The Government is making changes to the car driver licensing system (class 1).
These changes happen on 25 January 2027. Until then, you still need to follow the current process to get your learner, restricted or full licence.
Infographic showing graduated driver licensing system changes [PDF, 85 KB]
If you're under 25, the time you have to hold your learner licence will change from 6 months to 12 months.
You can reduce the learner period back to 6 months by:
The Director of Land Transport will set the amount of required driving hours and approve learner courses later this year.
If you're 25 and over, your learner period will still be 6 months.
The time you have to hold your restricted licence will reduce from 18 months to 12 months.
You won't be able to reduce the restricted period by doing an advanced driving course.
Your restricted period will still be 6 months.
You won't be able to reduce the restricted period by doing an advanced driving course.
If you get demerit points on your restricted licence, your restricted period will extend by 6 months each time.
Example
If you're under 25 and you get demerit points, 6 months will be added to your restricted period, so you'll have to hold your restricted licence for 18 months before you can move on to your full licence.
If you then get demerit points on another occasion, another 6 months will be added to your restricted period. You'll have to hold your restricted licence for 2 years before you can move on to your full.
The hazard perception part of the full practical test will move into the restricted practical test.
Information about hazard detection on Drive(external link)
You won't need to have an eyesight check to get your restricted licence.
The restricted licence application fee will reduce from $167.50 to $160.50.
You won't have to sit a practical driving test to get a full car licence.
You won't need to have an eyesight check to get your full licence.
The full licence application fee will reduce from $98.90 to $25.90.
NZTA is still working through the process for people to get their full licence in the new system. We'll add more information to this page closer to the time.
A zero alcohol limit for all learner and restricted car drivers will be introduced, regardless of their age.
This requires a different legislation change process, with a date yet to be confirmed.
If you already have a learner or restricted licence on 25 January 2027, the new rules will apply to you.
More information for people with a learner or restricted licence on 27 January 2027
Until 25 January 2027, you still need to follow the current process to get your learner, restricted or full licence.
Roadmap showing the process to get a car licence from 25 January 2027
Infographic showing graduated driver licensing system changes [PDF, 85 KB]
NZTA and the Ministry of Transport are working on the new legislation to enable these changes. NZTA is also working on the new processes needed for this rule change.
We'll add more information about our new processes to our website after the legislation has been finalised. This is expected to be in March 2026.
NZTA will have strengthened oversight of approved course providers.
We'll have more information for course providers closer to the time.
The Director of Land Transport will initiate a review of theory tests and restricted practical tests to make sure they're fit-for-purpose.
NZTA will raise awareness of the Drive programme. Developed by NZTA and ACC, Drive is designed to help people learning how to drive and support people teaching others how to drive.
Drive - the official way to learn to drive(external link)
You won't need to have an eyesight check to get a motorcycle (class 6) restricted or full licence.
The Government proposed changes to the car driver licensing system in early 2025, and the final changes have now been announced.
The changes aim to make it cheaper and easier to gain a licence, while making sure drivers have the skills to drive safely.
Reasons behind changing the car licence system - Ministry of Transport website(external link)
