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Land Transport Act 1998

Driver licensing

28: Photographic driver licence

You could also call this:

“Your driver licence must include a photo, personal details, and driving permissions”

Your driver licence must follow a specific format. It needs to have a photo of you, your name, and your signature. The licence will also show your date of birth and special numbers that make your licence unique. It will list the types of vehicles you can drive and any special permissions you have. The licence will show when it was first issued and when it will expire. If you want to be an organ donor, that information can be included too. The licence will also show any rules you need to follow when driving. You can ask to have your address on the licence if you want.

The licence can only have the information mentioned above. Nothing else can be added to it. These rules apply to all new licences issued after this law came into effect. This includes when you renew your licence, get a replacement, or convert an overseas licence to a New Zealand one.

If your licence was taken away and you get a new one, the issue date will be the date of the new licence. For learner and restricted licences, the original issue date will be shown unless you’re adding a new vehicle class to an existing licence.

The Agency that issues licences will keep your photo while your licence is valid. They might keep it even after your licence expires.

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This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM434559.

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"Your driver licence can be taken away if you break driving rules"

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28A: Transitional provisions for photographic driver licences, or

"Rules about using old driver licences and getting new ones"

Part 4 Driver licensing

28Photographic driver licence

  1. A driver licence must be in the prescribed form and must have on it—

  2. a photographic image of the holder; and
    1. the holder's name and signature; and
      1. the holder's date of birth; and
        1. unique identifiers to distinguish the licence and the holder from other driver licences and holders; and
          1. the classes to which the licence applies; and
            1. the endorsements issued to the holder; and
              1. the original date of issue of the licence; and
                1. the date on which the licence expires; and
                  1. organ donor information (if applicable); and
                    1. an indication of any condition the holder must comply with while driving a motor vehicle; and
                      1. such other features as may be specified in the rules for the purposes of verifying or protecting the integrity of the licence.

                        1. In addition, a driver licence may show the holder's address if the holder requests that those details be shown.

                        2. A driver licence may not have on it any photographic image, information, or features other than those referred to in subsection (1) or subsection (2).

                        3. This section applies to licences issued or renewed on or after the date this section comes into force, subject to subsections (4A), (4B), and (4C).

                        4. Without limiting subsection (4), subsection (1)(g) applies to all new driver licences, including—

                        5. renewal of a current driver licence; and
                          1. renewal of an expired driver licence, whether the holder—
                            1. was previously suspended or disqualified; or
                              1. failed to renew his or her driver licence on expiry; and
                              2. a replacement driver licence.

                                1. Despite subsections (1)(g) and (4),—

                                2. in the case of a driver licence that has been revoked, the new driver licence must show the date of issue of the new licence; and
                                  1. in the case of a person who applies to convert an overseas licence or permit to a New Zealand full driver licence, the licence must show the date of issue of that person's first New Zealand driver licence; and
                                    1. in the case of a learner licence or restricted licence issued under Part 4 of the Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Rule 1999, the original date of issue of the learner licence or restricted licence must be shown on that licence.

                                      1. Subsection (4B)(c) does not apply if the learner licence or the restricted licence adds a class to an existing licence.

                                      2. The Agency—

                                      3. must store the photographic image used for each licence until the licence expires; and
                                        1. may store the photographic image used for each licence after the licence has expired.

                                          Notes
                                          • Section 28(1)(g): amended, on , by section 14(1) of the Land Transport Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 77).
                                          • Section 28(4): amended, on , by section 14(2) of the Land Transport Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 77).
                                          • Section 28(4A): inserted, on , by section 14(3) of the Land Transport Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 77).
                                          • Section 28(4B): inserted, on , by section 14(3) of the Land Transport Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 77).
                                          • Section 28(4C): inserted, on , by section 14(3) of the Land Transport Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 77).
                                          • Section 28(5): replaced, on , by section 40 of the Enhancing Identity Verification and Border Processes Legislation Act 2017 (2017 No 42).
                                          • Section 28(5): amended, on , by section 35 of the Land Transport (NZTA) Legislation Amendment Act 2020 (2020 No 48).