Do you need an International Driving Permit in New Zealand?

Yes. New Zealand is a party to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, which recognises an International Driving Permit valid for up to 1 year when carried with your national licence.

Convention
1949 Geneva Convention
Permit valid up to
1 year
In force since
12 February 1958

New Zealand and the road traffic conventions

ConventionStatusIn force sincePermit validity
1968 Vienna ConventionNot a party——
1949 Geneva ConventionAcceded12 February 19581 year

Which vehicles your permit covers in New Zealand

New Zealand applies the vehicle classes set out by the 1949 Geneva Convention. Your permit only covers the classes that are already on your national licence, so a category you do not hold at home is not granted by the permit.

The English page of the International Driving Agency booklet, listing vehicle categories A to E
The English page of our booklet, showing the same categories an officer in New Zealand would read.
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E

What each category covers under the 1949 Geneva Convention

What to carry when you drive in New Zealand

An International Driving Permit never replaces your national licence. It is a standardised translation that local police and rental desks can read, and it is only valid alongside the licence it was issued against. Carry both, and keep your passport handy at rental pickup, since most rental companies ask to see all three before releasing a vehicle.

Our document reproduces your licence details across 12 languages in the booklet format the conventions describe, so an officer who reads none of them in your alphabet can still find your name, date of birth and vehicle classes:

  • English
  • French
  • Spanish
  • Portuguese
  • Italian
  • German
  • Russian
  • Arabic
  • Chinese
  • Japanese
  • Thai
  • Vietnamese
The inside cover of the booklet, listing the contracting states where the permit is recognised
The inside cover lists the contracting states. New Zealand appears on it.

What the road rules say in New Zealand

Traffic drives on
The left
Emergency services
general 111, police 111, ambulance 111, fire 111

Common questions about driving in New Zealand

How long is an International Driving Permit valid in New Zealand?
Up to 1 year. New Zealand joined the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic on 12 February 1958 by accession, and that convention sets the maximum at 1 year from the date of issue, or until your national licence expires if that comes first.
Which side of the road does New Zealand drive on?
The left. If you normally drive on the right, take extra care at junctions and roundabouts for the first few days, and consider an automatic hire car so you are not also changing gear with the other hand.
What do I dial in an emergency in New Zealand?
Reach general on 111, police on 111, ambulance on 111, fire on 111. The UK Foreign Office publishes these numbers for New Zealand. Save them before you drive, since you will not want to be searching for them at the roadside.
Does the permit replace my driving licence in New Zealand?
No. It is a translation of the licence you already hold and has no effect on its own. You must carry your original national licence with it at all times.

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Sources

  1. Convention on Road Traffic (Vienna, 8 November 1968) United Nations Treaty Collection, 91 parties. Checked 4 August 2026.
  2. Convention on Road Traffic (Geneva, 19 September 1949) United Nations Treaty Collection, 103 parties. Checked 4 August 2026.