HOW TO GET A LICENCE
Sitting your Drivers Licence in New Zealand involves three stages.
LEARNERS LICENCE
You must be at least 16 years old to apply for a Learner Licence.
You must pass the Learner Licence Theory Test. The learner licence theory test is a computer-based, 35-question, multi-choice test that tests your knowledge of the new zealand road rules. You need to get 32 out of the 35 questions correct to pass.
Everything you need to know in order to pass the Theory Test is explained in The official New Zealand road code. This is available at most bookstores and driver licensing agents.
CONDITIONS OF A LEARNER LICENCE
You can only drive when you have a person who has held there Full Drivers Licence for more than 2 years with you.
You must have Learner Plates displayed both front and rear of the vehicle.
You may only carry passengers if the person with the Full Licence agrees to it.
DRIVING PRACTICE
Once you have passed your Theory Test and got your learner licence. Get in as much driving practice as you can. This is where ABC Driving School can help. We can teach you how to drive. What you need to know to be safe on the road and give you the behind the wheel experience you will need to pass the next sage of your licence. Our Qualified Driving Instructors give a Learner Drivers quality, supervised driving experience so they are prepared for their Restricted Licence test.
Contact Us to Book you next Driving Lesson.
RESTRICTED LICENCE
You must be at least 16½ years old to apply for your Restricted Licence.
You must also have held your learner licence for at least 6 months.
You must pass the Restricted Licence Practical Test. The Restricted Licence Practical Test takes 60 minutes to complete. A testing officer will assess whether your driving is good enough to progress to the next level of driver licence.
CONDITIONS OF A RESTRICTED LICENCE
You can drive on your own between 5am and 10pm.
Between 10pm and 5am you must be accompanied by a person who has held a Full Licence for more than 2 years.
If you sit your test in an automatic vehicle, you will only be allowed to drive automatic vehicles.
You must not carry passengers unless you have a person who has held a Full Licence for more than 2 years with you.
The only passengers you can carry without being accompanied by a person who has held a Full Licence for more than 2 years. are:
- your spouse or partner (partner means a civil union partner or de facto partner)
- your parent or guardian
- a child who lives with you and is under the care of you or your spouse or partner, eg you or your spouse are their parent or guardian
- a relative who lives with you and who receives a social security benefit, eg the domestic purposes, invalid’s, sickness, unemployment or widow’s benefits
- someone you look after as their primary caregiver.
FULL LICENCE
If you have completed an approved Defensive Driving Course, you can get your full licence once you turn 17½.
If you haven't completed a Defensive Driving Course, then you must be 18 before you can get your full licence.
The Full Licence practical test is a 30 minute test with a testing officer, who will assess whether your driving is good enough to progress to the next level of Drivers Licence.
GETTING YOUR FULL LICENCE WHEN UNDER 25 YEARS OLD
You may sit your Full Licence Test if you have completed a Defensive Driving Course and you have held your restricted licence for 12 months or more.
Or, if you have not completed a Defensive Driving Course, then you must have held your restricted licence for at least 18 months.
GETTING YOUR FULL LICENCE WHEN OVER 25 YEARS OLD
You may sit your Full Licence Test if you have completed a Defensive Driving Course and you have held your restricted licence for 3 months or more.
Or, if you have not completed a Defensive Driving Course, then you must have held your restricted licence for at least 6 months.
If you have any questions about the Licencing Process or what we can do to help. Feel free to Contact Us on 03 327 5168
ABC Driving School - Qualified Instructors.
