SENIORS----Driver licence renewals
Renew at age 75, 80 and every 2 years after that
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Your licence will expire on your 75th birthday, on your 80th birthday, and every second birthday after that.
You must renew your driver licence on or before its expiry date if you want to keep driving.
How to renew your licence
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You can renew your driver licence up to 6 months before it expires.
We’ll send you a reminder and an application form about 8 weeks before your licence is due to expire, but you can renew earlier if you wish.
You'll need to make an appointment with your doctor to get a medical certificate. You may also need to see a specialist or take a test, so allow plenty of time.
Once you've got your medical certificate, you'll need to visit a driver licensing agent in person.
Find your nearest driver licensing agent
What you need to take
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A medical certificate issued within the last 60 days – see below for more information.
Your current photo driver licence or other acceptable evidence of your identity.
See the Identification page for more information
EFTPOS, credit card or cash to pay the renewal fee of $21.50.
You'll need to complete an application form (DL1). You can download the form and take it with you, or fill one in when you get to the agent.
Download the application form to renew your driver licence (DL1) [PDF, 202 KB]
When your renewal is complete, the agent will give you a temporary licence which is valid for 21 days. Keep this on you whenever you’re driving until your new driver licence arrives in the mail – within 2 to 3 weeks.
Getting a medical check
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You need to get a medical check to renew your licence, so make an appointment with your doctor.
The doctor will give you the medical certificate you'll need to renew your driver licence. The certificate is valid for 60 days, so make sure you take it to a driver licensing agent before the 60 days runs out.
Your doctor will give you one of the following results:
Medically fit to drive
You're able to drive safely in all conditions.
Your doctor will give you a medical certificate to take with you to renew your licence.
Medically fit to drive with conditions
You're able to drive safely, but only if you do, or don't do, specific things. For example, you might need to wear glasses or not drive at night.
Your doctor will give you a medical certificate with the conditions on it. Take this with you to renew your licence.
Medically fit to drive if a specialist agrees
You need to see a specialist for more testing. Your doctor will tell you what kind of specialist. It could be an optometrist to test your eyes, or an occupational therapist to check you can safely cope with complex driving situations.
If you pass, you're able to drive safely and can renew your licence. The specialist will give you a medical certificate to take with you to renew your licence.
Medically fit to drive if you pass an on-road safety test
Your doctor may ask you to do a driving test in a car with a testing officer.
The doctor will give you a medical certificate with a requirement to sit an on-road safety test. Take the certificate with you to a driver licensing agent, and they'll start your renewal application and book the test.
The test is included in your renewal fee. There's no fee to change, cancel or rebook the test. You can sit the test more than once if you need to with no extra fees.
If you live in an area that doesn't have testing officers, you'll need to request an on-demand test. Check our agent list to see if you need to do this in your area. You'll need to apply to renew your licence and present your medical certificate at the agent first. It can take up to 3 months to get a test booking, so make sure you do this early.
Find your nearest driver licensing agent
Prepare for the on-road safety test
If you pass the test, you're able to drive safely. The testing officer will give you a temporary driver licence to use until your photo driver licence arrives in the mail.
Not fit to drive
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You're not able to keep yourself and others safe when driving. It's no longer safe or legal for you to drive, and you must stop driving immediately. Your doctor will let NZTA know, and you won't be able to renew your licence.
Not being able to renew your licence can be upsetting. Take some time to process this news. There are many options for people who don't drive.
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Today’s Mind-Bender is the Last of the Year! Can You Guess It Before Everyone Else? 🌟🎁🌲
I dance in the sky with green and gold, a spectacle few are lucky to behold; I’m best seen in the south, a celestial sight—what am I, lighting up the New Zealand night?
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!
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Poll: Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?
🎁 Holiday Gift Chat!
Do you ever regift?
What’s your take on asking for a receipt if a gift doesn’t fit?
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78.7% Yes! It's better to regift what I don't need
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21.3% No. It's the thought and effort that matters
Charities turning away high numbers of volunteer applications
Charities are turning away people wanting to volunteer amidst a flood of interest they say is linked to the high rate of unemployment.
It comes as some businesses receive thousands of applications for paid roles and people look for experience anywhere they can.
The advocacy organisation Volunteering NZ has been tracking the trend. Spokesperson Margaret McLachlan said there has been a considerable rise in applications for volunteer roles across a range of charities.
Many application forms asks people to divulge if they are job hunters.
"Over the last year or so, they are seeing more people coming in who are saying they are in that category. They are looking for work but doing volunteering while that process is taking place."
"As unemployment increases and the cost of living, times are tougher for everybody."
At the same time, she said community organisations supporting social services were busier and needed more helpers.
McLachlan said depending on the organisation, they might want to do a police check, a reference check and an interview.
"In some cases it can be a process to go through and not always, and that can take some time.
"It's actually the same barriers that a person might find in finding a job, can also apply to volunteering. It's not always a easy option."
SPCA had 120 op shops and animal rescue centres across the country in which volunteers worked.
General manager of retail Cathy Crichton said they received about 1300 extra applications for volunteer roles, a 32 percent increase, from June to November 2025, compared to 2024.
"There's definitely a nudge forward which is very exciting and we're very grateful."
But it meant they were not accepting any more volunteers in some areas.
"Because the applications are up it's a unique scenario. But at this point in time, in smaller locations, we've actually got a hold in 19 locations in New Zealand where we are at capacity - and that's very rare and it's a very new trend."
Crichton said anyone seeking volunteer work should think creatively about what skills they can offer - it could be in administration or marketing.
"We'd love to welcome as many people as we could because the more hands on deck the more we can do and the more we can contribute to the community."
She said people were self-motivated to apply for volunteer work.
The unemployment rate rose to 5.3 percent in the September quarter, meaning 160,000 people were jobless. The next quarterly figures are out in February.
"There's a willingness to give back and contribute to the community. Unemployment being high really does encourage people to engage with the workforce and get experience," Crichton said.
"It really is about staying connected with the community and meeting others."
She said they had also seen an increase in young people seeking volunteer work experience.
"It's a great opportunity to get work experience and a reference and there's an appeal there as an employer...I really do think it adds value to a CV."
Stats NZ data showed over half of New Zealanders, 53 percent, volunteered during March 2025 and of those, 27.6 percent volunteered through an organisation and 40.8 percent volunteered directly for another person.
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