How do I renew my New Zealand driver's licence?

If you’ve been driving in New Zealand for a while, it’s easy to forget that your driver’s licence needs to be renewed every ten years or when you turn 75.

Renewing your licence is important as you can’t legally drive when it’s expired. If you're caught driving after your licence has expired, you could be fined up to $400. If you are summonsed to court, the fine is $1000.

Renewing your licence only takes ten to fifteen minutes, but you’ll need to do it in person.

What to do before it's time to update your licence

The best time to renew your licence is the 12 months before it expires. Waka Kotahi (NZTA) send notifications to all licence holders. However, you’ll need to make sure your address is up to date in order to receive the reminder and your licence in the mail.

1. Check the back of your licence now for the issue and expiry date. Add a reminder to your personal calendar 3 or 6 months before the day it expires.

2. Update your current postal address with Waka Kotahi. This will ensure you receive your licence in the mail. You can update your address here.

What to do when you are ready to update your licence

You can renew your licence at any time before it expires. If you renew it:

• More than 12 months before it expires, your new licence will be valid from the date your application is approved.

• Within the 12 months before it expires, your new licence will be valid for 10 years from the expiration date of your current licence

• . After your licence has expired, your new licence will be valid for 10 years from the date your application is approved.

Where to renew your New Zealand driver's licence

You can update your licence with a vehicle licensing agent, usually at an AA Centre or at a VTNZ. You can find your closest licence agent on Waka Kotahi’s website here. You don’t need to book an appointment to renew your licence. You can download a driver’s licence renewal form to fill out before you arrive or fill one out in person.

Once you have applied for a renewal, you should receive your new driver's licence in the mail in about 2-3 weeks.

What to bring with you to renew your driver’s licence

While you won’t need to sit a driver’s test, there are a few things you’ll need to do before your new licence can be approved.

• Show evidence of your identity (your current driver’s licence or New Zealand passport)

• Pass an eyesight test. If you wear glasses while driving, make sure you wear them for this part.

• Have your photo taken. This will be your identification photo for the next ten years.

• In some cases, you may need to provide a medical certificate

• Pay the application renewal fee

What if my licence has been expired for more than five years?

If your licence has been expired for more than five years, you might be required to pass a theory or practical test to qualify for a current licence. If you have been driving overseas on a valid licence, you may not need to sit the test. You will be asked to show proof of your overseas licence. In many cases, your overseas licence will grant you access to a current New Zealand driver’s licence.

If you haven’t upgraded from a paper licence to a photo driver’s licence, you need to do so. Paper licences have been expired for more than five years now. This means you can’t legally drive if you have a paper licence, and you’ll need to requalify for your licence to get it back.

Renewing your New Zealand driver's licence as a senior citizen

In New Zealand, your driver’s licence is valid for ten years until you turn 75. After 75, your licence will be valid for five years. After 80, your licence will be valid for two years. You’ll also need a medical certificate when you apply for a renewal. In some cases, after 75, you’ll need to sit a driver’s licence to ensure you are still fit to drive.

• What to take with you as a senior citizen
• A completed driver's licence application form
• A medical certificate issued within the last 60 days
• Proof of identity (current driver’s licence or passport)

How to get a medical check

You will need to visit your doctor before you renew your licence and get a medical check. Tell your doctor you are renewing your driver’s licence and need a medical certificate. They will issue with one of the following criteria:

Medically fit to drive

You can drive safely in all conditions

Medically fit to drive with conditions

You can drive, but under some criteria. (For example, you may be required to wear glasses while driving or you may not be able to drive at night.)

Medically fit to drive if a specialist agrees

You will need testing from a specialist, which could be an optometrist or an occupational therapist. You’ll need to see this specialist first and gain a medical certificate from them to take to your licence renewal.

Medically fit to drive if you pass an on-road safety test

Your doctor may ask you to sit a driving test. This can be booked at an AA or VTNZ. If you pass then you are able to renew your licence. The testing agent will give you a certificate to take to renew your licence.

Not fit to drive

You are not able to drive safely and can not renew your driver’s licence.