NZ Driver’s Licence

Pink: Disqualified, Blue: Learning, Yellow: Restricted, Green: Fully Qualified

Today, we at Canterbury College congratulate one of our own, Andre Nunes – Marketing Manager. Andre has passed his final test and is now the proud owner of a NZ Driver’s License. Andre is from Brazil and therefore has first-hand experience in obtaining a driver’s license in New Zealand as someone from overseas.

We know that many students at Canterbury College are also curious about this process and Andre has been kind enough to give us an inside scoop about his experience…

Andre converted his driver’s licence from Brazil to a New Zealand driver’s licence.  He told us that even with his Brazilian Driver’s License and over 10 years of driving experience he still had to sit the theory and practical driving tests.

CanCan: How long did it take you to get your licence converted?

Andre: To convert my licence I had to do both tests, the practical test and the theory test, but it’s a very easy process. It only took about 2 weeks.

CanCan: How much did it cost?

Andre: $94 for the Application plus the theory test and if you fail the test you can re-do it, and re-do it and re-do it for just $45 each re-do.

CanCan: And how much does the practical test cost?

Andre: $85

CanCan: How long did you have your licence in Brazil?

Andre: Around 11 years

CanCan: How difficult were the tests in your opinion?

Andre: It’s very, very easy if you just study hard.

CanCan: Do you have any study tips for our readers?

Andre: For $80 you can buy a lot of practice questions for the Theory tests and if you really study those, you will be fine. I only studied for about one week.  You can also buy the New Zealand Road Code for $24, but the practice questions should be enough. It was for me.

CanCan: Do you have any last bits of advice?

Andre: Just study a lot because the practice questions are EXACTLY what they will ask on the test. There are no surprises.

Thanks for the tips, Andre and congratulations

To learn more, see the excerpt below from the New Zealand Transport Agency Website…

Can I drive in New Zealand?
Do you have a current and valid* overseas driver licence orinternational driving permit?
*A current and valid overseas driver licence means that your licence allows you to legally drive in your own country. If you are disqualified from driving or your licence is currently suspended, expired or revoked, then you are not allowed to drive in New Zealand.
No – I don’t have a current overseas driver licence or international driving permit
If you do not have a current overseas driver licence, you cannot drive.
You must apply for a New Zealand driver licence if you wish to drive here. See Factsheet 45 Learning to drive: How to get your licence for more information.
Yes – I do have a current overseas driver licence or international driving permit
If you do have a current and valid overseas driver licence orinternational driving permit, you can drive using that for a maximum of 12 months from the date you arrive in New Zealand.Note: if your overseas licence or permit isn’t in English, you must carry an accurate translation.  Click here to find out if you are required to take the practical test, theory test, both, or neither.

If you’re new to New Zealand and planning on driving here, the New Zealand Transport Agency also has all information regarding New Zealand’s Road Rules and can tell you step by step how to obtain your driver’s license if you don’t already have one. See the link below for more information.

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/licence/getting/cars/car-licence.html

Just try to remember to drive on the left!

Licence Dissected