Demand high for driver licence conversions

The NZTA is battling a growing backlog of overseas driver licence conversions as numbers increase in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The agency reports there has been a surge in the number of overseas driver licence holders who want to convert their licence to a New Zealand one.

Drivers from overseas who meet certain criteria can drive here without a New Zealand driver licence for a maximum period of 12 months from the date they arrive.

If a driver is here for more than a year, they need to obtain a New Zealand licence or people from some nations can convert their existing licence to a Kiwi version.

Licence holders from 24 countries are exempt in most licence classes from resitting a theory test and – if they have held a licence for two years – a practical test.

However, those from other countries must undergo additional assessments such as theory and practical tests at specialist overseas conversion sites.

Sue Hardiman, NZTA’s senior manager, vehicle and driver licensing, says the number of applications for conversions for drivers from non-exempt countries is significantly higher than usual.

“This has meant that during the period of June and July the processing time for these applications was nearly 30 days.

“Many overseas drivers who are nearing the end of the 12-month validity period for their overseas licences may not be intending to leave New Zealand due to Covid-19 travel restrictions. This means they now need to convert to a New Zealand driver licence to continue driving on our roads.

“We’re doing everything we can to clear the backlog and reduce the processing time and will update our website with the latest information.”