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The Government has proposed changes to the graduated driver licensing system (GDLS). Any changes will not happen until July 2026. Until then, you still need to follow the current process to get your learner, restricted or full licence. The proposed changes are open for consultation on the Ministry of Transport website. Summary of proposed improvements to New Zealand's GDLS - Ministry of Transport website(external link) |
This page tells you the process to get your car full licence, and what you need to know about holding a full licence.
If you've completed an approved advanced driving course, you can get your full licence once you turn 17½.
If you haven't completed an advanced driving course, you must be 18 before you can get your full licence.
Find an approved advanced driving course near you
If you've completed an advanced driving course, you must have held your restricted licence for at least 12 months before you can get your full licence.
If you haven't completed a course, you must have held your restricted licence for at least 18 months.
If you've completed an advanced driving course, you must have held your restricted licence for at least 3 months before you can get your full licence.
If you haven't completed a course, you must have held your restricted licence for at least 6 months.
To get your full licence, you must apply at a driver licensing agent.
You will need to:
The application fee includes your first full licence practical test, and a second one if you need it. The more prepared you are for the test, the most likely you are to pass and not have to re-sit.
If you need 3 tests or more, you'll need to pay a test fee of $71.90 for each test.
If you need to change or cancel your test, there may be a fee. If you change or cancel it at least 2 whole working days in advance, the fee will be lower.
Fees to change or rebook a test
You can book the test online before you go into the agent. If you book online, you'll still need to go to a driver licensing agent before your test to make your application.
The full licence practical test is a 30 minute test with a testing officer, who will assess whether your driving is good enough to progress to the next level of driver licence.
There’s no fee to change, cancel or rebook a test.
More information about the full licence practical test
Once you've passed the full licence practical test, you don't have to follow any of the restricted licence conditions any more. You can drive any vehicle covered under a class 1.
Full list of vehicles you can drive on a class 1 licence
If you're under 20 years old, you still have a zero alcohol limit even when you've got your full licence.
Download Factsheet 45: Learning to drive – getting your car licence [PDF, 349 KB]
