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World Driving Permit

Can I drive in New Zealand with a US license?

🇺🇸 United Statesの免許証 · 🇳🇿 New Zealand · 更新日 17 Jun 2026

直接の回答

Yes. As a visitor you can drive in New Zealand on your valid US license because it is in English. The official limit is up to 12 months for motorcycle and truck licenses and up to 18 months for car licenses. No IDP is legally required for an English license, though a translation or IDP can help at checks.

一目でわかる

IDP required?
No for an English US license; optional companion
Translation useful?
Only required if your license is not in English; otherwise optional
Where to get the IDP
AAA or AATA in the US before departure
Rental desks
Accept a valid English US license directly
Max driving period
Up to 12 months (motorcycle/truck) or 18 months (car) as a visitor
旅行の判断手順

このガイドを明確な旅行計画に変える

ガイドを参考にした上で、何かを購入する前に正確な免許、渡航先、日程、車両を確認してください。

3件の公的情報源

1 · ルールを確認

United Statesの免許証とNew Zealandの渡航先が事前入力済み.

2 · 正規のIDP取得ルートを利用

チェッカーがIDPが必要と示した場合は、免許発行国の正規発行機関から取得してください。私たちはIDPを販売しません。

3 · 翻訳の補助文書を追加

レンタルデスク、保険会社、検問所であなたの免許証を読む必要があるときに翻訳パックを使用します。これは許可証ではありません。

What the rules say

The NZ Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) lets visitors drive on a valid overseas license. A US license in English needs no International Driving Permit. If a license is not in English, the driver must carry an accurate English translation from an approved translator, an embassy, or the issuing authority, or an IDP that serves as that translation. You must always carry the original license the permit is based on.

How long you can drive

Waka Kotahi allows up to 12 months of driving on an overseas motorcycle or truck license and up to 18 months on an overseas car license, measured from your most recent arrival in New Zealand. Beyond those limits you must convert to a New Zealand license. For a typical tourist trip you are comfortably within the visitor window on a valid US car license.

Driving on the left

New Zealand drives on the left with right-hand-drive vehicles. Roads are scenic but narrow and winding, with many single-lane bridges and few motorways outside cities. Give way rules and frequent one-lane bridges catch visitors out, so slow down and read signs carefully. Traffic crashes are a leading cause of injury for visitors, so allow extra travel time and avoid driving when jet-lagged.

準備するもの

  • Carry your valid physical US driver's license whenever you drive
  • Confirm you are within the 12 or 18 month visitor window
  • Bring your passport and rental confirmation for pickups
  • Carry an IDP or certified translation as an optional backup
  • Learn left-side driving and single-lane bridge give-way rules
  • Allow extra time on narrow, winding rural roads

正確なルートを確認

このガイドの渡航先があらかじめ入力された状態で始まります。

免許証の翻訳が必要ですか？

明確に表示された翻訳の補助文書 — 決して偽の許可証ではありません。

よくある質問

Do I need an IDP to drive in New Zealand on a US license?
No. An IDP is not legally required for an English-language US license. Waka Kotahi accepts your valid US license directly. An accurate English translation or an IDP is only mandatory when the license is not in English, though carrying one can be reassuring at a roadside check.
How long can I drive as a visitor in New Zealand?
Up to 12 months on an overseas motorcycle or truck license and up to 18 months on an overseas car license, counted from your latest arrival. After that you must convert to a New Zealand license. Most tourists stay well within these limits.
Is the World Driving Permit a New Zealand IDP?
No. The World Driving Permit is a certified multi-language translation of your license, not an official IDP. Only AAA or AATA issue US IDPs. WDP is an optional companion document carried alongside your original US license and is never a legal substitute for it.

政府および公的機関の情報源

こちらもご覧ください 正規発行機関の案内 旅行で必要な場合に本物のIDPをどこで取得できるかについて。

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