Replacing a lost or stolen licence

If your New Zealand driver licence has been lost or stolen, you can apply for a replacement. The cost is NZ$31.10.

How to replace your New Zealand driver licence if you're in New Zealand

1. Get an Application for a replacement driver licence form (DL2) from a driver licensing agent.
2. Give the completed form to the agent, along with:
   • identification and evidence of your address
   • the fee for the replacement licence.

If you find your lost licence after you've applied for a replacement, destroy the old licence. It won't be accepted as a valid driver licence.

Your replacement driver licence will be issued with the same expiry date as your previous one. If you prefer to, you can renew your licence for up to 10 years instead of applying for a replacement licence.

How to replace your New Zealand driver licence if you're overseas

You should either:

• apply for a replacement licence, or
• have your licence details (in the form of a certificate of particulars) sent to you.

Applying for a replacement licence when you're overseas

Your licence must be current. (Read Factsheet 65 to find out what to do if your licence has expired.)

Fill out an Application for a replacement driver licence form (DL2A) (PDF, 723 KB). You can get one by:

• faxing ++64 6 953 6267 (Attention 'Driver Licensing')
• emailing info@nzta.govt.nz
• writing to:
  The Transport Registry Centre
  Private Bag
  Palmerston North
  New Zealand.

You'll need to provide an email, fax or postal address for the application form to be sent to.

Post the completed form to the Transport Registry Centre (at the address above). You must include:

• certified copies of your identification and evidence of address. This means your photocopies must be signed by an official (eg, a lawyer or a representative at a New Zealand Embassy) to confirm they're true and accurate copies of the original documents
• the replacement licence fee in New Zealand dollars (NZ$31.10).

It will take a few weeks to produce your licence.

Your replacement licence will have the same expiry date as your previous licence.

Alternatively - you can have someone with power of attorney pick up a form at any driver licensing agent, apply on your behalf and send the replacement licence to you. (Driver licences will only be posted to New Zealand addresses.) This person will need to present their original power of attorney documentation, their own evidence of identity, and pay the replacement licence fee.

• Read about power of attorney at the New Zealand Law Society website.

Getting a certificate of particulars

Getting a certificate of particulars is much faster than applying for a replacement licence.

Please note, however, that a certificate of particulars is not a licence to drive - it is only confirmation of the classes of driver licence you hold, the issue date of your licence, and whether your licence is current. (The certificate may be useful, however, if you want to obtain an overseas domestic licence.)

The certificate can be emailed, faxed or posted to you. There will be a charge of NZ$9.10 for the certificate.

To apply for a certificate of particulars:

• Driver Licensing Call Centre: (freephone) 0800 822 422
• (from overseas) +64 6 953 6200

Methods of payment:

• Credit card
• Cheque

If your request is via post, a cheque needs to be enclosed.

Provide as many details as you can: full name, date of birth, address listed on the licence, licence number. This is to ensure the right driver licence record is found.

Provide an email, fax or postal address where the certificate can be sent to you.

Getting an overseas domestic licence

You may want to consider getting an overseas domestic licence. We suggest overseas travellers find out from the local (overseas) driver licensing office how long they may drive on their New Zealand licence. Most countries require visitors who are resident for more than 12 months to convert their New Zealand licence to an overseas domestic licence. (See Factsheet 65 Overseas travel and New Zealand driver licences for more information.)

Page updated: 25 June 2007