{"id":7871,"date":"2026-10-06T21:53:30","date_gmt":"2026-10-06T21:53:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/truthdocuments.com\/how-to-get-a-drivers-licence-nz\/"},"modified":"2026-10-06T21:53:30","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T21:53:30","slug":"how-to-get-a-drivers-licence-nz","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/truthdocuments.com\/nz\/how-to-get-a-drivers-licence-nz\/","title":{"rendered":"How to get a driver licence in New Zealand: learner, restricted and full"},"content":{"rendered":"<nav class=\"crumbs\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\"><a href=\"\/nz\/\">Home<\/a> \u203a Get a driver licence<\/nav>\n<p><span class=\"kicker\">The lawful route<\/span><\/p>\n<h1>How to get a driver licence in New Zealand: learner, restricted and full<\/h1>\n<div class=\"answer\"><strong>Short answer:<\/strong> A New Zealand car licence has three stages: learner from age 16, restricted after at least six months, then full. Each stage needs an in-person application at an AA or VTNZ agent and tests. NZTA fees total $362.50 now and drop to $282.50 from 25 January 2027.<\/div>\n<p class=\"meta\">Last reviewed: <time datetime=\"2026-10-05\">2026-10-05<\/time> \u00b7 By <a href=\"\/nz\/authors\/\">Mark Dent<\/a><\/p>\n<nav class=\"toc\" aria-label=\"On this page\"><strong>On this page<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"#s1\">The three stages<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s2\">What has to be done in person<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s3\">What it costs<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s4\">What changes from 25 January 2027<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s5\">Prepare, then book<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s6\">If someone offers a shortcut<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s7\">Keeping the licence once you have it<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s8\">Other vehicles and newcomers<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s9\">A note on cost against the scam<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#faq\">Common questions<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<div class=\"keyfacts\"><strong>Key facts, checked 5 October 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Learner: minimum age 16; the theory test must be sat in person and cannot be booked online.<\/li>\n<li>Restricted: at least 16&frac12; and a learner licence held for six months before you can book the test.<\/li>\n<li>Full: 18, or 17&frac12; with an approved advanced driving course certificate.<\/li>\n<li>Total NZTA fees for the three stages: $362.50 (1News). From 25 January 2027: $282.50.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"s1\">The three stages<\/h2>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Stage<\/th>\n<th>Entry rules<\/th>\n<th>What you do<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Learner<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>16 or over<\/td>\n<td>Sit the theory test in person at an agent. The AA says the test cannot be booked online, and you must be present even if someone else pays. Study the official road code first.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Restricted<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>16&frac12;, and learner licence held for six months<\/td>\n<td>Pass a practical driving test. Once you hold it, carry the licence when driving; under 20, the zero alcohol limit applies.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Full<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Hold the restricted licence for 18 months if under 25 (12 months with the AA Driver&rsquo;s Seat course); six months if 25 or over (three with the course)<\/td>\n<td>Pass the full licence practical test. Restricted conditions then fall away.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>The waiting periods are from the AA&rsquo;s pages. Under the changes the Government confirmed in February 2026, they are due to change in January 2027, covered below.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"s2\">What has to be done in person<\/h2>\n<p>You can book a restricted or full test on the NZTA website and apply for a replacement licence online, but the AA says identity verification, your photo, your signature, the eye test and payment are done at a licensing agent. The AA and VTNZ are the only agents. The practical tests themselves are carried out by VTNZ testing officers.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"s3\">What it costs<\/h2>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Item<\/th>\n<th>Fee, checked 5 October 2026<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Learner application (includes two tests)<\/td>\n<td>$96.10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Restricted application<\/td>\n<td>$167.50<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Full application<\/td>\n<td>$98.90<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Total, three stages<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>$362.50<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>1News reported the total of $362.50 and the $98.90 full licence fee. The learner and restricted figures are from NZTA&rsquo;s fee listing as shown in search results, because the NZTA site blocks automated access; they add up to the 1News total. NZTA&rsquo;s conversion factsheet lists a practical test fee of $59.90 and a theory test fee of $45.70 for people converting a licence, which shows the scale of single-test charges. Check the NZTA fees page before you pay, and lessons are extra.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"s4\">What changes from 25 January 2027<\/h2>\n<p>1News reported that the Government confirmed the second practical test needed for a full licence will be scrapped, taking the full licence fee from $98.90 to $25.90 and the total from $362.50 to $282.50. The report says under-25s will have a default learner period of 12 months, which can be shortened by supervised practice hours or approved courses; the restricted period for that group will be 12 months, extended by six months if demerit points are received; zero alcohol limits will apply to all learner and restricted holders; eyesight checks will be limited to initial application and renewal; and the hazard perception test moves to the restricted stage. The date was moved from July 2026. Confirm each detail on NZTA before planning around it.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"s5\">Prepare, then book<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"check\">\n<li>Read the official road code, which NZTA publishes.<\/li>\n<li>Book a lesson or two with a driving school, and an AA practice test if you wish; the AA warns wait times have increased since fees changed.<\/li>\n<li>If you cannot use a booking, cancel in good time so someone else gets the slot. NZTA&rsquo;s conversion factsheet shows cancellations within two full working days cost the full test fee.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"s6\">If someone offers a shortcut<\/h2>\n<p>There is none. See <a href=\"\/nz\/buy-a-drivers-licence-nz\/\">can you buy a driver licence in NZ<\/a> and <a href=\"\/nz\/driving-test-bribery-nz\/\">what happened to people who paid for passes<\/a>. Already hold an overseas licence? Read <a href=\"\/nz\/convert-overseas-licence-nz\/\">converting an overseas licence<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"s7\">Keeping the licence once you have it<\/h2>\n<p>govt.nz says most photo licences are valid for 10 years and that NZTA sends a renewal reminder about eight weeks before expiry if it has your current address. Update your name, gender or contact details by contacting NZTA. The AA adds that renewals are done in person and take about 15 minutes. See <a href=\"\/nz\/lost-or-stolen-drivers-licence-nz\/\">lost, stolen or expiring licences<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"s8\">Other vehicles and newcomers<\/h2>\n<p>This guide covers a class 1 car licence. govt.nz points to NZTA for other vehicles, and NZTA&rsquo;s factsheet explains that class 1 covers cars, vans and utes, classes 2 to 5 cover heavy vehicles such as trucks, and class 6 covers motorcycles. If you already hold a licence from another country you may not need to start at the learner stage: the <a href=\"\/nz\/convert-overseas-licence-nz\/\">conversion guide<\/a> sets out the rules. Visitors, govt.nz says, do not need a New Zealand licence to drive here but must meet some conditions, and after more than a year in the country you need to convert.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"s9\">A note on cost against the scam<\/h2>\n<p>The lawful route is not free, but the prices are published, the receipts are real and the result is a licence that any agent or police officer can verify. Scam offers rely on you not knowing that a first licence costs a few hundred dollars in NZTA fees, with the biggest saving, the scrapped second practical test, arriving in January 2027. If you are quoted a price for a &ldquo;fast licence&rdquo;, compare it with the table above and then with <a href=\"\/nz\/scam-red-flags-nz\/\">the red flags<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"faq\">Common questions<\/h2>\n<details>\n<summary>How old do you have to be to get a driver licence in NZ?<\/summary>\n<p>16 for a learner licence. A restricted licence needs 16&frac12; and six months on a learner licence. A full licence is 18, or 17&frac12; with an approved advanced driving course certificate.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>How much does a driver licence cost in NZ?<\/summary>\n<p>NZTA application fees across learner, restricted and full stages total $362.50, reported by 1News, dropping to $282.50 from 25 January 2027. Lessons and extra test attempts are additional.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Can I do the learner test online in NZ?<\/summary>\n<p>No. The AA says the learner licence theory test must be sat in person at a driver licensing agent and cannot be booked online.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>How long until I can sit the full licence test?<\/summary>\n<p>Under 25, you must have held a restricted licence for 18 months, or 12 with the AA Driver&rsquo;s Seat course. At 25 or over it is six months, or three with the course.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Is NZ scrapping the full licence practical test?<\/summary>\n<p>1News reported the second practical test will be scrapped from 25 January 2027, cutting the full licence fee to $25.90. Check NZTA for the final rules.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Who runs the driving tests?<\/summary>\n<p>The AA says VTNZ testing officers carry out the tests at designated sites. NZTA sets the rules and issues the licence.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<div class=\"related\">\n<h2>Keep reading<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"\/nz\/convert-overseas-licence-nz\/\">Convert an overseas licence<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/nz\/lost-or-stolen-drivers-licence-nz\/\">Lost, stolen or expiring licences<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/nz\/buy-a-drivers-licence-nz\/\">Can you buy a driver licence?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/nz\/driver-licence-scams\/\">All driver licence guides<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sources\">\n<h2>Sources and official links<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aa.co.nz\/drivers\/driver-licences\/learner-driver-licences\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">AA: learner driver licences<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aa.co.nz\/drivers\/driver-licences\/restricted-driver-licences\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">AA: restricted driver licences<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aa.co.nz\/drivers\/driver-licences\/full-driver-licences\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">AA: full driver licences<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aa.co.nz\/drivers\/driver-licences\/fact-check\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">AA: fact check on driver licensing<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1news.co.nz\/2026\/02\/03\/govt-confirms-itll-scrap-full-practical-test-80-cut-to-licence-cost\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">1News: government confirms it will scrap the full practical test (3 February 2026)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nzta.govt.nz\/assets\/resources\/factsheets\/72\/docs\/72-overseas-driver-licence.pdf\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">NZTA Factsheet 72: overseas driver licences (July 2026)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.govt.nz\/browse\/transport\/driver-licences\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">govt.nz: driver licences<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author\"><strong>About this guide<\/strong><br \/>Written by <a href=\"\/nz\/authors\/\">Mark Dent<\/a> from NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) material, New Zealand legislation, Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) statements and public reporting. We do not sell, issue or arrange any licence or document, and we are not part of NZTA, the AA, VTNZ, DIA or any government agency. See our <a href=\"\/nz\/editorial-policy\/\">editorial policy<\/a> or <a href=\"\/nz\/contact\/\">report a mistake<\/a>.<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Home \u203a Get a driver licence The lawful route How to get a driver licence in New Zealand: learner, restricted and full Short answer: A New Zealand car licence has three stages: learner from age 16, restricted after at least six months, then full. Each stage needs an in-person application at an AA or VTNZ [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"truthdocuments-guide","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-7871","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_hostinger_reach_plugin_has_subscription_block":false,"_hostinger_reach_plugin_is_elementor":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/truthdocuments.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7871","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/truthdocuments.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/truthdocuments.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/truthdocuments.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/truthdocuments.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7871"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/truthdocuments.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7871\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/truthdocuments.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7871"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}