Driver licensing application requirements

Identification for driver licensing

When you apply for each stage of your licence, licence class, licence endorsement, or when you renew your licence, you will need to present evidence of your identity.

The reason you need to present identification is so Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency can prevent people from getting a driver licence fraudulently.

Only certain kinds of identification can be used for driver licensing purposes.

Evidence of your identity

When making an application, you must present:

• your New Zealand photo driver licence, which is current or has expired within the last two years, or
• your current New Zealand passport, or
• two of the following kinds of identification (one must be photographic). These must be one primary document and one supporting document from the tables below.

All documents must be originals. Photocopied or scanned documents are not acceptable.

*these documents can be current or expired up to two years. All other documents must be current.

*These documents must be issued within the last six months. They must show your first name (or initials) and last name, and the issuer (utility company or bank). They don’t need to show any transaction details. All other documents in this table must be current.

If neither document contains a photo, you must also provide a passport-style photograph signed by an identity referee. 

Identification

Evidence of Name Change

If the name you want on your driver licence is different from the name on the driver licence register, or on either of your two forms of identification, you will need to provide one of the following documents (which must be an original) as proof of your name change. Suitable documents are:

• a marriage or civil union certificate
• a dissolution of marriage or civil union order
• a certificate of annulment
• a deed poll certificate, change of name certificate or birth certificate showing both names
• a statutory declaration issued by Births, Deaths and Marriages confirming the name change.

Eyesight requirements

You need to prove that your eyesight meets the required standard each time you apply:

• for a new licence class or endorsement
• to renew existing licence classes or endorsements.

To do this, you can:

• pass an eyesight screening check at a driver licensing agent
• present a satisfactory eyesight or medical certificate (no more than 60 days old).

The certificate must be issued by a New Zealand registered optometrist or health practitioner (for example your doctor (GP), a registered nurse or nurse practitioner, or a specialist if appropriate).

Note: eyesight screening machines at driver licensing agents eliminate the need for many drivers to be tested by an optometrist or medical practitioner. However, if you don’t pass this screening check, then you must provide one of the above certificates before your licence can be issued. Some drivers choose to provide a certificate instead of undertaking a screening check. If you have sight in only one eye, or have only one eye (monocular vision) you must present an eyesight certificate from an optometrist or health practitioner.

Medical declaration

To ensure all drivers on our roads are medically fit to drive, the driver licence application form contains a medical declaration.

Every applicant has to complete this declaration.

The declaration asks you to declare these types of medical condition:

• diabetes
• locomotive joint or limb problems
• strokes
• nervous or mental disorders
• high blood pressure
• seizures, fits, convulsions, epilepsy
• serious injuries (for example, head or spinal injuries)
• visual disturbances (for example, cataracts, double vision, glaucoma)
• cerebral vascular accidents or disease
• cognitive impairment
• any other condition that may affect your ability to drive safely.

Organ donation

When you fill out your driver licence application form, you’ll be asked the following question: ‘Would you be willing to donate organs in the event of your death?’

Waka Kotahi can’t produce a driver licence card for you until you have ticked either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.

By ticking the ‘Yes’ box and signing the form, you are indicating your wish to be identified as an organ and tissue donor and have the word ‘DONOR’ printed on your driver licence. It’s also included on your record on the driver licence database.

In the event of your death, your family may be asked for their agreement before organs or tissue are removed for donation. That’s why it is very important to discuss your decision with your family.

It’s a good idea to think about organ donation before you go to the driver licensing agent.

If you would like more information about organ and tissue donation, contact Organ Donation New Zealand:

• 0800 4 DONOR (0800 436 667) or
• www.donor.co.nz(external link)

Medical certificates

You need to present a medical certificate if you:

• are applying for or renewing a P, V, I or O endorsement or licence classes 2–5, and have not provided a medical certificate for those classes or endorsements in the last five years
• have a medical condition that affects your ability to drive and your medical condition has worsened (or a new condition has been diagnosed) since your last medical certificate was presented
• are renewing your licence for a period beyond your 75th birthday
• are 75 years of age or over and applying for another class of driver licence
• are requested to by Waka Kotahi (regardless of when you last presented a medical certificate).

A medical certificate for driver licensing purposes must:

• be the original
• be issued by a New Zealand-registered health practitioner (for example your doctor (GP), a registered nurse or nurse practitioner, or a specialist if appropriate)
• be no more than 60 days old
• state that you are safe to drive, or set out the conditions under which you can drive.

The cost of a medical certificate will vary between health practitioners. You are responsible for meeting these costs. Ask for a Waka Kotahi Transport Agency Medical certificate for driver licence (your health practitioner will have copies).