New Zealand driver licensing system

Why have driver licences?

The New Zealand driver licensing system makes sure everyone driving on our roads has the skills and knowledge needed to be a safe driver. The safer drivers are, the safer our roads will be.

A licence to drive a motor vehicle is only given to people who pass the driver licence tests and show an understanding of the rights and safety of others.

Photo driver licences help identify drivers. The police can check that people on learner and restricted licences are following the conditions of their licence and they also help catch unlicensed and disqualified drivers.

What does a New Zealand driver licence look like?

The front of your licence has your photo and other personal details.

The back of your licence shows the vehicles you’re allowed to drive and any conditions that may apply.

Licence conditions

If your licence is issued with conditions on it, you must follow them when you drive, otherwise you could get a ticket, demerit points and a fine.

Demerit points

Common conditions include always wearing correcting lenses, such as glasses, when driving, only driving automatic vehicles, or only driving specially adapted vehicles. A condition can apply to all or some of the classes and endorsements you hold.

Note: learner and restricted licence conditions aren’t on your licence.

Learner licence conditions

Restricted licence conditions

Driver licence classes

There are 6 classes of driver licence in Aotearoa New Zealand. Each class covers different types and weights of vehicle because the skills you need to drive a heavy vehicle or motorcycle are different from driving a car.

Driver licence classes and what you can drive

To drive a car, you’ll need a class 1 licence.

Class 1 – Car

Class 1 learner or restricted licence holders can drive:

• a vehicle with a gross laden weight (GLW) or gross combined weight (GCW) of 4500kg or less, including tractors or combination vehicles, but not including motorcycles
• a moped or all-terrain vehicle
• a motorhome or tradesperson’s vehicle with a GLW of 6000kg or less and an on-road weight of 4500kg or less.

Class 1 restricted licence holders can also drive:

• an agricultural tractor that has a GLW of 18,000kg or less, if driven at 40km/h or less
• an agricultural tractor towing an agricultural trailer that has a GCW of 25,000kg or less, if driven at 40km/h or less.

Class 1 full licence holders can drive:

• a vehicle with a GLW or GCW of 6000kg or less, including tractors and combination vehicles, but not including motorcycles
• a moped or all-terrain vehicle
• a motorhome or tradesperson's vehicle with a GLW of 6000kg or less
• a forklift* with a GLW of 18,000kg or less
• a special-type vehicle* that runs on rollers or self-laying tracks and has a GLW of 18,000kg or less
• a special-type vehicle* that runs on wheels and has a GLW of 6000kg or less
• a special-type vehicle* that runs on wheels and has a GLW of 6001kg to 18,000kg, if driven at:
  
  • 40km/h or less if it's a special-type agricultural motor vehicle
  • 30km/h or less if it's any other special-type vehicle
• a tractor with a GLW of 6001kg to 18,000kg, if driven at:
  
  • 40km/h or less if it's an agricultural tractor
  • 30km/h or less if it's any other tractor
• a tractor/trailer combination vehicle with a GCW of 25,000kg or less, if driven at:
  
  • 40km/h or less if it's an agricultural tractor towing an agricultural trailer
  • 30km/h or less if it's any other tractor towing a trailer and used in non-agricultural land management operations
• an agricultural tractor with a GLW of 6001kg to 18,000kg, with a special-type vehicle endorsement
• an agricultural tractor/trailer with a GCW of 25,000kg or less, with a special-type vehicle endorsement.

*You also need an endorsement to drive these vehicles.

Note: if you drive a tractor, you’ll need to hold the right class of licence for the weight of the tractor, but you won’t need a special-type endorsement.

Classes 2 to 5 cover trucks and other heavy vehicles.

Heavy vehicle road code

Class 6 covers motorcycles.

Motorcycle road code

Licence endorsements

To safely drive some vehicles or provide certain services, you need to have special knowledge or training. A licence endorsement on your driver licence shows that you've completed the courses or qualifications you need for that endorsement.

These are the types of endorsement you can get and what they allow you to do:

Getting an endorsement