You can apply online or in person at an AA Driver Licensing outlet.
$49.50 + delivery
Delivery to Auckland addresses within 3 working days
$39.50 + passport photo charge, if needed
An IDP is a document that allows you to drive overseas. It is recognised and recommended in many countries. However, it is not a driver licence in its own right. You must also carry your current NZ driver licence with you when you travel. Together, both documents allow you to drive legally in most countries.
An IDP can only be issued to a full licence holder over 18 years of age. It is not available for commercial use.
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
Denmark, Dijibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt (2), El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Eswatini, Fiji, Finland, France & French Overseas Depts., French Polynesia
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
Jamaica (1), Japan, Jersey, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati (2), Korea (Rep.), Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho (2), Liberia, Libya, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg
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)
Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines (2), Poland, Portugal (inc Madeira & the Azores)(2), Qatar (2), Russia, Romania (2), Rwanda
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
Vatican City, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe
(1) For private vehicles only
(2) Certain conditions or time restrictions apply
(3) Only if country of residence does not issue 1968 IDPs
(4) Cambodia IDP use: If you are planning to travel to Cambodia be aware that an IDP should be enough as Cambodia is also one of the countries that signed the 1949 IDP Convention. However, it's only recently that Cambodian government has announced the official issue of IDP, so it has not been widely used within the country yet. Cambodia Automobile Association would recommend applying for a Cambodian license for foreigners if they are planning to drive or stay in Cambodia for a long period of time.
Anguilla, Antigua, Cambodia, Cayman Islands, China, Cook Islands*, Myanmar, Niue, Samoa, Tonga, Vietnam and Windward Islands.
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.
Vietnam: Change to requirements for driving with a 1949 IDP in Vietnam – IDP 1949 is not recognized in Vietnam. Planning to drive in Vietnam? Check MFAT's travel advice before you go.
We can help with that. You'll need:
All driver licence details must be legible for the application to be successful, as all details need to be verified before we can process the application.
For Auckland addresses: You'll receive your IDP within 3 working days, please allow an additional 1-2 days for rural deliveries.
For rest of NZ addresses: You'll receive your IDP within 3-5 working days, please allow an additional 1-2 days for rural deliveries.
For overseas addresses: Delivery times will vary depending on delivery method selected.
Please note 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.
You will need:
Your application will be processed at the counter and your IDP will be issued and given to you. The application form is available to download here or at AA Centres and AA Licensing Agents.
The AA is only authorised to issue IDPs for NZ driver licence holders. You must be 18 and hold a full licence class. 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.
From 1 May 2026, due to changes in the Privacy Act 2020, NZAA can no longer accept a third-party IDP application over the counter.
No. You must be 18 years old and hold a full New Zealand driver licence.
No. Only NZ driver licence holders can apply for an IDP in NZ. If you hold an overseas drivers licence you must apply for a permit in the country that issued your licence. FIA – International Driving Permit
We recommend renewing your licence before you start your IDP application. When your NZ driver licence expires, your IDP will also expire too. It's a good idea to renew it before you leave New Zealand.
You cannot renew your NZ driver licence while abroad, so it's best to plan ahead and ensure your licence is up to date before you travel.
Online applications to an Auckland standard address will be delivered within 3 working days. Rest of New Zealand standard address will be delivered within 3-5 working days. Alternatively, if you require an IDP on the same day, please visit an AA Driver Licensing outlet where they can issue one on the spot, provided you have all the required documents. A full location list can be found here.
AA offers two methods to have your IDP sent to an overseas address: air mail or tracked courier for most countries.
Delivery time and fees differ and will be calculated during the online application when you select the delivery address.
AA recommends having your document sent via a tracked method to ensure safe delivery.
Please note that 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.
You can take a photo of yourself using a smartphone. Make sure the photo is clear, without shadows and a true likeness of yourself which includes your head/shoulders against a plain background. Please make sure you are front facing and looking at the camera.
Please note the image should not include the following:
All IDP issued by the AA have translations in Spanish, Russian, Chinese, German, Italian, Japanese and French.
No. The IDP is a legal document, much like a passport. We process applications and produce a physical document due to both contractual and security reasons. This document must be held on your person along with your NZ driver's license for it to be considered legal and valid.
A IDP is valid for 12 months from the date of issue or until the expiry date of your NZ driver licence, whichever comes first. An IDP cannot be used permanently in another country.
No, you must reapply for a new IDP, either online or through your nearest AA Driver Licensing outlet and they can issue one on the spot.
You must obtain a new IDP online or through your nearest AA Driver Licensing outlet and they can issue one on the spot.
No. An IDP is for travelling/holiday purposes only. If you start work abroad, you need to contact the local licensing authority about a driver licence.
To drive legally in Japan, you must hold either a valid International Driving Permit accompanied by your New Zealand driver licence, or a Japanese driver licence. You cannot drive legally in Japan with a New Zealand driver licence on its own, regardless of whether it is accompanied by a Japanese translation or not. If you're planning to drive in Japan, be sure to check the latest travel advice from New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) before you go.
Although it is generally acceptable to ride a moped on a car licence in NZ, we recommend contacting the local rental company you are using, your insurance provider and / or the local driver licensing authority to see if the IDP, along with your New Zealand licence, is sufficient to ride a moped.
We recommend contacting the local driver licensing authority or rental company, as they have the most up-to-date information.
NZAA Issue the 1949 IDP. The 1949 IDP is not recognised in Vietnam. Check out MFAT advice for more details.
As New Zealand is part of the 1949 Convention, AA is only authorised to issue the IDP following the 1949 Convention on Road Traffic International Driving Permit which is valid in over 150 countries.
My IDP arrived yesterday. Thank you so much for your help. Great service and very much appreciated.
The customer service I received was beyond anything I expected. When my IDP package was lost in transit, the AA team responded immediately, kept me updated throughout the process, and quickly arranged a replacement. I really appreciated the support and communication.
The support I received was incredibly helpful, efficient, and kind. The AA team went above and beyond to assist me, and I truly couldn't have sorted everything without their help.
For any further enquiries regarding IDP please email us at: internationalmotoring@aa.co.nz
