Driver licensing fees changed from 1 October 2023

From 1 October 2023, driver licensing fees have changed. 

Waka Kotahi funding and fees changes

New or additional class of licence

You only have to pay an application fee when you apply.

Even if you complete an approved course, the application fee is the same. 

You don't need to pay any extra test fees. Changing, rebooking or cancelling your test is free. 

Class Application fee
Car (class 1)
Learner $96.10
Restricted $167.50
Full  $98.90
Heavy vehicles (class 2-5)
Class 2, 3 or 5 learner $77.50
Class 4 learner  $27.10
Class 2, 3, 4 or 5 full $39.80
Motorcycle (class 6)
Learner $90.60
Restricted  $54.20
Full  $47.40

Overseas conversion

Non-exempt country

If your licence is from a non-exempt country, you only have to pay an application fee depending on the New Zealand class you're converting to.  

You don't need to pay any extra test fees. Changing, rebooking or cancelling your test is free. 

Class or stage you're converting to Application fee
Car (class 1)
Learner $96.10
Restricted $213.20
Full $144.60
Truck (class 2-5)
Learner $123.20
Full $85.50
Motorcycle (class 6)
Learner $90.60
Restricted $99.90
Full $93.10

Exempt country

If your licence is from an exempt country, you pay an application fee depending on the New Zealand class you're converting to.  

If you need to sit any tests, you'll pay a one-off test fee for each test type when you book the test. Changing, rebooking or cancelling your test is free. 

You may need to sit a test if: 

  • you've held your overseas licence for less than 2 years, or 
  • you're converting a truck licence.

Requirements for converting a licence from an exempt country

Class or stage your're converting to Application fee
Car (class 1)
Learner $26.40
Restricted $25.80
Full $26.40
Truck (class 2-5)
Learner $27.10
Full $29.50
Motorcycle (class 6)
Learner $26.40
Restricted $28.10
Full $28.30
Test One-off test fee
Theory $45.70
Restricted $86.60
Full $59.90

New P V I O endorsement application

The application fee is the same fo 1 year or 5 years. 

If you need an ID card, the fee for this is included in the application fee. 

If you need to sit a practical test, you just pay a one-off test fee when you book the test. Changing, rebooking or cancelling your test is free.

Type Duration Application fee1 Vetting fee2 Total Test fee1 Certification fee3
Small P 1 year $213.90 $9.70  $223.60 - -
5 years $48.50  $262.40 - -
Large P 1 year $203.10 $9.70  $212.80 - -
5 years $9.70  $212.80 - -
V 1 year $198.90 $9.70  $208.60 $59.90 -
5 years $48.50  $247.40 $59.90 -
I 1 year  $188.90 $9.70  $198.60 $59.90 -
5 years $48.50  $237.40 $59.90 -
O 1 year  $188.90 $9.70  $198.60 - $476.30
5 years $48.50  $237.40 - $476.30

If you're applying for more than one endorsement at the same time, you'll pay only 1 application fee and 1 test fee.

You only have to sit the test if you haven't sat a class 1 full licence test in the last 5 years. You'll pay the test fee when you book the test. There are no fees to change, cancel or rebook the test if you need to. 

The vetting fee is $9.70 per year, unless you're applying for a large P endorsement to only drive large passenger service vehicles. Then you only pay the vetting fee every fifth year.
Please pay the certification fee at your nearest Waka Kotahi regional office.

Replacements

Application type Application fee
Replacement licence $26.30
Replacement ID card $27.60
Extension of driver licence expiry date from overseas $27.60

Exemptions

Application type Application fee
Exemption application $100.00

D, F, R, T, W endorsements

Application type Application fee
New F R T W endorsement $62.10
New D endorsement $20.70

Sanctions

Application type Application fee 
Limited licence $48.70
Licence reinstatement $48.00
Licence reinstatement with requalification (tests) $100.101
Alcohol interlock licence $31.302
Zero alcohol licence $37.302

1 If you're applying to reinstate a licence that's been disqualified for 12 months or more, you'll also need to sit a theory test and practical test. This is included in the application fee, and changing, rebooking or cancelling your test is free. 

2 If you're applying for an alcohol interlock licence or zero alcohol licence, and you need to sit tests, you'll also need to pay a theory test fee and practical test fee. You'll pay a one-off test fee when you book each test type for the first time. Changing, rebooking or cancelling your test is free. 

Test Test fee
Theory test fee $45.70
Restricted practical test fee $86.60
Full practical test fee $59.90

Driver licence information

Application type Application fee
Certificate of particulars Free
Demerit point and suspension history Free

Changing or cancelling your test

If you need to change, cancel, or rebook your test, it's free. 

How do I apply for a refund of driver licensing fees?

Because there are now no fees to change or rebook a test, most people won't need to apply for a refund. 

If you won't be continuing with your application due to special circumstances, you may be able to apply for a refund.

Contact Waka Kotahi about how to apply for a refund