Factsheet 57 – December 2006

Older drivers: Licence renewal

The information in this factsheet is current from 4 December 2006.

Drivers must renew their driver licence at age 75, 80 and every two years after that.

When renewing your licence from age 75, your health and vision must be regularly checked, both for your own safety and the safety of other road users. This process is summarised in the diagram below.

Getting a medical certificate

To renew your licence at age 75 and over you will need to visit your doctor to get a Medical certificate for driver licence.

Tell your doctor the certificate is for your driver licence. You will have to pay for the appointment yourself.

During your appointment your doctor will discuss your present state of health with you and test your eyesight. He or she will then recommend whether you are:

• medically fit to drive without restrictions
• medically fit to drive – with conditions (such as corrective lenses, time-of-day restriction, distance restriction)
• medically fit to drive – but referred for an On-road Safety Test due to uncertainty about your ability to drive safely (see below for more information)
• to be referred to a specialist (such as an optometrist or occupational therapist driving assessor) for further assessment
• not medically fit to drive. In this case your doctor is required to advise the NZ Transport Agency. Unless notified otherwise, your licence will expire on your birthday, as indicated on your photo driver licence.
  If your doctor decides you are medically fit to drive, he or she will provide you with a Medical certificate for driver licence.

Visiting the agent

You will then need to visit a driver licensing agent (a participating office of the NZ Automobile Association, Vehicle Testing New Zealand, Vehicle Inspection New Zealand or On Road NZ) and bring:

• your completed Application for renewal of driver licence form sent to you by the NZ Transport Agency in your renewal pack. (If you didn't receive a form – for example, because we don't have your current address details – you can fill in a form (DL1) at the driver licensing agent.)
• your existing photo driver licence or other acceptable evidence of your identity (page 3 of the application form has a full list)
• confirmation of your address, such as a recent bank statement (page 3 of the application form has a full list)
• Medical certificate for driver licence issued within the previous 60 days
• driver licence application renewal fee of $18.30.

If you are required to sit the On-road Safety Test you will need to pay an additional $41 test fee (see below for more information).

A new photograph will be taken and your signature recorded when you renew your licence at age 75, 86 and every ten years afterwards.

Once you have completed the application process, your new photo driver licence will be sent to the mailing address you supply. The agent will give you a temporary driver licence, so you can drive while your new photo driver licence is being produced.

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The On-road Safety Test

If your doctor decides you are medically fit to drive, but is unsure about your ability to drive safely, he or she may issue you with a Medical certificate for driver licence enabling you to renew your driver licence, provided you pass an On-road Safety Test with a testing officer.

You will need to book a separate appointment to do this at a driver licensing agent. (If you have a credit card, you may book the test over the phone by calling 0800 822 422).

For more information, ask for a copy of the Guide to the On-road Safety Test when you book your test.

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Refreshing your knowledge

Enrol in Safe with Age – a refresher course for mature road users.

The Safe with Age course is a free classroom-based programme presented over four hours. During the course you'll have the opportunity to share your experiences and concerns, as well as re-familiarising yourself with traffic rules and road safety information specific to your local area. You’ll also get some useful driving tips, which will help you feel more confident behind the wheel.

As well as a useful workbook and certificate of attendance, Safe with Age participants receive a $30 subsidy voucher that they can use towards a practical coaching and assessment drive with a Safe with Age-approved driving instructor. This is a great way to boost your confidence and improve your knowledge and skills.

To find out more, or to enrol, contact any of the following:

• your local Age Concern office (look in your phone book for your local branch)
• a road safety coordinator at your local council
• your nearest office of the NZ Transport Agency – ask to speak to the education advisor
• the driver licensing contact centre: 0800 822 422.

Land Transport NZ's booklet Keeping moving also contains tips on refreshing your knowledge and suggests other ways you can maintain your independence. Call our contact centre (0800 699 000) for a copy.

Where can I find out more?

For more information on the older driver test, contact the NZ Transport Agency:

• Email us: info@nzta.govt.nz.
• Call our driver licensing contact centre: 0800 822 422.
• Write to us: NZ Transport Agency, Private Bag 6995, Wellington 6141.