Can't find your driver licence? Whether it's lost or stolen, you need to replace it as soon as possible. This will automatically cancel your old licence and reduce the opportunity for others to use it fraudulently. You can also apply to replace your licence at any time if it's damaged or you've changed your name.
By acting promptly to replace or renew your lost or stolen licence you'll reduce the opportunity for it to be used in identity crime.
Find your nearest driver licensing agent
Contact us to cancel your licence
Find out if you can apply for a replacement licence card online(external link)
You can apply to replace your licence at a driver licensing agent, or if you have a verified RealMe identity you may be able to apply online(external link).
To apply at an agent, you'll need to:
fill out an application form [PDF, 145 KB]
present evidence of your identity
pay the replacement licence fee of $26.30.
Your replacement licence will have the same expiry date as your previous licence. But if you prefer, you can apply to renew your licence for up to 10 years. The fee will depend on the licence.
Find out how to renew your licence
Note: if you want to apply for a replacement licence card because your five-year learner or restricted car or motorbike licence has been given an automatic extension, you can only do this at a driver licensing agent.
Find out more about changes to learner and restricted licence expiry dates
There are two good reasons to replace your lost or stolen licence as quickly as you can:
You need to carry your licence at all times when driving. If you're stopped by the NZ Police and can't produce your current driver licence, you can be fined.
Your licence contains a number of your personal details (including your name, date of birth, licence number, a copy of your signature and possibly your address). This is one reason why many organisations, including banks and finance companies, accept licences as identity documents. Because of this your lost or stolen licence could be used in identity fraud, such as obtaining finance in your name.
You'll need a RealMe verified identity to apply for a replacement licence card when you're overseas.
Apply for a replacement licence
If you later find your old licence, hand it in to any driver licensing agent or mail it to our Palmerston North Office. This ensures that it can't be used fraudulently.
Find your nearest driver licensing agent
Mailing address to send your licence to
If you choose to have your address printed on your licence, and you need to change the address or want to remove it, you may need to pay for a replacement licence.
The address printed on your card doesn't have to be your current address. As long as you let NZTA know that you've changed your address, then you're meeting your legal requirements.
If you do want your new address printed on your licence, or you want to remove the address, you can pay for a replacement licence. You could also wait until you next need to renew your licence or add a new class or endorsement, and change the address on your licence then.
Let NZTA know your address has changed(external link)
Tow truck drivers, taxi drivers and some other types of drivers such as dial-a-drivers, must display a photo driver identification (ID) card.
If you've lost your ID card you need to replace it immediately.
Visit a driver licensing agent and:
fill out an application form [PDF, 145 KB]
present evidence of your identity
pay the replacement ID card fee of $27.60.
If you later find your old ID card, hand it in to any driver licensing agent or mail it to our Palmerston North Office.
