You can drive in New Zealand on your overseas licence, and you can insure a campervan you own here. Both are easier than most visitors expect, but there are a few rules worth knowing before you buy.
The 12 month rule
You can drive in New Zealand for up to 12 months from the day you arrive, using your valid overseas licence. If your licence is in English, that is all you need.
If your licence is not in English, you must carry it together with an accurate English translation or an International Driving Permit (IDP). The permit or translation does not replace your licence, so keep both documents in the van.
You can only drive the types of vehicle your home licence allows. Every van in our yard drives on an ordinary car licence, so a standard licence from home is fine.
Always carry your licence when you drive. Police can ask to see it at any stop.
Staying longer than 12 months
After 12 months in New Zealand you must convert to a New Zealand licence. Depending on which country issued your licence, that can mean a simple application or theory and practical tests.
The rules are set by Waka Kotahi NZTA, the national transport agency, so check their website for your country before your first year is up.
Insurance is not compulsory, but get it
New Zealand law does not force you to insure your vehicle. Most drivers here still do, and we strongly recommend it.
Third party insurance is the minimum worth having. It pays for damage you cause to other people's vehicles and property. One small mistake next to an expensive car could otherwise cost you far more than your van did.
Comprehensive insurance also covers your own van, including theft and accident damage. If the van is your home for the next six months, everything you own is inside it. For most buyers on a long trip, comprehensive is money well spent.
Get quotes before you buy
Several New Zealand insurers will cover drivers on overseas licences. Acceptance and price vary from company to company, and often depend on your age, your licence country and how long you have held your licence.
So get quotes before you hand over money for any van, from us or anyone else. Most insurers give quotes online or over the phone in a few minutes, and you can use the registration plate of a van you are considering.
If you are still planning the purchase itself, our guide to buying a campervan in NZ as a visitor walks through the whole process step by step.
What insurers will ask you
- Your age, the country that issued your licence, and how long you have held it.
- Your driving and claims history.
- The van's make, model, year, registration plate and value.
- A New Zealand address. A hostel or campground address is commonly accepted.
- Where the van will usually be parked overnight.
- How long you plan to stay in New Zealand.
Answer honestly. If your details are wrong, the insurer can refuse a claim just when you need it.
ACC, and why injuries work differently here
New Zealand has a public scheme called ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation). It covers personal injury from accidents for everyone in the country, visitors included, no matter who was at fault. That is why vehicle insurance here is about damage to vehicles and property, not medical bills. It is a good system, but it does not fix your van or pay for the car you dented, so it is not a reason to skip insurance.
Before you set off
Driving here has a few habits of its own: keep left, and expect narrow, winding roads that take longer than the map suggests. Our post on driving in NZ for overseas visitors covers the road rules that catch people out.
We are happy to talk through licences and insurance in person. Have a read of what happens at a viewing before you come.
Come and see the vans
Our Auckland yard is open 7 days from 8am to 6pm, viewings by appointment. Ring or WhatsApp 020 444 3304, or send us a message. Wir sprechen Deutsch. Nous parlons français.