Driving on Foreign License?

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Phexx

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Topic # 111776 14-Nov-2012 16:35

Hey,

My friend and I were talking and I thought that in order to drive on a foreign license you needed to have a full license.

Basically he thinks that if he gets his "instruction permit" he can drive here - abiding by those conditions. Is this correct. I can't find anything online to suggest otherwise.

Thanks

keewee01

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Reply # 717202 14-Nov-2012 16:42

Must have a current and valid* overseas driver licence or international driving permit

(*A current and valid overseas driver licence means that your licence allows you to legally drive in your own country.)

keewee01

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Reply # 717204 14-Nov-2012 16:44

With the instruction permit they'd not be able to drive on their own, and given it is not a full license I doubt it would be accepted in NZ as such. But I could be wrong.

Phexx

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Ultimate Geek
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Reply # 717214 14-Nov-2012 16:47

The main question is whether a full overseas license is required. An instruction permit clearly is not a full license, and the rules associated are different as well. For example, I don't believe they have to display L plates in Arizona.

keewee01

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Reply # 717222 14-Nov-2012 16:55

Given that Arizona call it a permit rather than a license I think you have your answer right there. There is no chance they'd be allowed to drive on that. I suspect they'd be told they have to sit the NZ drivers licensing.

I'm not even sure that their next step up (the graduated license) would be acceptable as an equivalent to a full license given the restrictions on it! i.e. a full license would be required - can't go short-cutting the system

Your friend is dreaming if he thinks the permit will be sufficient.

Phexx

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Ultimate Geek
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Reply # 717230 14-Nov-2012 16:59

keewee01: Given that Arizona call it a permit rather than a license I think you have your answer right there. There is no chance they'd be allowed to drive on that. I suspect they'd be told they have to sit the NZ drivers licensing.

I'm not even sure that their next step up (the graduated license) would be acceptable as an equivalent to a full license given the restrictions on it! i.e. a full license would be required - can't go short-cutting the system

Your friend is dreaming if he thinks the permit will be sufficient.

Yeah I figured that, I'm tempted to email the nzta to get some proof. Thanks for the help!

RunningMan

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Reply # 717237 14-Nov-2012 17:07

This is covered under the Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Rule 1999

Part 14

Recognition of overseas licences and licensing of drivers from overseas

88Recognition of overseas driver licence or permit

(1) A person, on arrival in New Zealand, is deemed to hold a New Zealand driver licence of a class that entitles the person to drive the motor vehicles that the person is entitled to drive under—

(a) a valid and current driver licence or permit issued overseas to the person, after the person has produced proof of the person's driving competence, by an overseas authority, or an agent of that authority, authorised to issue a driver licence or permit; or

(b) an international driving permit.

(2) However,—

(a) subclause (1)(a) does not apply unless—
- (i) the overseas driver licence or permit is written in English; or
- (ii) the person who holds the overseas driver licence or permit also carries an accurate English translation of the licence or permit:

(b) subclause (1)(b) does not apply unless the person who holds the international driving permit also carries the overseas driver licence on which the permit is based.

(3) A person who is deemed by subclause (1) to hold a New Zealand driver licence may continue to drive under that driver licence until the first of the following situations occurs:

(a) the person has remained in New Zealand for a continuous period of 12 months; or

(b) the document that enabled that person to be deemed to hold a New Zealand driver licence under subclause (1) expires, is suspended, or is revoked; or

(c) an order is made disqualifying the person from holding or obtaining a driver licence, either in New Zealand or in the jurisdiction that granted the overseas driver licence or permit; or

(d) the person obtains or renews a New Zealand driver licence.

(4) In this clause, international driving permit means a valid and current international driving permit as specified in Annex 10 of the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic signed at Geneva on 19 September 1949 or Annex 7 of the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic signed at Vienna on 8 November 1968 and issued overseas in accordance with the provisions of the appropriate convention.

1080p

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Reply # 717238 14-Nov-2012 17:10

A friend of mine spent eight years in NZ. He used a US learners 'permit' the entire time (not really sure what their equivalent is) and was never picked up for it. True story.

ajobbins

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Reply # 717250 14-Nov-2012 17:17

I recently asked the AA if I can ride a motorbike in NZ on my Victorian (AU) motorbike learners permit.

Their answer (surprisingly) was yes! Provided I comply with the conditions of the licence.

Twitter: ajobbins

Phexx

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Ultimate Geek
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Reply # 717253 14-Nov-2012 17:21

RunningMan: This is covered under the Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Rule 1999

Part 14

Recognition of overseas licences and licensing of drivers from overseas

88Recognition of overseas driver licence or permit

(1) A person, on arrival in New Zealand, is deemed to hold a New Zealand driver licence of a class that entitles the person to drive the motor vehicles that the person is entitled to drive under—
(a) a valid and current driver licence or permit issued overseas to the person, after the person has produced proof of the person's driving competence, by an overseas authority, or an agent of that authority, authorised to issue a driver licence or permit; or
(b) an international driving permit.
(2) However,—
(a) subclause (1)(a) does not apply unless—
(i) the overseas driver licence or permit is written in English; or
(ii) the person who holds the overseas driver licence or permit also carries an accurate English translation of the licence or permit:
(b) subclause (1)(b) does not apply unless the person who holds the international driving permit also carries the overseas driver licence on which the permit is based.
(3) A person who is deemed by subclause (1) to hold a New Zealand driver licence may continue to drive under that driver licence until the first of the following situations occurs:
(a) the person has remained in New Zealand for a continuous period of 12 months; or
(b) the document that enabled that person to be deemed to hold a New Zealand driver licence under subclause (1) expires, is suspended, or is revoked; or
(c) an order is made disqualifying the person from holding or obtaining a driver licence, either in New Zealand or in the jurisdiction that granted the overseas driver licence or permit; or
(d) the person obtains or renews a New Zealand driver licence.
(4) In this clause, international driving permit means a valid and current international driving permit as specified in Annex 10 of the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic signed at Geneva on 19 September 1949 or Annex 7 of the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic signed at Vienna on 8 November 1968 and issued overseas in accordance with the provisions of the appropriate convention.

Thanks for that. The issue I am having is whether a learning permit equates to a "current drivers license" . The reason I'm doubting this is because I know you cannot drive overseas unless you're on a full nz license.