Ask an expert


sandra_s

Hi there,

when I moved to New Zealand over 2 years ago, I found the information, that my german driver's license is valid up to one year of living here and then I would need to sort out an NZ license.
It happened that I went back to Germany twice (last time half a year ago for 5 weeks) and understood that each time I enter the country I can drive for a further 12-month period.
Is this correct? My partner is worried that the car insurance wouldn't accept a claim.

Thanks!

ABayliss

I think you need to be very careful. You said yourself that you "moved to New Zealand over 2 years ago." This would indicate to me that your place of residence for the last 2 years has really been New Zealand, so it would be in your best interest to obtain a New Zealand driver's license.
It is not a major undertaking to transfer your German license to a New Zealand one as European licenses can be converted to NZ.
Go into any Driver Licensing centre to complete the transfer.

sandra_s

Thank you!
Hmm don't know, I'm not a resident and with regular long stays over there I feel more like residing in both countries :)

I was thinking about changing the license over earlier, but was told from others, that their german license was cut up and thrown away or sent back to Germany. I don't want to loose my old German license, so what can I do? Can I just make a new New Zealand one? And would I need to start from scratch?

ABayliss

I would think that there must be a reciprocal arrangement between New Zealand and Germany. You would need to check with the German authorities, but I would imagine that if you can swap your German license for a NZ one, you can most likely swap your NZ one back for a German one in the event you return to Germany.
You may even be able to get a replacement one if you return to Germany, as you have already had one.
Either way, I'd strongly suggest you go into a licensing centre and sort this out because at present you are driving illegally.

sandra_s

So then I would need to swap my licenses over and over again until the rest of my life? As I said, part of the year I'm living in Germany. Would be much easier, if I can keep my German one and make a New Zealand one once. Is this possible?

And thanks for the information! Yesterday we rang AA and they told us, my license is fine for 12 months every time I enter the country, but not a single day longer! The same information I found on the NZ Transport Agency Website 2 years ago. A bit confusing :)

ABayliss

Yes, there is no reason why you couldn't obtain a NZ license and keep your German one. As you are more or less living in New Zealand (albeit, going back to Germany for some of the time), I think you should have a NZ license.