Updates to the general road code

This page lists any updates to The official New Zealand road code since the last published edition. These changes will usually have been caused by a legislation change.

The current version of The official New Zealand road code is 2023.

Road code changes

In November 2022 we released the 2023 version of The official New Zealand road code

This road code has had a refresh to make it more accessible for learner drivers. 

We've removed information that isn't essential to preparing for a learner test, and it's available on our website instead. 

We've also updated most of the pictures to make them clearer for learner drivers. The pictures will also be updated in the computerised theory test from 1 December 2022.

There are no changes to road rules or driving regulations, so learner drivers can still use older versions of the road code to prepare for their test. 

Information we removed

This information is now available in the driver licensing section of our website.

Practical tests

Driving offences and penalties

What you can drive on each class of driver licence

This information is now available in the vehicles section of our website. 

Your responsibilities as the registered person

Vehicle licensing (rego)

Buying and selling a vehicle

Warrants of fitness (WoF)

Image update to page 64 – Passing on the right at an intersection with more than one lane on your side of the road 

We've moved the arrow showing the vehicle in the lane closest to the centre line turning right into the far left lane, to show the vehicle turning into the lane closest to the centre line. 
A blue car and a red car are travelling in the same direction in their own lane. Black arrows show the blue car in the left lane car can travel straight ahead or turn left. A black arrow shows the red car can travel straight ahead or turn right.