What to take to the driver licensing agent

Resources

• See our driver licensing factsheets - they explain the requirements for getting different types of driver licence, including what you need to take with you.

Information

You'll need to go to a Land Transport New Zealand driver licensing agent to apply for or renew your driver licence.

There are several important pieces of information you must provide. You can save yourself time and inconvenience by making sure you have the following with you (these must be original documents):

• Application form
• Identification
• Evidence of your address
• Confirmation of name change (if applicable)
• Eyesight certificate or corrective eyewear
• Medical certificate (if applicable)
• Means of payment

Application form

Take your completed application form. (Forms are available from driver licensing agents.)

Identification

• See also Factsheet 20 Identification for driver licensing.

Take one of the following forms of personal identification (these must be original documents):

• A New Zealand driver licence that is current or has expired within the last two years
• A New Zealand or overseas passport that is current or has expired within the last two years
• A full birth certificate issued in NZ, the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau. (Note: older-style birth certificates that do not include your parents' details are no longer accepted by government agencies (including Land Transport NZ) as evidence of identity.)
• A New Zealand photo firearms licence that is current or has expired within the last two years
• One of the following certificates issued under the Citizenship Act 1977:
  
  • Certificate of NZ Citizenship
  • Certificate confirming NZ Citizenship
  • Certificate confirming registration of NZ Citizenship by descent
• A certificate of identity issued under the Passports Act 1992 that is current.
• A refugee travel document issued by or on behalf of the NZ Government that is current.
• A certificate of identity issued under the Immigration Act 1987 that is current.
• A NZ Police or NZ Defence Force photo-identity card issued to non-civilian staff that is current or has expired within the last two years.

Evidence of your address

Take one of the following forms of identification as evidence of your postal or residential address:

• An account statement from your bank, building society, credit union or credit card company, issued within the last 12 months, which has your name and address on it
• A telephone, gas, or electricity account, issued within the last six months, which has your name and address on it
• Other evidence of address issued within the last 12 months - for example:
  • If you're still at school or are attending a tertiary institution, a school report or records certified by a teacher or lecturer will be accepted
  • If you have no fixed abode, proof of mail being sent to a post office for collection is sufficient.

Confirmation of change of name

If the name you want on your driver licence is different from the name on your identification or the evidence of your address, you'll need to take one of the following:

• Your marriage certificate
• A Dissolution of marriage order that says that the dissolution is 'decree absolute' (ie, final)
• An original document from Births, Deaths and Marriages confirming that your name has been legally changed
• A change of name by statuatory declaration, or deed poll of change of name, issued by Births, Deaths and Marriages
• Other suitable identification (eg, adoption papers).

Eyesight certificate or correcting lenses

Each time you apply for a new licence class or endorsement you must prove that your eyesight meets the required standard.

To do this you can take a certificate issued by a New Zealand-registered optometrist or medical practitioner stating that your eyesight is satisfactory or that you may drive safely when using glasses or contact lenses. This certificate must not be more than 60 days old.

Alternatively, you can pass an eyesight screening check at a driver licensing agent. However, if you do not pass this screening check then you must provide an eyesight certificate before your application can proceed. If you're going to be tested by the licensing agent, remember to take your glasses or contact lenses, if you wear them for driving.

If you have sight in only one eye, or have only one eye (monocular vision) you must present an eyesight certificate from a doctor or optometrist.

• Read more about eyesight checks.

Medical certificate

You must produce a medical certificate, completed by your medical practitioner, if:

• you're turning 75, 80 or an even-numbered age older than 80
• you have, or have had in the last five years, a medical condition that could adversely affect your ability to drive. The types of medical condition that may require a medical certificate include:
  • diabetes
  • visual disturbances (eg, diplopia (double vision) or cataracts)
  • Alzheimers
  • seizures, fits, convulsions, epilepsy
  • serious injuries (eg, head or spinal injuries)
  • high blood pressure
  • amputations
  • mental illness or nervous disorders
  • locomotive joint or limb problems
  • stroke
  • cerebral vascular accidents/disease
  • cognitive impairment
  • any other condition that may affect your ability to drive safely
• you're renewing a Class 2, 3, 4 or 5 licence and have not presented a medical certificate in the last five years
• you're renewing a P, V, I or O endorsement and have not presented a medical certificate in the last five years
• you're requested to do so by Land Transport New Zealand.

Note: If you're a driver renewing a commercial licence, you need to provide a medical certificate when you renew your licence class(es). (A medical certificate may not be required, however, if one has been supplied to Land Transport New Zealand within the past five years and any medical condition you may have has not worsened, or any new condition been diagnosed.) The requirement to provide a medical certificate when you renew a commercial licence is a road safety measure that recognises the accident risks associated with driving for extended periods and/or driving heavy vehicles. It also recognises that the public have a right to expect that drivers to whom they entrust their safety (eg, taxi drivers) are proven medically fit.

• Read more about medical certificates.

Means of payment

Make sure you take:

• a means of paying the appropriate fee - cheque, cash or EFTPOS card. (Some agents accept credit cards.)
  Note: If you pay by cheque, your driver licence will be delayed while your cheque is cleared.

Last updated: 14 August 2007