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Make sure you're prepared for your test Wait times for driver licence tests have increased, so make sure you prepare well for your driver licence test. If you don't pass, you may need to wait a while to get another slot. Check out Drive and the Drive Go app to help you prepare. Drive - everything you need to prepare for your test(external link) If you get a test booking and can't use it, please make sure you cancel. Even an hour's notice will mean someone else can use the slot. |
This is the only website you should use for booking New Zealand practical driving tests.
Here's all the information you need to prepare for your practical driving test, and things you need to do on the day of your test.
The practical driving tests are designed to assess your ability to apply your knowledge of road rules and safe driving practices.
Get lots of practice (we recommend at least 120 hours if you have a learner licence) before you sit a practical test.
The test is 60 minutes long and includes 45 minutes of drive time. The remaining 15 minutes is used to check the safety of the vehicle before driving and to provide feedback after.
You need to demonstrate you have basic driving skills, can recognise and respond to a range of common road hazards and can drive safely in higher speed zones.
About the restricted licence practical test
The full licence test is 30 minutes long and includes 20 minutes of driving.
Test applicants will be expected to be able to apply appropriate hazard and detection responses to all assessable tasks without explanation of what is required by the testing officer, demonstrate good driving skills in more complex situations and maintain safe driving behaviours across a wide variety of traffic situations and road conditions.
About the full licence practical test
Our practical test guides provide detailed information about the Class 1 (car) driver licence tests. They shouldn't take the place of well-structured and comprehensive lesson plans together with high levels of supervised driving experience in a broad range of driving situations.
Restricted licence test guide
Full licence test guide
Driving skills syllabus
Watch our Drive videos for more helpful information about the driver licence tests.
To get your motorcycle restricted licence you'll need to either successfully complete the 60 minute restricted practical riding test or present a CBTA 6R certificate.
To apply for your class 6 full licence you'll need to either successfully complete the 30 minute full practical riding test or present a CBTA 6F certificate.
Find out how to get your motorcycle licence
Motorcycle practical riding tests
Competency-based training and assessment (CBTA)
If you plan to sit your motorcycle restricted licence test, make sure you have plenty of practice (including at least 120 hours on your learner licence) to prepare for the test.
The test can’t be rushed. If you’re late, your test will be cancelled and you’ll have to rebook. If you're applying for a car licence, you may have to pay another test fee.
Allow an extra 30 minutes before your test, or visit a driver licensing agent the day before, to complete the application requirements (eg having your photo taken and eyesight checked).
Check what time the licensing agent opens on the day of your test. If your test is early in the morning and the agent isn't open, you won't be able to complete the application requirements. You'll need to visit an agent on a day before your test.
Not all test sites have driver licensing agents. This means that if your test is booked at a testing-only site, you'll need to visit a driver licensing agent at another location to complete the application requirements before your new licence can be issued.
Find a driver licensing agent in your area
Make sure that your photo driver licence is current and that you have it with you.
If you arrive for the test and your licence isn’t current or you don’t have it with you, you won’t be able to sit the test. You’ll need to rebook.
The testing officer will look over your vehicle before the test to ensure it is roadworthy.
They’ll check things like the tyres, indicators and brakelights.
They’ll also make sure your vehicle has a current warrant of fitness (WoF) or certificate of fitness (CoF), a valid licence label, and a road user charges (RUC) licence if required.
If your vehicle isn’t roadworthy, you won’t be able to take the test (even if it has a current WoF or CoF). You’ll need to rebook.
Vehicles displaying trade plates or being driven on a space-saver tyre cannot be used to sit a practical driving test.
See the list of things that will be checked before your test can go ahead
When you sit a practical driving test you can choose to have a support person with you during the test.
Information you need to know if you want to take a support person
The testing officer may use a recording device to record your practical test.
This is so we can audit testing officers and investigate complaints.
If you don’t want your test to be recorded, please tell the testing officer.
If you want to change or cancel your test time, you can do this online or at a driver licensing agent. If you're changing or cancelling a test for a car licence, there may be a fee.
Change or rebook your test online
If you rebook at a driver licensing agent, you'll need to complete an application form. You can print it yourself or pick one up at the agent.
Application to rebook a driver licence test (DL22) form [PDF, 91 KB]
Check the items on this list to make sure you have it all ready
