Act quickly if you've lost your licence
By acting promptly to replace or renew your lost or stolen licence you'll reduce the opportunity for it to be used in identity crime. If you can't get to one of our driver licensing agents, then contact us to cancel your licence.
How to replace your licence
Visit any of our driver licensing agents and:
- complete an Application for replacement driver licence and/or driver identification card form (DL2). (either download this form, or get a copy from any driver licensing agent).
- present evidence of your identity and address to the agent
- pay the replacement licence fee of $38.20.
Your replacement licence will have the same expiry date as your previous licence. But if you prefer, you can apply to renew your licence for up to 10 years. The fee will depend on the licence.
Remember to replace your licence quickly
There are two good reasons to replace your lost or stolen licence as quickly as you can:
- You need to carry your licence at all times when driving. If you're stopped by the NZ Police and can't produce your current driver licence, you can be fined.
- Your licence contains a number of your personal details (including your name, date of birth, licence number, a copy of your signature and possibly your address). This is one reason why many organisations, including banks and finance companies, accept licences as identity documents. Because of this your lost or stolen licence could be used in identity fraud, such as obtaining finance in your name.
You're overseas and you've lost your licence?
You can apply for a replacement licence when you're overseas. Find out how.
Found your old licence?
If you later find your old licence, hand it in to any driver licensing agent or mail it to the NZTA's Palmerston North Office. This ensures that it can't be used fraudulently.
Changing the name on your licence
If you legally change your name, you can apply to change it on your driver licence. You'll need to provide evidence of your name change. This can include the originals of documents such as:
- a marriage or civil union certificate
- a dissolution of marriage or civil union order
- a statutory declaration, deed poll change of name or a name change certificate issued by Births, Deaths and Marriages
- other suitable evidence of name change (eg adoption papers).
How to apply to change your name on your licence
You can:
- complete a replacement licence application. This costs $38.20
- change the name when your current licence or endorsement expires. The normal licence or endorsement renewal fee applies
- change your name when applying for any other licence classes or endorsements. The normal licence or endorsement application fee applies
If you've changed names several times, the agent may request to see all of your original certificates and name change documents. This is so they can track the name on your current licence through to the name you want to appear on the new licence.
How to replace your Driver Identification card
Tow truck drivers, taxi drivers and some other types of drivers such as dial-a-drivers, must display a photo Driver Identification (ID) card.
If you've lost your ID card you need to replace it immediately.
Visit a driver licensing agent and:
- complete an Application for replacement driver licence and/or driver identification card form (DL2). (either download this form, or get a copy from the driver licensing agent)
- present evidence of your identity and address to the agent
- pay the replacement ID card fee of $13.70.
Found your old ID card?
If you later find your old ID card, hand it in to any driver licensing agent or mail it to the NZTA's Palmerston North Office.
