Visitors can drive in New Zealand on their overseas licence, as long as it is current and valid and you have not been disqualified or suspended in New Zealand. The NZeTA has nothing to do with driving — it does not replace a licence and does not limit it.
How long an overseas licence can be used
- Until 31 October 2026: up to 18 months from your last arrival on an overseas car licence, and 12 months on a motorcycle or truck licence
- From 1 November 2026: the car licence period drops to 12 months from the day you last arrived
- If you arrived between 1 November 2024 and 31 October 2026, the 18-month period continues to apply to you
A visitor stay is normally up to 3 months (6 months on a UK passport), so these limits only matter if you stay much longer on another visa.
If your licence is not in English
You must also carry an accurate English translation or an International Driving Permit (IDP) — and your original licence, always. A translation must come from a translation service authorised by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), a high commission, embassy or consulate, or the authority that issued your licence. An IDP issued under a United Nations road traffic convention is accepted as a translation; for car licences it may be current or expired by up to six months.
If you plan to hire a car, NZTA recommends confirming with the rental company before you agree that your licence is all right for the vehicle you want. Minimum ages and other conditions for rental are set by each company.
Rules that catch visitors out
- Drive on the left, and keep left at every intersection and every time you pull out on to a road
- At a stop sign, stop completely, then give way to all traffic. At roundabouts, go clockwise and give way to traffic on your right
- On one-lane bridges, the small red arrow on the sign shows which direction must give way
- A solid yellow line on your side of the centre line means no overtaking
- Everyone in the vehicle must wear a seat belt; children under 7 need an approved child restraint
- Hand-held phone use while driving is illegal — $150 fine and 20 demerit points
- Speed limits are in km/h and shown on signs. Vehicles over 3,500 kg or towing (including caravans) are limited to 90 km/h even where the limit is 100
Alcohol, drugs and speeding
- Drivers aged 20 and over: limit of 250 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath (50 mg per 100 ml of blood)
- Drivers under 20: the limit is zero
- Police can breath-test and oral-fluid drug-test drivers at any time
- Speeding fines rise from $30 (under 10 km/h over) to $630 (up to 50 km/h over); more than 40 km/h over can also mean a 28-day licence suspension
If police want you to stop, they drive behind you with red and blue lights and a siren. Pull over safely as soon as possible and wait in the car. For urgent but non-life-threatening road incidents, call *555 from a mobile.
NZTA publishes its Driving in New Zealand booklet for visitors in many languages, including German and Korean, and the full New Zealand Road Code online.
Source: NZ Transport Agency — Driving on NZ roads (visitors)
Source: NZ Transport Agency — Driving in New Zealand booklet
Source: New Zealand Police — Road rules and reasons
Source: New Zealand Police — Speeding fines
Common questions
Can I drive in New Zealand with a German or Korean licence?
Yes, if it is current and valid. If it is not in English, carry an approved English translation or an International Driving Permit together with the original licence.
What is the drink-drive limit in New Zealand?
250 micrograms per litre of breath (50 mg per 100 ml of blood) for drivers aged 20 and over, and zero for drivers under 20.
Which side of the road do they drive on?
The left. Keep left at every intersection and when pulling out on to a road.
More on the NZeTA
Emergency numbers and safety
Call 111 for police, fire or ambulance, 105 for police non-emergencies. What to do in an earthquake or tsunami, and before a hike.
Length of stay
Up to three months per visit for most travellers, and up to 6 months on a UK passport. The border officer decides on arrival.
Smoking, vaping and alcohol
18 to buy alcohol, tobacco or vapes, and a passport is the ID visitors can use. No smoking or vaping indoors in bars, and local liquor bans.
Phones and SIM cards
To use the local network you need a New Zealand SIM. Coverage is good in towns but patchy in rural areas. 111 is free even without credit.
What is the NZeTA
The NZeTA is a pre-travel authorisation for visa-waiver passports, not a visa. What it covers, who needs one, and what it does not do.
How to apply
Applying takes about ten minutes in the official app (NZ$17) or on the Immigration NZ website (NZ$23). The steps in order, and what trips people up.