Do I need an IDP to drive in New Zealand in 2024?

Do I need an IDP?

Full laws breakdown for driving with the Australian license in New Zealand

To determine with confidence whether you need an IDP or not, we check multiple data sources. Please review the following legal terms of: the Australian laws, the local laws in New Zealand, the rental company requirements and real life reports we collected from other Australian travelers in New Zealand.

What do the laws in New Zealand say about driving with a foreign driving license?

The laws in New Zealand say the following:
You can drive in New Zealand without a New Zealand driver licence if: you have a current and valid overseas licence or driver permit, and you haven’t been given a disqualification or suspension in New Zealand, and you came into New Zealand less than 12 months ago, and your overseas licence is in English, or you have an accurate translation, and you haven’t been granted a New Zealand driver licence since you last entered New Zealand. If you don't meet all of these requirements, you must apply for a New Zealand driver licence to drive in New Zealand.
Source: Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

It means that:
1. You can drive in New Zealand without an International Driving Permit as your Australian license is written in English.
2. An International Driving Permit is only required in New Zealand if the driver license is not written in English.

What are the rental agency terms for driving with a foreign license?

Different rental agencies might still require an IDP even while the local laws do not require it. Please find your appropriate local supplier in the list above to verify.

What do Australian travelers report after being pulled over by the local police in New Zealand?

We don't have any real life reports by Australian travelers in New Zealand.
If you've been there and was pulled over by the local officials, please share your experience with us and we will publish it to help others.

Where can I get an IDP?

Facts check reviewed on 16 September 2024 at 1:37 pm by international-drivers.org researchers team.

Help us get it right!

Have you found a mistake or rented a car and can report with an up-to-date status?

Please help us helping other travelers with recent actual requirements of your rental agency or after being pulled over by the local police.

Why we created this website?

For years there's uncertainty of whether the driving license can be used abroad as is. We see travelers taking the effort of driving to the offices to purchase it, which is sometimes a non trivial effort, and at the end - nobody asks them to show the IDP.
This is frustrating as the IDP wasn't cheap or easy to get.

Read more about us and our efforts to clarify where the IDP is really needed and where it isn't.

Hold an IDP to be on the safe side

If you have the time, we always recommend to purchase an IDP, even if the information on our website says with confidence that you won't need one.