Please note: The Government is making changes to the car driver licensing system (class 1).
These changes happen on 25 January 2027. Until then, you still need to follow the current process outlined below to get your restricted licence.
If you want to know about changes coming in 2027, visit the NZTA website.
Changes to getting a car licence – NZTA
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- Requirements for getting a restricted licence
- Preparing for your restricted licence test
- Booking your restricted licence test
- Vehicle to sit the test in
Requirements for getting a restricted licence
A restricted licence is the second step of the 3-stage process to get a full driver licence.
To get a restricted licence you must:
- be at least 16½ years old
- have held your learner licence for at least 6 months
- pass a practical driving test.
Preparing for your restricted licence test
You should spend many hours driving on your learner licence with your coach – we recommend around 120 hours of supervised driving practise. Be sure to include different traffic conditions, types of roads and driving skills.
If you can, get a professional driving instructor to take you for a tidy-up lesson before your full licence test.
Know what to practise
The Drive Go app helps you and your coach to cover the key skills you’ll need to prepare for the restricted licence test. Each skill has an explanation, key learning points and video content to watch before you start each drive.
If you don’t have the app, this content is also on the Drive website.
Know what you’ll be assessed on
You’ll be assessed on the following items throughout the test, so make sure you practise:
- Observation
- Signalling
- Gap selection
- Speed choice
- Following distance
- Lateral position (position on the road)
- Parking observation
- Parking movement
- Leaving park
- Turning movement.
Skills to work on before the test
Critical and immediate failure errors
Throughout the test the testing officer will also be looking for critical errors and immediate failure errors.
You’re allowed to make 1 critical error during stage 1 of your restricted licence test and no more than 2 critical errors across the whole test.
Booking your restricted licence test
When you feel you’re ready, you can book and pay for your test online:
Book a practical driver licence test – NZTA
You also need to go to a driver licensing agent to fill out the application form, even if you book the test online. Do this well before the day of your test.
Agents include most AA offices and some VTNZ stations.
You can download the application form and fill it out in advance, or get a copy from the driver licensing agent when you go in.
Make sure you bring proof of your identity, such as your learner licence or a current New Zealand passport.
You’ll also need to:
- pass the eye test (bring your classes or contact lenses if you normally wear them)
- have your photo taken and provide a signature
- pay the restricted licence application fee of $167.50 (if you haven’t already paid).
Find a driver licensing agent in your area – NZTA
Identification requirements – NZTA
Vehicle to sit the test in
You need to provide the car or other light vehicle (for example, a van or ute) that you’ll sit the test in. If you don’t have a car, you’ll need to borrow one.
The testing officer will look over your vehicle before the test to make sure its roadworthy. If it’s not roadworthy, you could fail your test before you even start driving.
They’ll also check that your vehicle has a current warrant of fitness (WoF), licence (rego), and road user charges (RUC) label if it’s a diesel or electric vehicle.