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How to get a driving licence in New Zealand

Getting a car licence from scratch, country by country.

Car licence, class 1

Getting your licence in New Zealand

Theory test questions35
Pass mark32 correct
Learner licence, incl. 2 theory tests$96.10
Restricted licence, incl. 2 practical tests$167.50
Full licence, incl. 2 practical tests$98.90
Minimum age to drive alone (restricted)16½

Fees until 25 January 2027. Then the full licence test is dropped and the full licence fee falls to $25.90.

Before you start driving

2
Learner licenceYes. Pass the theory test and an eyesight check. Then drive only with a supervisor and L plates.
Medical checkAn eyesight check at the licensing agent. A medical certificate only for some conditions.

Required lessons

2
Supervised practiceNo set hours for now. From 25 January 2027, under-25s are learners for 12 months, or 6 with logged hours or an approved course.
Advanced driving course (optional)Until 25 January 2027, it shortens the restricted stage for under-25s from 18 to 12 months.

Good to know

8
Minimum age16 for a learner licence, 16½ for a restricted licence. A full licence from 18, or 17½ with an advanced driving course.
Licence validity10 years.
Exam languagesTheory test in English and 12 other languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Māori and Samoan. Or with an interpreter.
If you failEach application fee covers 2 attempts at the test. After that, you pay for each test. Fail the theory test twice in one day and you wait 10 working days.
Automatic or manualPass the restricted test in an automatic and your restricted licence covers only automatics, unless a supervisor is with you.
New driversA restricted licence first: between 10 pm and 5 am you need a supervisor, and without one you can only carry your partner, dependants or certain family. Zero alcohol under 20.
Already have a licence from abroad?Licences from New Zealand's exempt countries are converted without tests if you've held them for 2+ years. Others take the theory and practical tests. See the Abroad tab.
Also worth knowing
  • Study the official New Zealand road code. NZTA's free Drive website has real theory test questions.
  • Book practical tests early: some regions have long waits.

Step by step

  1. Theory testAt a licensing agent: 35 questions, at least 32 correct. You get a learner licence.
  2. Learner licenceAt least 6 months with a supervisor (12 months for under-25s from 25 January 2027).
  3. Restricted practical testPass to drive on your own, with restricted conditions.
  4. Restricted licence18 months under 25 (12 with a course, and 12 for everyone from 25 January 2027). 6 months from 25.
  5. Full licenceA full practical test until 25 January 2027. After that, you just apply.

Tips From driving schools and examiners

  • Never go over the limit. 10 km/h over at any moment, or 5 km/h over for 5 seconds or more, fails the test straight away.
  • Come to a complete stop at every Stop sign. Rolling through counts as a critical error, and not stopping at all fails you outright.
  • Give way wherever the rules say so, not only at Give Way signs. Failing to give way fails the test on its own.
  • Indicate for at least 3 seconds before turning, changing lanes, pulling in or out from the kerb, and at roundabouts.
  • Don't be too cautious either. Waiting more than 5 seconds for a safe gap, or holding up traffic at 10 km/h under the limit, counts as a critical error.
  • Critical errors add up: more than 1 in the first stage of the restricted test, or more than 2 in the whole test, and you fail.

Based on: NZTA Drive: Critical and immediate fail errors ↗ · NZTA Drive: Immediate fail errors ↗

Official links

NZTA: Apply for a car licence ↗NZ Legislation: Land Transport Act 1998 ↗Last checked 20 Oct 2026
Wrong information? Help us fix itTell us what's incorrect and we'll check it against the official sources.

About: This page

Frequently asked questionsCoverage, sources and how RoadVisa works.

Why isn't my country listed?

RoadVisa is still growing. It covers 42 countries and all 50 US states plus Washington, D.C. so far, and more are added step by step. Each country is checked against its own official sources, in its own language, before it goes live.

Why isn't Africa covered?

Many African licensing authorities publish little detail about their driving rules online, so we can't yet check the answers against official sources. We'll add African countries as official information becomes available.

Where does the information come from?

From official sources only: licensing authorities, ministries, police and government websites, read in each country's own language. Every answer links to its sources and shows when it was last checked.

What's the difference between Visiting and Moving?

Visiting covers short stays such as holidays and business trips, when you keep your home licence. Moving covers becoming a resident, when most countries want you to exchange your licence or take tests by a deadline.

What is an International Driving Permit?

A translation of your licence in a standard format. It's only valid together with your own licence, and you get it in the country that issued your licence, usually from a motoring club or the licensing authority. RoadVisa tells you when a country expects one.

Does RoadVisa cover motorcycles or trucks?

Not yet. The answers are about car licences: category B in Europe, and the local equivalent elsewhere, such as Class C or D in most US states. Other licences may follow later.

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No. RoadVisa is an independent guide and isn't linked to any government or licensing authority. The authority that handles your application always has the final word.

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An independent guide. RoadVisa is a private project. It is not run by, linked to or approved by any government, licensing authority (such as a national road traffic agency or a US DMV), embassy or driving school.

Information only, not legal advice. RoadVisa sums up official rules in plain English. It does not replace the official rules, and it is not a decision about your case. Only the authority that handles your application can decide that.

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