If you’ve got a full motorcycle licence from overseas, the great news is that you may be able to convert your overseas motorcycle licence to a New Zealand one without starting from scratch.
Whether you’re a new resident, a recent migrant, or someone who’s made New Zealand home, the process is very manageable once you know the steps. The exact pathway depends on which country issued your licence and how long you’ve held it. We’ve broken it all down below:
According to NZTA Waka Kotahi, you can ride legally in New Zealand on a valid international motorcycle licence for up to 12 months from your last entry date. After that, you’ll need a New Zealand licence to keep riding.
The steps required to convert a foreign motorcycle licence in NZ hinge on one key factor: whether your home country is classified as ‘exempt’ or ‘non-exempt’ by NZTA.
If your licence is from an exempt country (such as Australia, the UK, USA, Canada, South Africa, Japan, and most European nations), and you’ve held a full licence for two or more years, you can generally convert to a New Zealand Class 6 motorcycle licence without sitting a practical riding test. You’ll still need to apply at a specialist overseas conversion site.
If your country isn’t on the exempt list, you’ll need to pass both a theory test and a practical riding test as part of the conversion process. This is where solid preparation—and the right training—makes a real difference.
Not sure which category applies to you? Check out the full list of exempt countries.
The New Zealand motorcycle licensing system follows a structured process, especially for riders converting from non-exempt countries. For those who are required to sit the practical full licence assessment, you can opt to sit the CBTA 6F Assessment with us here at OMT. The steps you will need to follow are:
The process to convert an overseas motorcycle licence in NZ can vary from country to country, so please check with either the AA, VTNZ, or NZTA to see what applies to you.
The CBTA (Competency-Based Training and Assessment) 6F Assessment is a practical riding assessment that can be used as an alternative to the standard practical riding test when converting an international motorcycle licence to a New Zealand Class 6 licence. OMT is registered to conduct this assessment.
No—an International Driving Permit (IDP) cannot be used as the sole basis to convert a foreign motorcycle licence to NZ. You must present your original physical overseas licence when applying at a specialist overseas conversion site.
Fees vary depending on your situation. For non-exempt countries, you’ll typically pay an overseas conversion application fee, plus separate theory and practical test fees set up by NZTA.
For OMT training costs, visit our motorbike licence price page, and for NZTA Government fees, check the NZTA website directly.
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