If you’ve tried to get approved ID but can’t get any, you may still be able to apply for a driver licence using alternative ID.
If you have one of these forms of ID, you may be able to use it in place of legislated primary ID.
The document must be original. We can’t accept a scan or photocopy, even if it’s certified.
The names on the document must match all the names on your driver licence record.
If the document isn’t in English, you’ll also need to get a translation.
You may be able to use these alternative IDs to renew, replace, reinstate or requalify your licence.
You may be able to use a New Zealand or overseas passport that’s been expired up to 5 years.
The passport must have your:
It must be issued by the official passport authority in that country.
You may be able to use an overseas emergency travel document if the document is still current (not expired).
The emergency travel document must have your:
It must have a stamp or indication from the New Zealand Government to show it was accepted for entry into New Zealand.
It must be issued by the relevant government authority in that country.
You may be able to use an overseas birth certificate if it’s the equivalent of a full New Zealand birth certificate. This means it must have your:
You must also have a document from Immigration New Zealand that includes your full name and date of birth. This could be something like your visa or work permit, or confirmation of your date of entry into New Zealand issued by Immigration NZ.
Exception: if your birth certificate is from Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau you don't need a document from Immigration NZ.
You MUST have a legislated form of supporting ID to present to the agent with your alternative primary ID.
| Document type |
| Kiwi Access card or 18+ card |
| Community services card |
| SuperGold card |
| Veteran SuperGold card |
| New Zealand student photo ID card 1 3 |
| New Zealand employee photo ID card |
| New Zealand electoral roll record 3 |
| Inland Revenue number 3 |
| New Zealand-issued utility bill or bank statement2 3 |
| Overseas driver licence |
| Steps to freedom form |
|
All documents in this table must be current, except for a utility bill or bank statement (see below) |
|
1 To be acceptable for driver licensing purposes, your student ID or employee ID card should have your:
It must have your educational institution or employer’s logo or banner on it, or be on the institution’s or employer's letterhead. If it doesn’t meet all of these requirements, you won’t be able to use it as identification for a driver licence. |
|
2 This must show your first name (or initials) and last name, and the issuer (utility company or bank). It doesn’t need to show any transaction details. It can't be a mobile phone bill. It must have been issued within the last six months. |
|
3 You can show these documents to the agent in electronic format on your phone or mobile device. |
If neither ID document has a photo, you must also provide a refereed image.
Your referee must:
Your referee must provide their:
Your referee must write your full name on the back of the photo and sign and date it. The image must be a good likeness and of equal standard to the one required for a driver licence or passport application.
Note: a business that takes passport photos may supply a photo with a pre-printed label on the back.
Identity referee declaration form (DL26) [PDF, 61 KB]
Call us to see if you can get approval for one of the above documents.
If you're approved, we'll give you a reference number to take to the agent with your approved alternative ID.
You may be able to use an overseas marriage certificate to change the name on your New Zealand driver licence.
You'll still need to provide acceptable primary and supporting ID.
Call us to see if you can get approval to use an overseas marriage certificate to change your name.
If you're approved, we'll give you a reference number to take to the agent with your approved alternative name change document.
If you don't have any of the forms of ID above, but you have other forms of ID, you may be able to use them. You'll need to call us to discuss your circumstances and see what we may be able to accept.
Make sure you have all your forms of ID on you so we can ask you for details.
