There is a wide range of resources available to you if you’re learning to drive, or you want to help someone learn.
The graduated driver licensing system is designed to provide you with the skills and experience to become a safer driver on New Zealand roads.
You can use the resources on this page to help you gain confidence behind the wheel. With regular practice you can achieve your full licence, opening up many employment and training opportunities where driving is essential or helpful.
Here is some information you may find helpful to complete each stage of the graduate driving licence system:
| Before you start | Learner licence | Restricted licence | Full licence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drive – learner’s licence(external link) | |||
| Pathways Awarua(external link) | |||
| Pathways Awarua(external link) | Driver licensing credits (NCEA)(external link) | ||
Visit the Drive website for frequently asked questions on the restricted and full practical tests, plus more information and tips on progressing through the graduated driver licence system.
Find out about licence fees, including conditions, changing or cancelling your test, and replacement licence costs.
Below is information on programmes currently running that are specifically set up to help drivers through the driver licensing process. You may be interested in using this information in your own community.
The Community Mentor Driver Programme (CDMP) is designed to help young people overcome barriers to achieve their restricted licence. The programme model relies on community collaboration between local organisations, volunteer mentors and young drivers.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, with partner and sponsor support, helped to initially develop and support six CDMPs around New Zealand. If you are interested in setting up and running a CDMP for your local community, the following resources are available to assist you:
Drive is a free website and learning tool designed to help young people become safe, capable drivers. There are games and quizzes in an interactive road code, free video lessons and driving tips, and video guides to the practical tests. Plus you can read coaching guides to help you teach someone to drive.
Drive was created by Waka Kotahi and ACC.
Students can earn credits that can be applied to the qualifications framework by passing tests for the Class 1 driver licence. If a student is currently enrolled in a school or tertiary education organisation, they can show their licence (learner, restricted or full) to have it authenticated. The school or tertiary organisation then reports the credits on behalf of Waka Kotahi to NZQA.
More information is available on New Zealand Qualifications Authority website(external link).
Pathways Awarua(external link) is a tool developed by New Zealand’s Tertiary Education Commission to support adult learners in strengthening numeracy and reading and writing competencies. From 2016, the Ministry of Education has supported its use in state and integrated schools with year 9–13 students.
Waka Kotahi worked with Pathways Awarua to develop a Road Code learning module.
