At the same time, those who obtain or renew their learner or restricted licence from today will have to progress to the next licence stage within five years or face sitting another theory test to renew their licence again.
NZTA road safety director Ernst Zollner said the changes will encourage novice drivers and motorcyclists to gain their full licence within a reasonable timeframe.
"The purpose of the Graduated Driver Licensing System is for novice drivers and riders to progress from a learner to a full licence by gradually gaining the skills and experience needed to drive safely - and to demonstrate that they have gained those skills by passing a practical driving test on the way to gaining a full licence," he said.
"The restrictions that apply to learner and restricted licences are there to ensure that novice drivers gain experience and skills under low-risk conditions. Drivers who stay at one licence stage indefinitely aren't demonstrating that they've gained the skills and competence to drive safely.
"Many offences for breaching licence conditions are committed by drivers who have held a learner or restricted licence for an extended time."
The changes are part of the Government's broader Safer Journeys strategy, which aims to significantly reduce deaths and injuries on New Zealand's roads.
The new time limit comes as other recent measures to improve the safety of young drivers have been introduced, including raising the minimum licensing age from 15 to 16, the introduction of a zero alcohol limit for teen drivers and the rollout of more challenging practical driver tests to gain restricted and full licences.
* Further details on all of the changes can be found on the NZTA website at www.nzta.govt.nz
