZ, you can use your UK licence again for 1 year. So if I travel out of the country as a resident every year does this count? If I take the test they may stop me driving. This means after loosing my licence for 18 years I would have to change my mind about coming to NZ, a licence is so important to me. If I contact them chances are they will make me sit a test again. If only I had never contacted DVLA I would have been driving for the 18 years. So I do not want to rock the boat. I had a full assesement done on the road which most driver woudl not pass to get it back. Just thrown paperwork out so have to go into to the bin bag to retrave it! If anyone has had the eye test done or knows more I would be grateful. Or knows any partially sighted people that may know more of the requirements.

Sorry for long post.

Angela
North Cyprus last 3 years


p.s. I love this forum I have spent the last hour laughing before I got to this bit, you all seem to have a great sense of humour and friendship going on.

[Snappy]

I have just converted my UK licence over to a NZ one as it's been over a year (even though I'm only here for 4 more months - but didn't want to invalidate my insurance!).

I had to sit the theory test and do the eye test. My partner also did the same but has a problem with her left eye; the officious desk clerk insisted she submit a doctor's certificate, confirming her sight was acceptable. However her colleague took pity on us (it was my birthday!), gave us a wink and said we'd both passed the test just fine. I guess it depends who's doing the test!

Angel, to answer you question more specifically - I think the 12 month rule only applies to visitors not residents.
Leaving and re-entering the country as a resident would not automatically give you another 12 months' grace for your UK licence.

If your doctor or Optometerist were able to supply written confirmation that you fufill the legal sight requirements for driving, then this would all you would need to take to the test centre for them to pass you on the eyesight test.
I'm not sure, but I think this would have to come from a NZ Optometerist.

You mentioned you had paperwork to support your test. Does this specifically mention passing a sight test?
In short, if you pass the UK sight requirements for driving, then there's absolutely no reason you shouldn't pass the NZ test either.
If you're worried, have an eye test now and discuss with your optician whether your sight is acceptable, as at least you'll know.
If it is, then you'll have no problems with the test in NZ - all you do is look into a machine and read a couple of lines of letters out. It's very low-key.

I don't know if this has helped - if there's anything more specific you want to know, just ask.

[Howie]

Regarding the eye test: There's one more aspect beyond reading letters. They also light up little lights in your periferal vision and ask you to say which side it's on. I had a lot of trouble with this, but I'm convinced that the machine was malfunctioning since I actually turned my head and stared at the light while they claimed it was on, only to see that it was dark.

Anyways, Angela, you didn't specify what sort of eye issue you have, but if they involve any loss of field of view, this may be an issue for you.

Kiwis are super helpful people. Since you're not a resident yet, you don't really exist to the official government people, so I don't think you'd have to worry about them starting some sort of file on you (especially if your last name didn't come up in conversation, or didnt' come up entirely accurately). If you were to phone them up and explain that you have this issue and that you need to know the regulations before considering your move, I'd bet they'd bend over backwards to get you all the information you need. Also, if you happen to be travelling here before your move for interviews or something like that, I'd bet you could pop into a driver's license place and explain to them your situation and that you'd like to try the eye exam while your visiting. As long as there isn't too long a queue, I can't imagine that they'd say no.

Chris

[jubjub]

the eyesight thing was on Fair go earlier in the week, if you have any doubts about your ability to pass it, get an optometrist certificate to say your eyesight is fine, they do that kind of thing alot apparently. I think its something like 5% of people fail it, but have perfectly good driving vision.

With the one year thing, I understand it to be you have 365 (consecutive) days in the country to get your licence, at 366 days you could be driving illegallly, however, if you leave the country before 365 days are up, you get another 365 days to get the licence done. Does not make any difference what your residence status is.

[NeilV]

Anything in the test to see if you are wearing contacts? ;)

I am JUST within the limit in the UK, and wear Day and Night contacts anyway [prefer perfect vision, but hated poking my eyes every day], but would rather avoid having my drivers say i MUST have glasses or contacts... don't you have to then submit eye tests every few years to retain the drivers?

And my UK one [and SA one] say nothing about visual issues :D

[urban78]

Hey Neil,

I have eye strain and will wear glasses from time to time in front of the computer or even when I'm driving, but passed the eye test with flying colors :confused: I guess it depends how bad your eyesight is. Your NZ licence will be valid 10 years and you'll have to take the eye test when you renew it. My French licence does not mention any eye issues either.

Jen

Anything in the test to see if you are wearing contacts? ;)

I am JUST within the limit in the UK, and wear Day and Night contacts anyway [prefer perfect vision, but hated poking my eyes every day], but would rather avoid having my drivers say i MUST have glasses or contacts... don't you have to then submit eye tests every few years to retain the drivers?

And my UK one [and SA one] say nothing about visual issues :D

[KerryS]

Anything in the test to see if you are wearing contacts? ;)

I am JUST within the limit in the UK, and wear Day and Night contacts anyway [prefer perfect vision, but hated poking my eyes every day], but would rather avoid having my drivers say i MUST have glasses or contacts... don't you have to then submit eye tests every few years to retain the drivers?

And my UK one [and SA one] say nothing about visual issues :D

When you complete the licence application you have to declare whether you wear contacts or glasses. If you need them to pass the eyesight test then there will be a condition on the back of the licence which says (from looking at mine) "Correcting lenses must be used at all times while driving".

You have to have a new eyetest every ten years when you renew your licence.

[*Paul]

I obtained my NZ licence last year as I've had been here almost a year. No one punched a hole in my California licence, and if they had I would have screamed bloody murder - it's not their property nor their place to damage a perfectly-good licence that I will use while in the US.

The written test (all that's needed normally) is a breeze. You can buy all (5) or so tests that are currently used and simply learn them by heart.

One catch however, if you OS licence is less than 2 years old and has no indication of an earlier issue date you will need to take the practical test too. If you can produce the previous licence you will OK.

-Paul

[Angelonthemove]

Only just seen the replies to my eyesight driving test dilema so thank you for all your ideas and advise. I am taking the 365 days and going out of the country route for now. Plus I will go for an eye test with my paperwork. I have a field vision defect caused by a stroke when I was 27, DVLA had passed a new EU law that year which meant I was disqualifed from driving. Thanks to a lady who lost hers and had been born with a defect but never knew took it to the european courts and won. So we call got recalled and I passed the new eye test and driving test.

Lets hope NZ have the same opinion if I ever go for citizenship when you have to go full NZ licence route.

[*Paul]

Lets hope NZ have the same opinion if I ever go for citizenship when you have to go full NZ licence route.

Just to be clear on that point, from this (http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/factsheets/56.html) site:

If you do have a current 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 a valid overseas licence or international driving permit, as long as you stay for no more than a year at a time.

What happens after one year?

If you are using an overseas licence or an international driving permit, you must convert to a New Zealand driver licence before one year has passed. (Apply for a conversion early, to make sure you have a new licence before the one year is up.)

...

You will have to pass a theory test and, depending on the country you have come from, you may have to pass a practical driving test as well.

Not mentioned here is that a vison test is part of the theory test.

[Smiler]

Just to be clear on that point, from this (http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/factsheets/56.html) site:

If you do have a current 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 a valid overseas licence or international driving permit, as long as you stay for no more than a year at a time.

What happens after one year?

If you are using an overseas licence or an international driving permit, you must convert to a New Zealand driver licence before one year has passed. (Apply for a conversion early, to make sure you have a new licence before the one year is up.)

...

You will have to pass a theory test and, depending on the country you have come from, you may have to pass a practical driving test as well.

Not mentioned here is that a vison test is part of the theory test.

Yes there is, it's under 'other information you need to know'

Your eyesight will be checked

If you cannot see properly, you cannot drive safely. Your eyesight will be checked:



when you apply for a new licence
each time you renew your licence
when you apply for a new licence class or endorsement.
An eyesight machine will check how well you can see at a distance and to the sides. If the check detects a problem, you will need to present an eyesight or medical certificate before your licence is issued.