Once you have your learner licence you can start learning to drive a car on the road with a supervisor.

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Know the conditions of your learner licence

To keep safe while you’re learning to drive, there are important conditions (rules) that you must follow on your learner licence:

  • You can’t drive on your own. You must have a supervisor in the front passenger seat beside you.
  • You must display learner (L) plates on the front and back or the car.
  • You must always have your learner licence with you when driving. Your supervisor must have their licence on them too.
  • You may carry passengers, as long as your supervisor agrees, as they will be responsible for them.

If you’re not following your licence conditions, the Police can:

  • stop you from driving until you can meet your licence conditions
  • make you drive straight home
  • take your keys
  • clamp your vehicle, or have it moved to a place where it’s not a traffic hazard.

If you drink or use drugs, don’t drive

There are specific laws around alcohol and drug use while driving:

  • Zero alcohol is the law for all drivers under 20. One drink will put you over the limit.
  • Drivers aged 20 or over: you must not drive with more than 250 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath, or more that 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.
  • Any and all illicit drug use before driving is illegal.
  • If you use counter, prescription or traditional healing medication, it is important to discuss with a health care professional how it may affect your ability to drive safely.

Alcohol and drugs, including some medicines from your doctor, can seriously affect your driving. Even a small amount can slow reaction time and affect your senses. Plan ahead. Catch a lift with a sober friend or call for a ride instead.

Find someone to teach you to drive

Before you get behind the wheel, you’ll need to find someone to teach you to drive. They’ll be your coach and supervisor.

A supervisor can be anyone who holds a current full New Zealand driver licence. This must be at least 2 years old, or if their NZ full licence is less than 2 years old, they must have had an equivalent overseas full driver licence for at least 2 years. They must be in good condition to drive, so can’t be asleep or over the legal blood alcohol limit.

The supervisor is legally in charge of the vehicle. This means that they’re responsible for the safety of everyone in the vehicle.

You can ask a friend or family member to teach you to drive, or you can pay for professional driving lessons. Many learner drivers get a mix of both.

Use the free Drive Go app if a friend or family member is teaching you. Drive Go has 44 skills to practise and help you prepare for the restricted licence test. Each skill has an explanation, key learning points and videos to watch before each driving lesson in your car.

Drive also has a section for coaches with helpful resources, tools and tips. These can be found in the Teach someone to drive section.

Drive Go app

Teach someone to drive