The Government is temporarily extending the amount of time people can drive on overseas licences from 12 months to 18 months.

It follows previous changes announced in July, which includes Class 1 driver licence test applicants now being required to pay for any additional tests after one free re-sit.

The extension for converting an overseas driver licence from 12 months to 18 months requires a change to driver licensing rules and will take effect from November 2024. It will be in place for two years before reverting to the 12-month requirement.

The previous government removed fees for re-sits of theory and practical tests.

“One of the challenges alongside the unlimited free re-sits, has been the surge in the number of overseas licence conversions with overseas licence conversions outnumbering domestic tests since November last year,” said Transport Minister Simeon Brown.

“The Government has taken several actions to reduce wait times and progress is taking place, but there is still more work to do,” said Brown.

“Through these actions, the wait times have eased to an average of 35 days for a full driver licence, and to 46 days for a restricted driver licence test. However, there is still more work to do as this is above the target of 90 per cent of practical tests being taken within 30 days of booking.”

The Government and NZTA have already taken to reduce driver licence wait times by:

• Introducing a limit of one free re-sit for Class 1 driver licence tests
• Putting a 10 day stand down in place following a second failed theory test attempt on the same day.
• Removing free re-sits for overseas licence conversions
• Recruiting 52 additional Driver Testing Officers and 19 temporary Driver Testing Officers to increase the number of tests able to be completed each week.