When you need to renew
From age 75, you need to renew your driver licence more often. This includes a medical check each time.
You’ll usually receive reminders from New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) Waka Kotahi at:
- Age 74½
- Age 79½
- Every two years after that
These reminders help you start the renewal process in time. It’s important to update your contact details with NZTA Waka Kotahi, so they can contact you.
You can also complete a short online self-assessment through NZTA Waka Kotahi. This takes about 15 minutes and is for your own information. Your answers and results are not collected. The information provided is for the users’ information only and NZTA Waka Kotahi do not collect personal answers or final scores.
Medical assessment process
As part of renewing your licence, you’ll need to see your doctor once you are older than 74.
It’s a good idea to book this early. Appointment wait times can vary, and you may need extra time if follow-up care is required, such as getting new glasses or further checks.
After your assessment, your doctor will advise if you are either:
- Medically fit to drive
- Medically fit to drive with conditions, for example, requirements such as wearing glasses or avoiding night driving.
- Medically fit to drive subject to a specialist’s approval
- Medically fit to drive subject to passing an on-road safety driving test
If you’re medically fit to drive, you can complete your renewal through a driver licensing agent, like AA or VTNZ. The medical certificate is only valid for 30 days, so we recommend completing the process straight away.
Moving to life without a car
In some cases, a doctor may advise that it is no longer safe or legal to continue driving. This can be difficult news to receive, and time may be needed to adjust.
Some people choose to make gradual changes to their driving over time, such as changing when or where they drive, or reducing how often drive, as a way of maintaining confidence and safety.
Reducing or stopping driving does not need to be a limiting factor in maintaining an active and connected lifestyle.
Planning ahead for your future transport needs can help support your independence and wellbeing. There are many different ways to get around to support ongoing participation in community life, including:
- Public transport
- Community transport services
- Paid transport services, for example, Driving Miss Daisy and similar providers.
Some people also choose to use the money they would spend on owning a car to support these options.
We offer a helpful resource, Life without a Car, which provides practical guidance tailored to older people in Aotearoa New Zealand. It covers transport options and highlights ways to stay connected, including considerations around where you live, how to access services, and rethinking how to get to social engagements. You can download this below, or get a copy from your local Age Concern or Driving Miss Daisy.
Refreshing driving knowledge
If you wish to continue driving, Age Concern also offers the Staying Safe driver refresher courses, delivered in partnership with NZTA Waka Kotahi. These classroom-based courses provide up-to-date information on road rules, support safe driving practices, and help build confidence behind the wheel.
It was so good to refresh the road code and rules especially roundabouts where so many people do not indicate.
