Driver licences that expire between 21 July 2021 and 31 May 2022 must be renewed by 11.59pm, 31 May 2022.
You are encouraged to visit a licensing agent as soon as you can as they are open. Remember to bring all necessary and valid documents with you and please be patient as licensing agents may be experiencing longer wait times.
Licences with the following status are not extended and are encouraged to visit a licensing agent now if required:
From 3 December 2021, driver licensing agents are following the guidelines set out in the traffic light system, including continued 1m distancing. Use of face coverings is mandatory. For the safety of customers and staff, some sites may require you to produce your vaccination certificate (My Vaccine Pass). We recommend you check the requirements of the driver licensing agent before you arrive.
Yes it is. From 3 December 2021, driver licensing agents are following the guidelines set out in the traffic light system, including continued 1m distancing. Use of face coverings is mandatory. For the safety of customers and staff, some sites may require you to produce your vaccination certificate (My Vaccine Pass). We recommend you check the requirements of the driver licensing agent before you arrive.
Driver testing is a close contact service, and to comply with guidelines of the new traffic light system from 3 December 2021 all test applicants must be fully vaccinated and show a ‘My Vaccine Pass’ to sit a test. If test applicants are joined by a support person, the support person must also show a Vaccine Pass.
If a test can’t be conducted, the applicant can choose to have it rescheduled free of charge to a time when it can be conducted safely in line with COVID protocols or obtain a refund from Waka Kotahi.
Face coverings must also be worn during tests. If either the test applicant or support person has a face covering exemption, they must contact VTNZ in advance at DTexemptions@vtnz.co.nz.
More information is available for customers on the VTNZ website(external link)
Complete an application for refund of driver licence fee (DL13) [PDF, 112 KB]
We encourage you to renew your driver licence or endorsement as soon as possible as driver licensing agents are open. While temporary extensions are in place for driver licences and endorsements that expire between 21 July 2021 and 31 May 2022 we recommend you visit soon to help avoid longer wait times at the agent counter. Please ensure you take the correct documents required with you.
If your licence or endorsement remains expires after the extension ends, you won’t be able to continue driving until it is renewed.
From 3 December 2021, driver licensing agents are following the guidelines set out in the traffic light system, including continued 1m distancing. Use of face coverings is mandatory. For the safety of customers and staff, some sites may require you to produce your vaccination certificate (My Vaccine Pass). We recommend you check the requirements of the driver licensing agent before you arrive.
Information about the temporary extensions in place
Government COVID-19 information(external link)
From 3 December 2021, driver licensing agents are following the guidelines set out in the traffic light system, including continued 1m distancing. Use of face coverings is mandatory. For the safety of customers and staff, some sites may require you to produce your vaccination certificate (My Vaccine Pass). We recommend you check the requirements of the driver licensing agent before you arrive.
Driver testing is a close contact service, and to comply with guidelines of the new traffic light system from 3 December 2021 all test applicants must be fully vaccinated and show a ‘My Vaccine Pass’ to sit a test. If test applicants are joined by a support person, the support person must also show a Vaccine Pass.
If a test can’t be conducted, the applicant can choose to have it rescheduled free of charge to a time when it can be conducted safely in line with COVID protocols or obtain a refund from Waka Kotahi.
Face coverings must also be worn during tests. If either the test applicant or support person has a face covering exemption, they must contact VTNZ in advance at DTexemptions@vtnz.co.nz.
More information is available for customers on the VTNZ website(external link)
Complete an application for refund of driver licence fee (DL13) [PDF, 112 KB]
The start date of the new licensing period depends on whether the original expiry date has passed.
If you renew your licence or endorsement before it has expired, the new period will start from the existing expiry date, giving you the same validity period as you always receive. For example, a licence that is renewed on 1 September with an expiry date of 1 October will have a new licensing period starting from 1 October.
If the original expiry date on your licence or endorsement has passed and it is temporarily extended, the new period will start from the date you have your licence renewed.
We encourage you to renew your small or large P or D endorsement as soon as possible as driver licensing agents are open. While temporary extensions are in place for driver licences and endorsements that expire between 21 July 2021 and 31 May 2022, we recommend you visit soon to help avoid longer wait times at the agent counter. Please ensure you take the correct documents required with you.
If your licence or endorsement remains expired after the extension ends, you won’t be able to continue driving until it is renewed.
From 3 December 2021, driver licensing agents are following the guidelines set out in the traffic light system, including continued 1m distancing. Use of face coverings is mandatory. For the safety of customers and staff, some sites may require you to produce your vaccination certificate (My Vaccine Pass). We recommend you check the requirements of the driver licensing agent before you arrive.
Information about the temporary extensions in place
If you are currently suspended or disqualified your suspension or disqualification will still end on the same date, it will not be extended. You can reinstate your licence now as driver licensing agents are open.
From 3 December 2021, driver licensing agents are following the guidelines set out in the traffic light system, including continued 1m distancing. Use of face coverings is mandatory. For the safety of customers and staff, some sites may require you to produce your vaccination certificate (My Vaccine Pass). We recommend you check the requirements of the driver licensing agent before you arrive.
No, you are unable to drive your vehicle. We can revoke and suspend licences on safety grounds, which includes acting on advice regarding whether or not a driver is medically fit to drive a light vehicle.
We will take the impacts of COVID-19 and the alert levels into consideration for the validity of Medical and Eyesight Certificates presented.
We encourage you to renew your medical/eyesight certificate as soon as possible as driver licensing agents are open. Please ensure you take the correct documents required with you.
From 3 December 2021, driver licensing agents are following the guidelines set out in the traffic light system, including continued 1m distancing. Use of face coverings is mandatory. For the safety of customers and staff, some sites may require you to produce your vaccination certificate (My Vaccine Pass). We recommend you check the requirements of the driver licensing agent before you arrive.
If your driver licence expires between 21 July 2021 and 31 May 2022, it is temporarily extended if it meets the criteria and can be used to sit your practical driver test.
This doesn’t apply if you hold an alcohol interlock licence as you can’t apply for a new class or stage until you’ve been approved to exit the alcohol interlock programme.
If you don’t meet the criteria to be extended, you will need to renew your licence prior to your test.
We encourage you to renew your driver licence as soon as possible as driver licensing agents are open. Please ensure you take the correct documents required with you.
From 3 December 2021, driver licensing agents are following the guidelines set out in the traffic light system, including continued 1m distancing. Use of face coverings is mandatory. For the safety of customers and staff, some sites may require you to produce your vaccination certificate (My Vaccine Pass). We recommend you check the requirements of the driver licensing agent before you arrive.
Driver testing is a close contact service, and to comply with guidelines of the new traffic light system from 3 December 2021 all test applicants must be fully vaccinated and show a ‘My Vaccine Pass’ to sit a test. If test applicants are joined by a support person, the support person must also show a Vaccine Pass.
If a test can’t be conducted, the applicant can choose to have it rescheduled free of charge to a time when it can be conducted safely in line with COVID protocols or obtain a refund from Waka Kotahi.
Face coverings must also be worn during tests. If either the test applicant or support person has a face covering exemption, they must contact VTNZ in advance at DTexemptions@vtnz.co.nz.
More information is available for customers on the VTNZ website(external link)
Complete an application for refund of driver licence fee (DL13) [PDF, 112 KB]
We are not issuing new cards to reflect the extended period you can use your licence for. If your driver licence card shows an expiry date between 21 July 2021 and 31 May 2022, it is deemed current. However, if you apply to renew, a new driver licence card with the renewed expiry date will be issued.
Police are aware that licences that expire 21 July 2021 and 31 May 2022 are deemed current. If your driver licence card shows an expiry date between 21 July 2021 and 31 May 2022, it shouldn’t be taken off you for the reason of expiry.
If any other issues require your driver licence to be taken from you, this is at Police discretion.
Reminder notices are generated by the original expiry date of your licence. Even though the expiry may have been extended, we are continuing to send renewal reminders as they also detail the process to renew should anyone wish to do so now.
If your driver licence expires between 21 July 2021 and 31 May 2022, it is temporarily extended if it meets the criteria and can be used to sit your theory or practical driver test.
This doesn’t apply if you hold an alcohol interlock licence as you can’t apply for a new class or stage until you’ve been approved to exit the alcohol interlock programme.
If you don’t meet the criteria to be extended, you will need to renew your licence prior to your test.
We encourage you to renew your driver licence as soon as possible as driver licensing agents are open. Please ensure you take the correct documents required with you.
From 3 December 2021, driver licensing agents are following the guidelines set out in the traffic light system, including continued 1m distancing. Use of face coverings is mandatory. For the safety of customers and staff, some sites may require you to produce your vaccination certificate (My Vaccine Pass). We recommend you check the requirements of the driver licensing agent before you arrive.
Driver testing is a close contact service, and to comply with guidelines of the new traffic light system from 3 December 2021 all test applicants must be fully vaccinated and show a ‘My Vaccine Pass’ to sit a test. If test applicants are joined by a support person, the support person must also show a Vaccine Pass.
If a test can’t be conducted, the applicant can choose to have it rescheduled free of charge to a time when it can be conducted safely in line with COVID protocols or obtain a refund from Waka Kotahi.
Face coverings must also be worn during tests. If either the test applicant or support person has a face covering exemption, they must contact VTNZ in advance at DTexemptions@vtnz.co.nz.
More information is available for customers on the VTNZ website(external link)
Complete an application for refund of driver licence fee (DL13) [PDF, 112 KB]
If you are ready to progress to the next stage of your licence, you need to book a practical test as early as possible to secure a time. From 1 December 2021 when you renew your learner or restricted licence you won’t have to sit a theory test and it will be valid for 10 years. You can also renew your licence whenever you like instead of having to wait until 90 days before it expires.
From 3 December 2021, driver licensing agents are following the guidelines set out in the traffic light system, including continued 1m distancing. Use of face coverings is mandatory. For the safety of customers and staff, some sites may require you to produce your vaccination certificate (My Vaccine Pass). We recommend you check the requirements of the driver licensing agent before you arrive.
Driver testing is a close contact service, and to comply with guidelines of the new traffic light system from 3 December 2021 all test applicants must be fully vaccinated and show a ‘My Vaccine Pass’ to sit a test. If test applicants are joined by a support person, the support person must also show a Vaccine Pass.
If a test can’t be conducted, the applicant can choose to have it rescheduled free of charge to a time when it can be conducted safely in line with COVID protocols or obtain a refund from Waka Kotahi.
Face coverings must also be worn during tests. If either the test applicant or support person has a face covering exemption, they must contact VTNZ in advance at DTexemptions@vtnz.co.nz.
