Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has advised that a temporary extension period for overseas driver licence holders will take effect from Friday, 18 December.
Summerfruit NZ has worked closely with HortNZ and other sectors to develop options with NZTA, resulting from significant numbers of RSE workers who have been here over a year and were unable to drive after 12 months. This Amendment Rule enables workers to continue to drive legally without having to go through the NZ driver licensing process. Our thanks to NZTA for achieving this change.
NZTA has developed factsheets to assist in understanding the temporary extension period and the temporary changes to driving on an overseas licence while converting to a New Zealand licence. RSE employers are encouraged to share these factsheets with their overseas workers.
Please note that despite the rule change, anyone who sat the New Zealand driver licence theory test before 18 December 2020 and is waiting for a practical driving test, is NOT covered for the further period to drive on their non-New Zealand licence.
For more information on the Amendment Rule please visit the NZTA website here or Facebook page here.