Driving in New Zealand

If you have a current and valid overseas driver licence or international driving permit (IDP), 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, we recommend that you apply for an international driver's license (IDP).

You can apply for an IDP on the basis of holding a valid Japanese driver licence at your local driver licence centre in Japan. For further information provided by the National Police Agency on application requirements and a list of driver licence centres, see here (Japanese language only).

If you hold a valid driver licence from another country, please contact the relevant authority in that country regarding issue of an IDP.

For more important points about driving in New Zealand, see the "New residents and visitors: Driving in New Zealand" guide prepared by the New Zealand Transport Agency.