If you are a driver who had a birthday in February, the Land Transport Safety Authority (LTSA) hopes you got at least one card – a photo driver licence. The LTSA is reminding drivers of the need to upgrade from their old paper driver licence to a photo driver licence within 60 days after their birthday.

Director of Land Transport Safety Reg Barrett said motorists who did not receive a driver licence upgrade pack in the mail should not delay upgrading.

“If you didn’t get an upgrade pack around your birthday you should pick up an application form and information from a driver licensing agent now,” Mr Barrett said today.

“It is up to you to ensure you have a current and valid driver licence. If your paper licence hasn’t expired yet, it soon will,” he said.

Drivers who fail to upgrade to a photo driver licence within 60 days after their birthday, and are caught driving by Police, risk a $400 fine. If they are caught again, the car they are driving will be impounded on the spot for 28 days. It will then cost around $350 to get the car back at the end of that period.

Driver licensing services are provided by participating offices of the New Zealand Automobile Association (AA), Vehicle Testing New Zealand (VTNZ), Vehicle Identification New Zealand (VINZ) and On-Road New Zealand.