The International Driving Permit (IDP) is a document which allow you to drive overseas. The AA is the only place where you can apply for an IDP for a New Zealand driver licence.
Pricing: $49.50 plus delivery
Pricing: $39.50 plus passport photo charge if required
The need for an IDP varies between countries but it's recognised and recommended in many, especially where English is not widely spoken because it provides translations into many languages: English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, German, Italian, Japanese and French. New Zealand is part of the 1949 Convention and only issues the 1949 Convention on Road Traffic International Driving Permit.
However, it's not a driver licence in its own right. You must also carry your current New Zealand's driver licence with you when you travel. Together both documents allow you to drive legally in most other countries.
An IDP can only be issued to a full licence holder over 18 years of age. It is not available for commercial use. You must also carry your current plastic New Zealand driver licence and International Driving Permit together when you travel.
All New Zealand Driver Licence details must be legible for application to be successful as ID of applicant must be verified before we can process and produce IDP.
You can apply online or at an AA Centre or AA Licensing Agent. Online applications require:
Applications at AA Centres and AA Licensing Agents require:
Your application will be processed at the counter and your IDP will be given to you. The application form is available online or at AA Centres and AA Licensing Agents.
After your online application has been processed, your IDP will be delivered via the option you selected.
For New Zealand addresses, you'll receive your IDP within four to six working days. For overseas addresses, you'll receive your IDP within 21 working days, though this may vary depending on the delivery method you choose.
The AA accepts no liability for any correctly addressed document once it has been delivered to a postal or courier service for onward delivery. In the event that the document is lost, a new application and processing fee will be required.
Delayed delivery -
IDP are valid for one year from date of issue. However this period may be shorter in some countries.
IMPORTANT: Please make sure to check with the local driver licence authority of your destination for the most up-to-date information about IDP requirements and restrictions before going applying for an IDP.
| Letter | Country |
|---|---|
| A - C | Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain (1), Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan (2), Bolivia (1), Bosnia & Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei (2), Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia (4), Cameroon, Canada (1,2), Cape Verde Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Congo Dem Rep., Costa Rica (2), Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Curacao, Cyprus, Czech Republic |
| D - F | Denmark, Dijibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt (2), El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Eswatini, Fiji, Finland, France & French Overseas Depts., French Polynesia |
| G - I | Gabon, Gambia (2), Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Guatemala, Guernsey, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy |
| J - L | Jamaica (1), Japan, Jersey, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati (2), Korea (Rep.), Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho (2), Liberia, Libya, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg |
| M - O | Macao (2), Macedonia (FYROM), Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal (2), Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Nicaragua (1,2), Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman (2) |
| P - R | Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines (2), Poland, Portugal (inc Madeira & the Azores)(2), Qatar (2), Russia, Romania (2), Rwanda |
| S - U | San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia (3), South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, St Kitts & Nevis, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan (2), Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay |
| V - W | Vatican City, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe |
Anguilla, Antigua, Cambodia, Cayman Islands, China, Myanmar, Niue, Samoa, Tonga, Vietnam and Windward Islands do not accept IDPs or current New Zealand driving licences. However a Visitor's Driving Licence can be obtained after arrival. You will be required to provide a current New Zealand driving licence to the authorities and pay a Visitor's Driving Licence fee.
The Cook Islands do not accept IDPs, however visitors from certain countries can use their local licence. Certain conditions or time restrictions apply.
The AA is only authorised to issue International Driving Permits for New Zealand driver licence holders. If you hold an overseas licence and are looking to obtain an IDP, please check the FIA – International Driving Permit website to find out which authority issues the IDP for your licence.
