UK Drivers licences need renewing - should we just get NZ ones or renew UK ones???
Dec 14th 2010, 11:31 pm
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 17
UK Drivers licences need renewing - should we just get NZ ones or renew UK ones???
Hi all,
We've been in Auckland a few months now and are unsure how long we'll be staying in NZ. It looks like it'll be until at least next Christmas (2011). My partner and my own UK drivers licences need renewing as the photocards are at their 10 year expiry date, but should we just get NZ ones? I understand NZ authorities then take your UK one off you. If we want to return to the UK, I assume we can get the UK one back somehow? Or should we just renew the UK licences and not get a NZ one?
Has anyone had to return to the UK after having an expired UK licence and had to retake their test?? This is what I'm worried about - is there a set amount of time that we can not renew the UK licence for before they decide you have to retake your test?
Any advice from people who've been through the process or know anything helpful would be much appreciated!
Thanks,
Sarah
We've been in Auckland a few months now and are unsure how long we'll be staying in NZ. It looks like it'll be until at least next Christmas (2011). My partner and my own UK drivers licences need renewing as the photocards are at their 10 year expiry date, but should we just get NZ ones? I understand NZ authorities then take your UK one off you. If we want to return to the UK, I assume we can get the UK one back somehow? Or should we just renew the UK licences and not get a NZ one?
Has anyone had to return to the UK after having an expired UK licence and had to retake their test?? This is what I'm worried about - is there a set amount of time that we can not renew the UK licence for before they decide you have to retake your test?
Any advice from people who've been through the process or know anything helpful would be much appreciated!
Thanks,
Sarah
Dec 14th 2010, 11:43 pm
#2
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2006
Location: Was Torbay, NZ now North Yorkshire UK
Posts: 813
Re: UK Drivers licences need renewing - should we just get NZ ones or renew UK ones??
Hi all,
We've been in Auckland a few months now and are unsure how long we'll be staying in NZ. It looks like it'll be until at least next Christmas (2011). My partner and my own UK drivers licences need renewing as the photocards are at their 10 year expiry date, but should we just get NZ ones? I understand NZ authorities then take your UK one off you. If we want to return to the UK, I assume we can get the UK one back somehow? Or should we just renew the UK licences and not get a NZ one?
Has anyone had to return to the UK after having an expired UK licence and had to retake their test?? This is what I'm worried about - is there a set amount of time that we can not renew the UK licence for before they decide you have to retake your test?
Any advice from people who've been through the process or know anything helpful would be much appreciated!
Thanks,
Sarah
We've been in Auckland a few months now and are unsure how long we'll be staying in NZ. It looks like it'll be until at least next Christmas (2011). My partner and my own UK drivers licences need renewing as the photocards are at their 10 year expiry date, but should we just get NZ ones? I understand NZ authorities then take your UK one off you. If we want to return to the UK, I assume we can get the UK one back somehow? Or should we just renew the UK licences and not get a NZ one?
Has anyone had to return to the UK after having an expired UK licence and had to retake their test?? This is what I'm worried about - is there a set amount of time that we can not renew the UK licence for before they decide you have to retake your test?
Any advice from people who've been through the process or know anything helpful would be much appreciated!
Thanks,
Sarah
I am in Auckland and have my NZ driving licence. At no time does anyone try and take your UK licence off you. Its of no use to anyone but yourselves.
As to whether you renew it, if its not to much hassle I would renew it now.
Carole
Dec 15th 2010, 1:08 am
#3
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2009
Location: Christchurch
Posts: 2,077
Re: UK Drivers licences need renewing - should we just get NZ ones or renew UK ones??
u will need a UK addy to renew them, as for NZ ones it,s really easy just go into an AA office with some ID take an eye test and u are done, they do not take ur UK licence of you
Neil
Neil
Dec 15th 2010, 6:00 pm
#4
Joined: May 2009
Location: Welly UK to Welly NZ to Welly UK
Posts: 2,227
Re: UK Drivers licences need renewing - should we just get NZ ones or renew UK ones??
I would do both! There have been some reports of people re-applying for their UK license to find that some of the original categories have been left off the new license.... if you have family in UK use their address
Dec 15th 2010, 7:24 pm
#5
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 17
Re: UK Drivers licences need renewing - should we just get NZ ones or renew UK ones??
Thanks for your advice everyone. I think we'll just go ahead and renew both. It sounds so easy to do the NZ one, I'll try and get it done this afternoon! Do you have to take a passport photo with you?
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
Dec 15th 2010, 7:34 pm
#6
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Waimauku, near Auckand, NZ
Posts: 133
Re: UK Drivers licences need renewing - should we just get NZ ones or renew UK ones??
You'll need two forms of ID plus proof of address. Check the NZTA website for full details http://www.nzta.govt.nz/licence/resi...riving-nz.html
If you can scan and print copies otherwise the AA will charge you a dollar!
If you can scan and print copies otherwise the AA will charge you a dollar!
Last edited by rogercruse; Dec 15th 2010 at 7:36 pm.
Dec 15th 2010, 7:56 pm
#7
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2009
Location: Christchurch
Posts: 2,077
Re: UK Drivers licences need renewing - should we just get NZ ones or renew UK ones??
u dont need a photo they take it there
Dec 16th 2010, 2:45 am
#8
Happy in Wellington
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Tawa, Wellington, Aotearoa
Posts: 2,286
Re: UK Drivers licences need renewing - should we just get NZ ones or renew UK ones??
If you're here over 12 months you have to get an NZ one. UK one is only valid in NZ for a year.
Dec 17th 2010, 7:12 pm
#9
HAPPY AS...
Joined: May 2006
Location: Taupo
Posts: 1,068
Re: UK Drivers licences need renewing - should we just get NZ ones or renew UK ones??
I had a quite aggresive letter from DVLA threatenening me with fines if I didn't renew mine. Didn't bother.
When I went to UK to visit poorly Mum, rented a car with kiwi licence, no hassles.
When I went to UK to visit poorly Mum, rented a car with kiwi licence, no hassles.
Dec 20th 2010, 2:57 am
#10
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Somewhere in Auckland
Posts: 184
Re: UK Drivers licences need renewing - should we just get NZ ones or renew UK ones??
If you are in NZ for more than 1 year, you will need a NZ one as you are only allowed to drive on your UK license for up to one year.
A word of warning however. If you have both a NZ license and a UK one, and have been in NZ for less than 1 year, and are stopped by the police, you are legally required to hand over your NZ license. You can't hand over your UK license in an attempt to avoid points or whatnot, as if they realize you hold a valid NZ license as well, they'll fine you or something.
That is what I have heard anyway.
A word of warning however. If you have both a NZ license and a UK one, and have been in NZ for less than 1 year, and are stopped by the police, you are legally required to hand over your NZ license. You can't hand over your UK license in an attempt to avoid points or whatnot, as if they realize you hold a valid NZ license as well, they'll fine you or something.
That is what I have heard anyway.
