I check this website New Zealand.com, it says either we apply for IDP (international Driving Permit) or we apply english translated paper because our driving license do show english words. Is it true? If we apply IDP, we need to pay RM150 (for 1 year) to JPJ. I was wondering how much we have to pay for that english translated paper.

It depends on who you ask the papers to be translated to. Translator in courts etc all have different charges (I had to translate some official documents (not into English though)). You can also go to the city centers in NZ to get help in translating (this would be harder though). But if you are going in and out of New Zealand, there's actually not much point of taking the IDP. But if you are planning to stay there or going around countries, you should do that or apply for the translated paper.

This post has been edited by digitalz: Nov 8 2011, 10:35 AM

Actually earlier i wanted to write "because our driving license do NOT show english words".

I am going there (north island) for 10 days only. I want to rent a car and drive. I wonder if the our local AAM can help me to apply the translated paper.

Don't need to go for the fuss. Our license is valid for a year over there. Unless you want to stay there or something, there's no point of going through all the trouble. Cheers!

Below is the extract from newzealand.com:

International Driving Licences and Permits

You can legally drive in New Zealand for up to 12 months if you have either a current driver's licence from your home country or an International Driving Permit (IDP). After 12 months you are required to convert to a New Zealand licence. This applies to each visit to New Zealand.

In New Zealand all drivers, including visitors from other countries, must carry their licence or permit at all times when driving. You will only be able to drive the same types of vehicles you are licensed to drive in your home country. The common legal age to rent a car in New Zealand is 21 years.

Make sure your driver's licence is current. If your licence is not in English, you must bring an English translation with you or obtain an IDP. Contact your local automobile club for further details about obtaining a translation or an IDP.

A translation of your overseas licence or permit can be issued by:

•The New Zealand Translation Service, or
•A diplomatic representative at a high commission, embassy or consulate, or
•The authority that issued your overseas licence (an international driving permit may be acceptable as a translation).

It is important to note that if you are caught driving without an acceptable English translation or an IDP, you may be prosecuted for driving unlicensed or for driving without an appropriate licence and will be liable for an infringement fee of NZ$400 or up to NZ$1,000 on conviction in court.

* * * * *

Ok, Malaysian driving licence has 2 slips, one is the original with the photo ID, it says "Malaysian Driving Licence", the other slip is given everytime we renew the duration, the only english words on it is "Slip to be produced with driving licence".

Say while driving in NZ, i am stop by policeman, i show these 2 slips, he will not know which class of vehicle I am eligible to drive, will he? Becos the driving licence show "Kelas: D", which he doesnt know D is actually meant for Motorkar BTM tidak melebihi 3000kg. Refer to the bolded part and u will understand my concern. So what gives?

Lol, I've never had that problem up till now, well not only me actually as the car rental companies don't really care. And we drive our own ride mostly. Just drive according to the law and you won't have any problem at all.

But just to be safe, you can either do it here like what I've told you to, find a translator or just ask the NZ Translation Service to help you out. Cheers!

This post has been edited by digitalz: Nov 8 2011, 07:26 PM

OK, thanks for the prompt replies.

How is the price of the meal there? i read in this thread someone said there is not much McD et al those fast food chain? Will I be having lots of fish n chip?

Driving license, so far I never really have any problems with needing a translation for it. Maybe they have change the rules and are stricter, I've no idea honestly. Better play safe to get one since it's stated.

Meals, it's much cheaper to buy and cook yourself. Especially when lots of hotel units there come with a partial kitchen. Fast food chain, mainly Burger King which is pretty cheap there, especially when got coupons. Yummy too. Fish and chips of course can get but I've eaten some not very nice ones. What type of meals are you looking for? Western, chinese? And which part of NZ?

Sorry,loong time not follow this thread already

2 adult + 2 kid, 2 kid (one 3 year old, one 5 year old), one sleep with mom, one sleep with dad, youth hostel average NZ35/nite, everage 10 nite =10x35x2=nz700

car rental, 45/day=NZ45x10=NZ450, share car with a friend ,deduct NZ150, bal=NZ300
food for 4, own cooking at youth hostel=NZ40/day x10=NZ400, ded portion share with friend -133=NZ267
petrol= estimate NZ 300 , deduct share portion-100=NZ200
others expenses =NZ500.

Thus, is possible to travel south island with the budget of < NZ2k =RM4-5k?


Anyway, pls comment if my budget is too narrow

@SowYau. Like what she had said. Type & North or South Island?

NZD 2k and below is probably still ok if you are cooking ALL your meals. You might not be able to go to all places in South Island. And since you are driving around, I think that you'll be eating quite a number of your meals out?

And you missed out something on the car rental part, you'll need to place either your credit card number or a bond/deposit for the car rental. And which city are you going to rent the car from? Do take note, the petrol there isn't cheap like what we can get back in Malaysia.

mine is a 10 days trip end of next March (include flight), 2 persons, north island only.

Food..... affordable (NZD10 or below per person), doesnt matter if western or oriental.

We may take a few ground tours (1-2 days) and also drive a hired car for sightseeing. If i pump in RON91 fuel, is it OK? Is it unleaded? i think most cars in malaysia only can consume unleaded fuel, not sure about NZ, and i am not sure this RON91 is unleaded or not. As of Aug2011, RON91 is NZD2.03 per litre while RON95 is NZD2.11. The choice is obvious. Every penny counts!

Credit card. I understand over there we need to key in 4 digit PIN, right?

My budget is preferably not over RM10K, we have spent RM4K on MAS flight tickets.

I need to clarify: Budget RM10K not include flight

This post has been edited by SowYau: Nov 9 2011, 10:32 AM

@SowYau. My post below wasn't meant for you. I replied that @youngman28.

But just FYI, I mostly use RON95 for my own ride and the rented cars.

This post has been edited by digitalz: Nov 9 2011, 10:45 AM

I alway bring my cc when i am travel aboard, is just a form of deposite and security when ever i need cash if anything go wrong with my plan.

On car rental part, i will cover those area furher south fr CHC, the most up to Greymouth only, estimate around 2k-2.2k km, let take a medium size japanese car which can run 600km for 50 litres, based on the figure=2200/600=3.7x2.03x50=NZD375 ( use Ron 91). Most problaly will rent a car fr CHC.

While, will try to narrow down to some interesting area since it in winter, the day hour will much shorter as u comment. and try not to repeat the route to minimise fuel cost.

On food allocation, will make own cook breakfast and dinner once in youth hostel, on lunch, will try to get some fish and chip or eat at burger king.

BTW, how much of cost of diesel in NZ?

Diesel range would be around $1.5<. I never really notice although they always put it so big outside the petrol station. And ya, not all fish & chips in NZ are good. There's always other fast food outlets & food courts in shopping malls for you to try as well.

And actually, from the maps, Greymouth is not located further south. Places that are further south are Dunedin and Queenstown. Greymouth is located at the West Coast FYI.

P.s Almost forgot about this, different cities & towns have different business times. Also, CHC is really "dead" at night after the earthquake so there won't be much to do at night.

This post has been edited by digitalz: Nov 9 2011, 02:22 PM

I see.

their gas stations do not equip with credit card slot, do they?

I don't think so, well, I've never actually seen or used one up till now anyway. I pay at the counter each time. Cheers!

U mean I need to pay cash at the counter? Looks like need to allocate some cash just for petrol

They also accept CC at the counters as well. But then, we normally use cash or EFTPOS(Debit Card) there. For me, I usually use cash as I don't go for full tank. My CC is only used when it's an emergency.

This post has been edited by digitalz: Nov 9 2011, 04:09 PM

duly noted!