New Zealand driver licence guide (2026)

The three stages at a glance

Most people who start from scratch in New Zealand go through all three stages. Each one lifts more restrictions.

Holding an overseas licence (including a Chinese one)? Don't assume you start at Learner — see Overseas & Chinese licences below.

Learner licence

The Learner licence is for anyone getting their first NZ licence who hasn't passed a practical test yet. To apply you must:

• Be at least 16 years old;
• Pass a vision (eyesight) test; and
• Pass the Road Code theory test — 35 multiple-choice questions on a computer, needing at least 32 correct to pass. The test is available in simplified and traditional Chinese as well as English.

Fee: the Learner application is $96.10. If you don't pass the theory test the first time, your second attempt is included; from the third attempt on, each theory test is $54.60.

What a Learner can and can't do

• You must always have a supervisor in the front passenger seat. A supervisor must hold a current full NZ licence for the same vehicle type, have no supervisor condition themselves, and have held that full licence (or an equivalent overseas full licence) for at least 2 years.
• You must display L plates — on a Class 1 car, van or ute, on both the front and rear, without blocking your view.
• A Learner cannot drive alone.

Restricted licence

The Restricted licence lets you drive on your own — but with real limits. To apply you generally need to:

• Have held your Learner licence for at least 6 months;
• Be at least 16½ years old; and
• Pass the restricted practical (driving) test at an authorised testing agent.

Fee: the Restricted application is $167.50. Your second practical attempt is included if you don't pass first time; from the third attempt on, each restricted practical test is $102.80.

The key restrictions

• Hours: you can drive alone between 5am and 10pm. Between 10pm and 5am you need a qualified supervisor with you.
• Passengers: without a supervisor you generally can't carry passengers, except specific people — for example a spouse or partner, a child in your care, a resident relative who receives a social welfare benefit, a parent or guardian, or someone you're the main carer for.
• Automatic condition: if you sit the test in an automatic car, you may be restricted to automatics.

Restricted is not the same as Full — it's "you can drive alone, within limits."

Full licence

The Full licence removes the time, passenger and supervisor limits. When you can apply depends on your age and whether you've done an approved advanced driving course:

You must usually be at least 18 (or 17½ if you've completed an approved advanced driving course), and you pass the full practical test to upgrade.

Fee: the Full application is $98.90. Second practical attempt included; from the third attempt on, each full practical test is $71.90.

Booking and sitting your practical test

Once you meet the requirements for the Restricted or Full test, here's how the day works.

• Where to book: use NZTA / Waka Kotahi's online driver-licensing services, or book through a driver licensing agent (such as AA or VTNZ). If you book online, you'll still need to complete the application at an agent — allow at least 30 minutes for this.
• How long it takes: the full licence test runs about 30 minutes, with roughly 20 minutes of driving.
• Bring: your current photo driver licence. If you don't have it, or it isn't current, you can't sit the test and will need to rebook.
• Your vehicle is checked first. The testing officer checks it's roadworthy — tyres, indicators, brake lights, a current Warrant/Certificate of Fitness (WoF/CoF), the licence (rego) label, and Road User Charges (RUC) if they apply. If the car fails, you can't sit the test.
• Changing or cancelling: you can change or cancel online or through an agent; a car licence test may have a change/cancellation fee.

Overseas & Chinese licences

If you already hold an overseas licence, your path is different — and there are two common myths worth clearing up.

How long you can drive on it

• An overseas car licence can generally be used for up to 18 months from your last arrival in New Zealand; motorcycle or truck licences are usually 12 months.
• If your licence isn't in English, you must carry a certified English translation or an International Driving Permit (IDP), together with the original licence.
• Once your allowed period ends, you must convert to an NZ licence to keep driving.

Converting (including a Chinese licence)

Whether you need tests depends on whether your licence was issued by an exempt country/region. A mainland Chinese licence is treated as non-exempt, which usually means you'll need to pass both the theory test and a practical test — the theory test can be sat in Chinese.

To convert, you generally take to a driver licensing agent (e.g. AA or VTNZ — not every branch does conversions, so check first):

• Proof of identity (passport / NZ visa);
• Your original overseas licence;
• A certified English translation or IDP;
• Proof of your NZ address; and
• The overseas conversion application (commonly the DL5 form — confirm the current form).

You'll do a vision test and, for a non-exempt licence, the theory and practical tests. Passing the theory test doesn't yet make you fully licensed — you may still hold a supervisor condition until you pass the full practical test.

Fees at a glance (2026)

Application fees include your first sitting, and a free second attempt if you don't pass. Retakes from the third attempt on are charged separately. Fees change — always confirm on the NZTA licence fees page.

Heads-up: 2027 changes

Practise the theory test — free

Whichever stage you're at, the Learner theory test is where it starts. Practise all 35 questions in your own language, with an explanation on every answer — free, no sign-up needed.

Sources

• Get your driver licence — Govt.nz
• Driver licences — NZTA / Waka Kotahi (Road Code licence stages, practical tests)
• Convert your overseas driver licence — Govt.nz
• Converting to a NZ driver licence — NZTA
• Driver licence fees — NZTA

OpenTest is an independent study tool and isn't affiliated with NZTA / Waka Kotahi. This guide is general information, not legal advice — always confirm current rules and fees on the official pages above.