GOODBYE NZ TOURISM...

German Tourists intending to revisit NZ are going elsewhere this year.  They will book over the summer season in Australia.  A threat to have no right to drive and to risk invalid insurance is wrecking previous good experiences in NZ.

Unclear licensing rules leave a substantial possibility that their International Licence will not be valid in NZ if their first visit here was over a year ago.

This applies to Tourists from other countries too

A regular visitor to NZ, wrote to “"Our Farm-Park" farmstay hosts explaining why they could  not confirm another booking this year. [Below right.]

Craig Hill's email (below) appears to advise ignoring the current lack of clarity and driving on the International licence up to 12 months from when each current visit begins. But for the non-aggressive tourist this is not sufficient.

With the world shrunk by email and Internet, NZ tourism will suffer.  Directly as in the case of the Farmstay hosts quoted.  This information will be read by thousands of German potential visitors as “unfriendly” and totally in opposition to a key critical Tourism attraction.

Slack bureaucracy with out due editing process of legal documentation -- yet again.

-- P E Rodgers, Managing Editor  CLICK HERE IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO COME TO NZ

Emails forwarded from the German public Forum read:
4 February 2005 from Craig Hill:

   Thank you for your various emails seeking further clarifications on driving in New Zealand on an International Driving Permit or German driver licence.
   I can confirm that the information given to you in previous correspondence is correct in terms of the provision in the Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Rule 1999 to allow a person, on arrival in New Zealand, to drive on an overseas driver licence.
   The Rule says a valid overseas driver licence can be used for driving in New Zealand for a period of 12 months; beginning on the date the person first arrived in New Zealand.
   I very much regret the distress and confusion that the interpretation of the wording in the Rule has caused you. The wording first arrived could be interpreted as referring to either:
    1. 12 months from the date the person first ever arrived in New Zealand; or
    2. 12 months from the date the person first arrived in New Zealand for a particular visit.

   The first interpretation has generally been adopted. This interpretation has however posed a number of difficulties in that it would unnecessarily impose compliance costs on those (such as yourself) who have made previous or multiple trips to New Zealand over a number of years; they would need to convert to a New Zealand licence before they are allowed to drive.
   As you suggested, this is also fraught with many logistical problems and inconvenience. Also, this interpretation is not in line with the intention of the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic 1949 which is for contracting states (of which New Zealand is one) to allow drivers from other contracting states to drive in their territory using their overseas driver licence for a continuous period of one year. This means that the overseas driver licence holder can drive in another contracting state’s territory for multiple periods, provided any one stay does not exceed a continuous period of one year.
   Since the wording in the Rule can be interpreted differently to what the Convention originally intended, and has potentially negative effects on overseas visitors, it is recommended that the wording in the Rule be clarified so that a valid and current overseas driver licence is able to be used in New Zealand for multiple periods of less than 12 months.
   Due to the legislative process that must be followed, and allowing for implementation, any changes to the Rule are not likely to be in force till the end of this year.
   In light of the recommended change to the wording in the Rule, I would not recommend you convert to a New Zealand driver licence on your arrival. [Convoluted - Ed.]

   Until the law is changed, however, you should be aware that there may be a possibility that you could be ticketed by the police for driving on your overseas driver licence for using it more than 12 months after you first arrived in New Zealand. However, unless involved in a crash [When the question of insurance would be the key issue!  - Ed.] or traffic offence [Just over the speed limit - Ed.],  the risk of an overseas driver being caught and issued a ticket for having exceeded the 12 months is remote.
   I hope the above explanation helps to allay your fears and concerns. I wish you a safe and enjoyable trip in New Zealand.
   Yours sincerely
   Craig Hill
   General Manager Policy – Safety

PREVIOUS CORESPONDENCE read…

Lee Farrell [Lee.Farrell@landtransport.govt.nz] - Fr 04.02.2005 00:14

Good afternoon Thank you for your reply.

As you are aware, the current legislation came into effect in May 1999. This date allows us to determine when a visitor is required to convert their overseas licence if they have previously visited the country.

If a visitor had entered the country before May 1999, they can use their overseas licence for 12 months from the date they return to the country after May 1999 and would be required to convert to a domestic licence after the 12 month period has lapsed. I can confirm that they can not legally drive on their overseas licence whenever they visit NZ.

In your situation, you first entered NZ in 1958. The current legislation came into effect in May 1999. You visited NZ again in 2002 therefore your 12 month period began in 2002. As you are aware, if a person visits NZ for a short stay, and returns some time later, the time they are out of NZ is included in the 12 month period.

I have sent your concerns about the rental companies not advising their customer's about the legalities of driving in NZ to the appropriate department to investigate. Your idea of issuing a 'Driving Safely in New Zealand' flyer has also been sent to the appropriate department to look into.

I hope this has clarified the situation for you.

Regards

Lee Farrell
Senior Customer Service Representative
Transport Registry Centre
Land Transport NZ

Telephone: 04 931 8700
Fax: 04 931 8701
www.landtransport.govt.nz

http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/consultation/overseas-drivers/proposal-4.html

Proposal 4: To clarify that a current overseas driver licence is valid for use in New Zealand for multiple periods of less than 12 months.

"Implementation of this proposal would ensure that New Zealand's legislation is consistent with the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic 1949 and therefore remove the ambiguity of the current wording."

"(...) You can drive using a current overseas driver licence or international driving permit for a maximum of one year from the date you first arrived in New Zealand.

(You can only drive the types of vehicle covered by your overseas driver licence or international driving permit.)

(...) If you are using an overseas licence or an international driving permit, you must convert it to a New Zealand driver licence before one year has passed. (...)"

"(...) If you do not apply for a New Zealand driver licence within one year of arriving, you'll be considered an unlicensed driver, and you must not drive. You could be charged by the Police if you are caught driving, and you may not be able to get car insurance.

If you are unlicensed, are told by the Police not to drive and are then caught driving by them, the vehicle you are driving will be seized at the roadside and impounded for 28 days. (...)"

Source: http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/factsheets/56.html

………………………..

LTSA:

Good afternoon I have received your email in regards to driving in New Zealand with an overseas driver licence.

If a visitor has a current overseas licence or International Driving Permit (IDP), they are entitled to drive in NZ for up to 12 months before being required to convert their licence to a NZ licence. If a person visits NZ for a short stay, and returns some time later, the time they are out of NZ is included in that 12 month period.

Based on this, if the person in question first entered NZ 3 years ago, they will now be required to convert their overseas licence if they intend on driving while here in NZ.

I have attached a website link to a Land Transport New Zealand fact sheet that provides additional information about driving in NZ and converting your overseas licence to a NZ licence.
http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/factsheets/56.html

Should your friend wish to convert their overseas driver licence to a NZ driver licence they can book the necessary tests by visiting any driver licensing agent.

Please see the Land Transport New Zealand website that shows the location of driver licensing agents in NZ.

http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/licensing/getting-licence/where.html

I hope this is helpful. If you require any further clarification, please feel free to contact us and we will be pleased to help.

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