Licence requirements for renting a campervan in New Zealand

If you’re renting a campervan in New Zealand, in most cases, you won’t need to present a special type of licence to rent a campervan — you’ll only be asked to present your standard driver’s licence. Keep in mind that your driver licence will need to be full and valid, meaning your licence can’t be expired, probationary, a learners permit, or a provisional licence. If you’re unsure as to whether your licence will be accepted, you should contact your prospective campervan provider prior to booking.

Can I drive in New Zealand with my international licence?

You are permitted to drive in New Zealand without holding a New Zealand driver’s licence for a maximum period of 18 months subject to the following conditions:

For renters who have a licence in a language other than English, there may also be a need to provide an International Driving Permit, which serves as a translation. This requires the official document — copies are not be accepted.

What about campervans?

All but the largest campervans can be driven on a regular driver’s licence suitable for driving a regular car. So if you have a licence (subject to the above conditions), you should be ok.

Be aware of driving regulations in New Zealand

All drivers must know the road rules, what the road signs mean, how to drive safely, and you can find out more in a handy road rules PDF booklet produced by the NZ Transport Agency. If you’ve never driven a rental campervan before, it’s a good idea to have a bit of a practice drive in the campervan provider parking area to get used to the larger size of many campervans.

Remember to also have your licence with you

In New Zealand, it’s a legal requirement for drivers to always have their licence with them when driving a vehicle. This regulation includes extra paperwork that you may require such as a foreign licence and/or IDP. If you need it to drive legally, you need to have it with you.