The Government has confirmed a raft of changes to New Zealand’s driver licence testing regime, including ending the need for Kiwis to undergo a practical test to attain their full licence.
Changes, the first to the testing regime since 2011, were announced last year ahead of public consultation. Those confirmed today differ slightly from the original proposals, after feedback from submitters.
The new system is expected to come into effect from January 25, 2027. Until then, New Zealanders will need to follow the current licensing requirements.
The changes announced by the Government today:
Transport Minister Chris Bishop said New Zealand is an outlier internationally in requiring a second practical driving test when moving from restricted to full.
“Removing the second practical test reduces costs and makes it easier to progress to a full licence, provided drivers demonstrate safe driving behaviour while on their restricted licence.
“Changes to the learner and restricted periods will support young drivers to gain more experience early on, without extending the overall time they spend in the system.”
Altogether, the changes are expected to make it “significantly cheaper” to get a full licence.
“Under the current system, the total cost of getting a Class 1 car licence is $362.50. Under the new system, the total cost will be $282.50, a saving of $80,” Bishop said.
The minister said more than 4000 submissions were received during the public consultation last year.
“The Government carefully considered the feedback from submitters and agreed to a number of refinements to the original proposals, including extending the learner period, extending the restricted period by six months for drivers who get demerit points rather than resetting it entirely, and keeping the existing demerit threshold for licence suspension for restricted drivers,” Bishop said.
“These changes strike the right balance between cost, efficiency and road safety. Drivers are still expected to prove they can drive safely and responsibly, including maintaining a clean demerit record, before progressing to a full licence.”
The removal of the full licence test will apply to Class 1 (car) licences only. The changes to the eyesight screening apply to Class 1 and Class 6 (motorcycle) licences.
The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) will review existing learner and restricted tests to ensure they are fit for purpose. The hazard perception part of the full licence test will be moved to the restricted test.
There are no changes to the processes and requirements for overseas or senior drivers.
The changes confirmed today will be reviewed three years after they are implemented to assess their impact on road safety, as well as their employment and economic impacts.
The Ministry of Social Development has a Driver Licence Support programme to help jobseekers get their licence.
In the past year, it has secured 21,063 enrolments, ahead of a target of 19,000. Youth aged between 18 and 24 make up nearly 40% of the participants, with the overall pass rate of the programme being 82%.
Social Development Minister Louise Upston said around 70% of jobs require someone to have a driver licence, which she said reinforced the importance of investment in driver licence training.
“We hear many successful stories of how a driver licence has been a turning point in contributing to a change in circumstances – getting a job, being able to care for and support family, and driving legally," said Upston.
“Programmes like Driver Licence Support ultimately make for safer and stronger families and communities.”
Jamie Ensor is the NZ Herald’s chief political reporter, based in the press gallery at Parliament. He was previously a TV reporter and digital producer in the Newshub press gallery office. He was a finalist in 2025 for Political Journalist of the Year at the Voyager Media Awards.