Where do I get an international driving permit?

From the authorised motoring organisation in your own country, before you travel. They cannot be issued once you are in New Zealand.

Is a permit valid on its own?

No. It is a translation and only works alongside your original licence.

What happens after 12 months in New Zealand?

You need to convert to a New Zealand licence to keep driving legally.

Getting around

Do you need an international driving permit in New Zealand?

The short answer depends on the language of your licence — plus how long you can drive on a home licence here.

4 min read · updated 2026-09

This is one of the most common questions visitors ask, and the answer is simpler than most people expect.

If your licence is in English

You do not need an international driving permit. New Zealand licences are issued in English, so a valid English-language licence from your home country is accepted as it is. Carry the physical licence whenever you drive.

If your licence is not in English

You need either an international driving permit or an approved translation, and you must carry it together with your original licence. A permit is only a certified translation — it never replaces your home licence, and it must be arranged in your own country before you travel.

Other things to check

Your licence must be valid for the whole of your stay. Renew it before you fly if it is close to expiring.
As a visitor you can drive on an overseas licence for up to 12 months from the date you arrive.
You must drive only the categories of vehicle your home licence covers.
We drive on the left, and rental companies will check your licence and often your age at pickup.

Learner or provisional licences from overseas are generally not enough to hire a car here. Check with the rental company before you book.

If the paperwork, the left-hand side of the road or the long alpine drives put you off, you do not have to hire a car at all. Private transfers and day trips with a local driver cover the same ground without a licence question in sight.

Common questions

Where do I get an international driving permit?: From the authorised motoring organisation in your own country, before you travel. They cannot be issued once you are in New Zealand.
Is a permit valid on its own?: No. It is a translation and only works alongside your original licence.
What happens after 12 months in New Zealand?: You need to convert to a New Zealand licence to keep driving legally.

See more of it in a day

Private day tours with your own driver-guide: you choose the stops, we handle the driving, the timing and the road knowledge. Add or drop places on the day as long as the finish time still works.

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