Transportation

Driving in New Zealand

For full New Zealand driver's license, you must pass a theory test and a practical test. All information on these topics is covered in the Official New Zealand Road Code. If you fail the theory test, you can re-sit it for the same fee.

After passing your theory test, you will be issued with an interim or a temporary driver's license while you wait to sit your practical test. The temporary license carries these conditions:

It becomes your main driver's license, and you can no longer drive using your original license from overseas
Until you pass your practical test, you must be accompanied by someone who has held a full New Zealand driver's license for at least two years.

Once you have received the interim New Zealand driver's license, you can book an appointment for your practical test. Upon passing your practical test, the New Zealand Transport Authority will post your full New Zealand driver's license. If you fail the practical test, you can re-sit that as well, but you will only be allowed to drive with a "supervisor" in the car with you (as per the requirements of your conditional license), until you pass the practical test.

Converting Your Existing License

Translation of Documents

If your original foreign driver's license is not in English, you will have to supply a translation from an authorised source. These sources include:

diplomatic representatives from your embassy or consulate
the authority which issued the original foreign license
a translation service officially approved by the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA), a list of which can be found at www.nzta.govt.nz/driver-licences/new-residents-and-visitors/approved-translators
an International Driving Permit, issued in accordance with the UN Convention, can be accepted as a translation as well

Using an Interpreter

If you have difficulty with English, don't worry - you can use an interpreter. The NZTA does not provide interpreters, so it is your responsibility to arrange one, but you can bring one to both the theory test and the practical test.

For the theory test, it is recommended that your interpreter be affiliated with, or be a member of:

the New Zealand Society of Translators and Interpreters (NZSTI), or
the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).

If you cannot use an interpreter from either of these organisations, you can take someone with you whom you know, if they are over the age of 18, but your theory test will be closely supervised for the entire duration. In all cases, your interpreter must present their own ID (for example, NZ passport or driver's license) upon arrival at your testing site.

Eyesight Requirements

Driving in New Zealand requires you to have at least a standard level of eyesight. You must prove your eyesight is up to the required level, either by:

passing an eyesight check made by the foreign driver license conversion specialist site which you are using to submit your documents; or
presenting a satisfactory medical certificate or vision certificate from within the last 60 days.

If you have impaired vision, vision from only one eye, or you have only one eye, you will need to present a vision certificate. If you fail an eyesight check made by your foreign driver license conversion specialist site, you must present either the medical certificate or a vision certificate.

These certificates can be obtained only from a registered optometrist or health professional (GP, registered nurse, or specialist) within New Zealand.

During the first year you are living in New Zealand, it may be possible to drive using a foreign driver's license, but you are encouraged to convert this to a New Zealand driver's license as soon as you can. Once you have been in New Zealand for 12 months, you will no longer be legally allowed to drive without a license issued in this country.

To convert a pre-existing driver's license issued overseas into a New Zealand driver's license, it must be a valid license. This means it must be current, or expired within the last 12 months, and must not be disabled or suspended in the country of origin. If you have had restrictions which apply to your driving (for example, needing to wear glasses), these will carry over and apply to your New Zealand license as well.

You can apply to convert a foreign driver's license to New Zealand at specialist sites, a list of which can be found at www.nzta.govt.nz/overseas-conversion-site. You will be asked to:

fill out a DL5 application form (Application for conversion of an overseas driver's license)
present proof of your identity (passport, New Zealand certificate of identity, New Zealand refugee travel document, etc.)
it may help to submit any of the following documents: Kiwi access card (18+) [more information is found below], Community Services Card, New Zealand student photo ID card, New Zealand employee photo ID card, IRD number, New Zealand bank statement, foreign driver's license
present your original driver's license and submit a translation if it is not in English (the translation must be from an authorised source) [more information about translation is also given below]
present a medical certificate (only if required)
submit a colour photocopy of all original documents included in your application, as well as any required translations of them

Once your paperwork is in order, the agent processing your application will check your ID, take your photo and signature (for use in your New Zealand driver's license), check your eyesight, and schedule an appointment for your theoretical and practical tests. Lastly, you will need to pay a standard fee for the value of the license along with your application.

Driving Lessons for Women

There are a few organisations in New Zealand which provide driving lessons only for women. Some of them are the AA Driving School and Turning the Curve (a Wellington-based driving school for migrant women), and a driving course specially designed for Afghan mothers hosted by the Afghan Association of New Zealand.

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Proof of Age: KIWI Access Card (18+)

By law in New Zealand, certain activities, venues, and purchases require you to be of age. The Kiwi Access Card (18+) is a form of ID available to those aged 18 and over, which can be used throughout New Zealand as proof of your age. If you do not have a valid passport or driver's license, for example, this card is an official document which can allow you to prove your identity. This card is available to foreigners, visitors and migrants.

To apply for a Kiwi Access Card (18+), there are three options:

Visit an NZ Post Shop (there are over 200 across New Zealand)
Through the Automobile Association (AA), which has more than 88 AA Centres around the country
Online, via the official website: https://kiwiaccess.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Kiwi-Access-Card-form_January_2020.pdf

The Kiwi Access Card (18+) costs $55, including GST, and is valid for 10 years.

The application will require:

Two recent colour photos in passport size, of the person who is applying.
Evidence of the address to which you want the card to be sent (a bank statement or utility bill, for example).
A photo that shows who you are, this can be:

Current 18+ or Kiwi Card (in case you are renewing the card).
New Zealand driver's license.
Refugee Travel Document (prepared by the Government of New Zealand)
Student Photo ID card from a university
Other form of photo ID

If you do not have any of the documents mentioned, you can still apply. To do this you will need someone who can attest that you are over 18 years old, and some other identification document, such as your birth certificate.

Using Public Transport - trains, buses and ferries

There are several benefits to using public transport in your region. Other than the immediate economic benefits (especially for senior citizens), public transport is also seen as a more sustainable form of transport. The most economic ways of paying for public transport differs from region to region, but you will be safe if you always carry some cash. Below is a list of regional websites can help you plan your journey through public transport.

Wellington - www.metlink.org.nz
Auckland - at.govt.nz and Auckland CBD to the Airport - www.skybus.co.nz/auckland-city-express
Christchurch - www.metroinfo.co.nz

Visit your local transport depot for more information on regional bus timetables etc. If you find that public transport is too time consuming or does not meet your mobility needs, New Zealand has an Uber service which you can download as an App from your phone. You will need a credit card to use this service.