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Driving

How to get your New Zealand Drivers Licence.

There are three stages to New Zealand’s drivers licensing system:  
Learners   >   Restricted   >   Full

What are the requirements?

As you move from one stage to the next you are given a new licence with different requirements and more responsibilities:

• Before you can apply for your learners, you must be 15 years of age
• Before you can apply for your Restricted you must have held your Learners for six months
• Before you can apply for your Full, you must have held your Restricted for 18 months (unless you have completed an approved course, such as a defensive driving course which reduces time to 12 months)

What are the restrictions?

As well as new requirements there are also restrictions imposed at certain stages

• Once you have your Learners Licence you will be legally able to drive
• You will always need a fully licenced driver in the passenger seat
• You will have a curfew which means you will not be able to drive after 10pm every night
• Once you have your Restricted Licence you will legally be able to drive on your own.
• If you have passengers you will need a fully  licenced driver in the passenger seat 
• Driving curfew stands at 10pm
• Once you have your full licence you are a fully licenced driver so you will be able to drive with passengers and will need to obey all road rules and laws.

What tests will I have to complete?

Each stage has a test that you have to pass

• Learner’s is a theory test
• Restricted and Full are Practical Driving Tests

How much does it cost?

• Learners Licence $93.90
• Restricted Licence $108.10
• Full Licence $136.20
• Defensive Driving Course $180

More information here on obtaining you licence

Information on the new drug laws concerning drivers here

Youthlaw - Tino Rangatiratanga Taitamariki - Your rights on the road information here