NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is adding a new security feature to driver licences by embossing the driver’s date of birth over their photo.
The change takes effect for new licence cards issued from today, Monday 13 April 2026.
The inclusion of an embossed date of birth is a commonly used security feature for driver licence cards overseas, and provides secondary verification of the date of birth already printed beside the photo.
“Embossing is difficult to replicate, which makes it an effective way to reduce the opportunity for fraud. It also means the photo on the card can’t be easily modified and it provides an extra verification of the driver’s date of birth,” says NZTA Head of Driving Regulation Chris Rodley.
“People don’t need to do anything with their existing licence – they are still valid until their expiry date. The change simply means that if you renew your licence or get a new licence from today, your licence card will include the new feature.”
This is a new security feature our licence manufacturer can do for us. It doesn’t cost NZTA anything to add to their manufacturing process.
The embossing isn’t easily replicated, which reduces the opportunity for fraud. It also means the photo on a card can’t easily be modified, and it provides an extra verification of the driver’s date of birth.
This won’t affect the Government’s plan to introduce digital driver licences. Even when digital licences are available, you’ll still have the option to get a physical card.
