Motorcycle Licenses for Visitors to New Zealand
Travel Info > Traveling Basics > “Motorcycle Licenses for Visitors in New Zealand.”
Please note, that while we do our best to ensure this information is accurate, travelers should conduct their own research, beyond the scope of this article. This article was last updated on 23rd February 2024 and may no longer be relevant or accurate.
New Zealand is a beautiful country with many scenic roads and trails that are perfect for motorcycle enthusiasts. If you are planning to visit New Zealand and ride a motorcycle, you might be wondering what kind of license you need and how to get it. In this blog post, we will answer some of the most common questions about motorcycle licenses for visitors in New Zealand.
Do I need a New Zealand motorcycle license?
The answer depends on how long you are staying and what kind of license you have from your home country. According to the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, you can legally drive in New Zealand for up to 12 months if you have either a current driver’s license from your home country or an International Driving Permit (IDP) with the right vehicle endorsements. After 12 months, you are required to convert to a New Zealand license. This applies to each visit to New Zealand.
However, not all foreign licenses are equal. If you have a full overseas motorcycle license (equivalent to a New Zealand class 6) you can ride any size motorcycle. If you have a learner, restricted or provisional motorcycle license, you can only ride specific motorcycles approved under the Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAMS). You can check the list of LAMS approved and prohibited motorcycles on the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency website.
Licenses from Europe, America or Australia?
If you have a motorcycle-endorsed license from Europe, America or Australia, you can use it to ride a motorcycle in New Zealand for up to 12 months, as long as it is valid and in English. If it is not in English, you will normally need to get an IDP or an official translation. You also need to follow the same rules as New Zealand license holders regarding the type and size of motorcycle you can ride.
For Europe, there are three motorcycle license categories: A1, A2 and A. “A” translates into a Full New Zealand motorcycle licence, while A1 & A2 are restricted to LAMs bikes.
For America, M or M1 allows you to ride full-sized motorcycles in New Zealand while M2 only allows restricted (LAMs) motorcycles.
For our Aussie friends from over the ditch, you need to hold an R-class license. Learners, P1 and P2 licenses restrict you to LAMs bikes in New Zealand, while a full license has no restrictions.
It is important to check the equivalence and the validity of your license before you ride a motorcycle in New Zealand. You can contact the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, you can get your license translated, or apply for an international driving permit to confirm its equivance in New Zealand.
Licence sorted?
How do I get a New Zealand motorcycle license?
If you want to get a New Zealand motorcycle license, you need to pass through the 3 stages of the driver licensing system: learner, restricted and full. You need to complete the requirements of each stage before you can move to the next. You must pass a basic handling skills test and then a theory test before you can start the learner stage. You can find more details about the process and the fees on the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency website.
Alternatively, you can choose to have your riding skills assessed by an approved competency-based training and assessment (CBTA) assessor instead of taking the practical tests at the restricted and full stages. This option can reduce the time it takes you to get your restricted and full motorcycle license. You can also benefit from professional training that will prepare you for the assessment and improve your riding skills. You can learn more about CBTA on the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency website.
Generally, we would recommend that you get your licence in your home country first and get some riding experience in a country you are comfortable in first. Then later on after getting some experience, look to bring that license overseas for an unforgettable tour of New Zealand.
Summing up…
Riding a motorcycle in New Zealand can be a fun and exciting way to explore the country. However, you need to make sure that you have the right license. We hope that this blog post has helped you understand the basics of motorcycle licenses for visitors in New Zealand.
Now that your licence is sorted, contact us to arrange your rental bike! 🏍️
