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 on the licence card. 

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.”