To drive a Budget vehicle in New Zealand:
(a) Drivers must be over 21 years of age, and hold a current and valid licence (not being a restricted licence, learner’s licence) to drive the category of Vehicle for at least 12 consecutive months;
(b) International Driver licences are accepted on “face value” but must be in English, or if not in English, the renter must have an English translation thereof.
If the licence is not in English, an International Drivers Licence is required. Please see Do I need an international Driving Permit? below.
Digital Drivers Licences (DDLs) issued by a Verification Authority in an Eligible Country MAY be accepted by the Budget as a valid form of identification for all purposes in which physical driver's licenses are currently accepted, PROVIDED that they meet BUDGET’s security and authenticity requirements issued by the issuing Verification Authority (see below).
Eligible Countries
As at the date of this policy, DDLs issued by a Verification Authority in the following countries/states are accepted by the Budget :
(i) Australia (New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria);
(ii) Brazil
(iii) China
(iv) Estonia
(v) India
(vi) Singapore
(vii) United States of America (Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi and Utah).
The following countries/states are either exploring, or in the process of developing, DDLs:
(i) New Zealand;
(ii) South Africa;
(iii) United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales); and
(iv) United States of America (Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wyoming, Washington DC and Puerto Rico)
Once the Verification Authority in these countries/states issue DDLs, they will be accepted by the Budget. Budget may at any time, and for any reason, reject a DDL.
BUDGET’s Security and Authenticity Requirements
Budget will not accept a DDL unless it meets the following criteria:
1. DDLs must be issued by a Verification Authority of an Eligible Countries listed above;
2. DDLs must use strong encryption and biometric authentication to ensure their security;
3. DDLs must be in English or, the customer must carry an accurate English translation;
4. DDL must include a photo of the holder of the DDL; and
5. DDL must include a QR Code, Barcode or similar scannable image allowing access to the DDLs information.
Budget may reject or accept any DDL that does not meet, at its sole discretion, the requirements set out in this policy.
Please note, a photo of a physical driver’s licence is NOT regarded as a valid DDL under this policy.
You must present a valid licence appropriate for the vehicle that is to be rented.
All digital licences will be checked live at the time of rental, a screenshot or photo of the licence is not acceptable.
A digital licence does not replace a physical licence and you should still carry your physical card when travelling outside the issuing state or territory.
To drive a Budget vehicle in New Zealand:
(a) Drivers must be over 21 years of age, and hold a current and valid licence (not being a restricted licence, learner’s licence) to drive the category of Vehicle for at least 12 consecutive months;
(b) International Driver licences are accepted on “face value” but must be in English, or if not in English, the renter must have an English translation thereof.
If the licence is not in English, an International Drivers Licence is required. Please see Do I need an international Driving Permit? below.
Digital Drivers Licences (DDLs) issued by a Verification Authority in an Eligible Country MAY be accepted by the Budget as a valid form of identification for all purposes in which physical driver's licenses are currently accepted, PROVIDED that they meet BUDGET’s security and authenticity requirements issued by the issuing Verification Authority (see below).
Eligible Countries
As at the date of this policy, DDLs issued by a Verification Authority in the following countries/states are accepted by the Budget :
(i) Australia (New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria);
(ii) Brazil
(iii) China
(iv) Estonia
(v) India
(vi) Singapore
(vii) United States of America (Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi and Utah).
The following countries/states are either exploring, or in the process of developing, DDLs:
(i) New Zealand;
(ii) South Africa;
(iii) United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales); and
(iv) United States of America (Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wyoming, Washington DC and Puerto Rico)
Once the Verification Authority in these countries/states issue DDLs, they will be accepted by the Budget. Budget may at any time, and for any reason, reject a DDL.
BUDGET’s Security and Authenticity Requirements
Budget will not accept a DDL unless it meets the following criteria:
1. DDLs must be issued by a Verification Authority of an Eligible Countries listed above;
2. DDLs must use strong encryption and biometric authentication to ensure their security;
3. DDLs must be in English or, the customer must carry an accurate English translation;
4. DDL must include a photo of the holder of the DDL; and
5. DDL must include a QR Code, Barcode or similar scannable image allowing access to the DDLs information.
Budget may reject or accept any DDL that does not meet, at its sole discretion, the requirements set out in this policy.
Please note, a photo of a physical driver’s licence is NOT regarded as a valid DDL under this policy.
You must present a valid licence appropriate for the vehicle that is to be rented.
All digital licences will be checked live at the time of rental, a screenshot or photo of the licence is not acceptable.
A digital licence does not replace a physical licence and you should still carry your physical card when travelling outside the issuing state or territory.
