Organ and tissue donation

When you fill out your driver licence application form, you'll be asked the following question:

Would you be willing to donate organs in the event of your death?

There is a box to tick for 'Yes' and one for 'No'.

Land Transport New Zealand can't produce a licence card for you until you have ticked either 'Yes' or 'No'.

It's a good idea to think about organ donation before you go to the driver licensing agent.

What happens if I tick 'No' for the organ donation question?

If you tick the 'No' box, nothing will show on your driver licence regarding your donor status and you will not be recorded as a donor on the driver licence database.

What happens if I tick 'Yes'?

By ticking the 'Yes' box and signing the form, all you are agreeing to is having the word 'DONOR' printed on your licence card. (It's also recorded on your record on the driver licence database.)

Driver licence notification is not informed consent

If you've indicated on your driver licence that you wish to be a donor, this does not count as 'informed consent' for your organs and tissues to be retrieved for transplant purposes in the event of your death.

If a person gives 'informed consent', this means that they have enough information to fully understand what they agree to, and that their agreement is given willingly. It's very difficult to prove the circumstances or level of knowledge a person had at the time of making their licence application.

Discuss your decision with your family

Ticking the 'Yes' box on your driver licence form only means that you have indicated your wish to be identified as an organ and tissue donor. It does not automatically mean that your organs or tissues will be donated in the event of your death. In practice, your family will always be asked for their agreement to organ and tissue donation.

If your family knows what your wishes are in regard to donation, they will be more likely to follow them through in the event of your death. Having your wishes displayed on your driver licence is just one way of making them known to your family. You should also discuss your decision with them.

If you would like to donate certain organs or tissues but not others, make sure that you discuss this with your family, too.

What if I change my mind about organ donation?

Ring Land Transport New Zealand's Driver Licensing Call Centre (0800 822 422). We'll change your licence record on the driver licence database.

If you want a new licence card that shows your new choice, you'll need to go to a driver licensing agent and apply for a replacement card - this costs $31.10. (You'll need to take identification with you.)

You'll have the opportunity to reconsider your decision every time you renew, replace or change your licence in any way. Every driver licensing application form used by Land Transport New Zealand asks you whether you want to donate your organs.

How Land Transport New Zealand fits in

Some people have asked why Land Transport New Zealand is involved in recording organ donor status on driver licences, because this has nothing to do with either driver licensing or road safety.

The driver licensing system provides a convenient way to collect this information, because most of the adult population has a driver licence that has to be periodically renewed, replaced or changed in some way.

This follows the practice in other countries.

Should I be an organ donor?

Whether or not you agree to be identified as a potential donor on your driver licence is a matter of personal choice. There are no legal or moral obligations to be a donor and your decision will not affect your licence to drive in any way. However, we suggest you take some time to think about organ and tissue donation before making your decision.

Need more information?

If you would like more information about organ and tissue donation, contact Organ Donation New Zealand:

• Freephone 0800 4 donor (0800 436 667)
• Email donornz@adhb.govt.nz.

Last updated: 8 May 2006