There's currently very high demand for driver licence tests. Many people are sitting their test before they're properly ready, and taking several attempts before they pass. This makes wait times to get a test slot even longer.
To address this, we're changing test fees for most car licences from 8 July 2024.
The new fees will encourage applicants to be well prepared before they book and sit their tests. The more test slots you use before you pass, the more you'll need to pay to get your licence. This makes it fairer for everyone to get a test slot and move onto the next stage of their licence.
The fees you pay for a test depend on your application type and the class you're applying for.
The test fees for most car licence applications will change on 8 July 2024.
If you applied for your licence or booked your test online before 8 July, it will still be free to change or rebook your test. You have until 7 October 2024 to pass your test and complete your application. If you haven't passed your test by then, you'll have to start paying the new fees from 8 October 2024.
If you do need to change or cancel your test, please do it as far in advance as possible. Then another person can book the test time.
If you apply for your licence or book your test online from 8 July 2024, your application fee will include your first test, and a second test if you need it. If you need to sit the test 3 times or more, then you'll need to pay a test fee each time.
If you change, cancel or rebook your test, you may need to pay a fee.
Check the specific details for the type of application you're making.
Getting a learner, restricted or full licence
Converting an overseas driver licence
Getting your licence back after a disqualification
Renewing or requalifying your licence after it's expired
Sitting a full licence test for a vehicle recovery (V) or driving instructor (I) endorsement
If you're applying for a learner, restricted or full car licence, from 8 July 2024 your application fee will include your first test, and a second test if you need it.
For example a learner licence application will include 2 theory tests, and a restricted licence application will include 2 restricted practical tests.
If you need 3 tests or more, you'll need to pay a test fee for each test.
| Test type | Test fee for each test from 3rd attempt |
| Theory test | $54.60 |
| Restricted practical test | $102.80 |
| Full practical test | $71.90 |
If you need to change, cancel or rebook your test, you may need to pay a fee
Fees to change or rebook a test
Application fees for learner, restricted and full licences
If you're converting an overseas driver licence to a New Zealand car driver licence, from 8 July 2024 you will need to pay an application fee, and a test fee for each test you sit.
If you miss your test time, fail your test or if your test is terminated, you'll need to pay another test fee when you rebook.
| Overseas conversion application fee | Theory test fee (each time) |
Full practical test fee* (each time) |
| $52.10 | $45.70 | $59.90 |
*If you're converting to a New Zealand restricted licence, you pay the restricted practical test fee of $86.60 instead.
If you need to change, cancel or rebook your test, you may need to pay a fee.
Changing a test for an overseas conversion
How to convert an overseas driver licence
If you're getting your licence back after being disqualified or suspended, from 8 July 2024 your application fee will include 2 theory tests and 2 practical tests.
If you need 3 tests or more of either test type, you'll need to pay a test fee for each test.
| Test type | Test fee for each test from 3rd attempt |
| Theory test | $54.60 |
| Restricted practical test | $102.80 |
| Full practical test | $71.90 |
If you need to change, cancel or rebook your test, you may need to pay a fee.
Fees to change or rebook a test
Application fees for getting your licence back
If you're getting an alcohol interlock licence or zero alcohol licence, and you need to sit tests to get your licence back, your application fee will include 2 theory tests and 2 practical tests.
The application fee at the time you apply will be slightly higher, as it covers both theory and practical tests. Before 8 July, you only pay for the theory test when you apply, and you pay for the practical test later after you've passed your theory test.
If you need 3 tests or more of either test type, you'll need to pay a test fee for each test.
| Test type | Application fee | Theory test fee from 3rd attempt | Practical test fee from 3rd attempt |
| Alcohol interlock licence | $136.90 | $54.60 | $71.90 |
| Zero alcohol licence | $142.90 |
If you're getting a learner or restricted licence back, your fees and tests will be slightly different.
To get a learner licence back, you only need to sit a theory test.
| Test type | Application fee | Theory test fee from 3rd attempt |
| Alcohol interlock licence - learner | $77.00 | $54.60 |
| Zero alcohol licence - learner | $83.00 |
To get a restricted licence back, you sit a restricted practical test instead of the full practical test.
| Test type | Application fee | Theory test fee from 3rd attempt | Practical test fee from 3rd attempt |
| Alcohol interlock licence - learner | $163.60 | $54.60 | $102.80 |
| Zero alcohol licence - learner | $169.60 |
If you need to change, cancel or rebook your test, you may need to pay a fee.
Fees to change or rebook a test
How to get an alcohol interlock or zero alcohol licence
We're not changing the fees to renew or requalify a car licence if it's expired.
If you need to sit an on-road safety test to renew your licence when turning 80 or older, your test is included in your application fee. It's free if you need to change, cancel or rebook your test, but please do it as far in advance as possible so someone else can book the test time.
If you're requalifying your licence because it's been expired more than 5 years, and you need to sit tests, there are no changes to your fees. It'll still be free to change, cancel or rebook your test once you'e paid the one-off application fee. If you do need to change your test, please do it as far in advance as possible so someone else can book the test time.
Fees to renew your licence with an on-road safety test
Fees to requalify your licence after it's been expired more than 5 years
We're not changing the fees to sit a test to get a vehicle recovery (V) or driving instructor (I) endorsement.
After you've paid your one-off test fee as part of your application, it'll still be free to change, cancel or rebook your test. If you do need to change your test, please do it as far in advance as possible so someone else can book the test time.
Fees to get a V or I endorsement
You may need to pay a fee to change or cancel your test if you're:
If you need to change or cancel your test for a car licence, please do it as far in advance as possible. Then another person can book the test slot.
If you change or cancel your test within 2 full working days of the day of your test, this counts as one of your included tests and you may need to pay a test fee for the next test.
| If it's your: | and you change or cancel it: | then you'll pay: |
| 1st test | anytime | $16.40 |
| 2nd test | more than 2 full working days before the day of your test | $16.40 |
| within 2 full working days of your test | $54.60 | |
| 3rd test or more | more than 2 full working days before the day of your test | $16.40 |
| within 2 full working days of your test | $54.60 |
| If it's your: | and you change or cancel it: | and you do it: | then you'll pay: |
| 1st test | anytime | online | nothing |
| at an agent | $16.40 | ||
| 2nd test | more than 2 full working days before the day of your test | online | nothing |
| at an agent | $16.40 | ||
| within 2 full working days of your test | online or at an agent | $102.80 (restricted) or $71.90 (full | |
| 3rd test or more | more than 2 full working days before the day of your test | online | nothing |
| at an agent | $16.40 | ||
| within 2 full working days of your test | online or at an agent | $102.80 (restricted) or $71.90 (full) |
For example, if your first test is booked on Monday, and you cancel it on the Friday beforehand, this counts as your first test. When you rebook your test, this will be your second test.
If you cancel the test, you won't have to pay anything at the time. You'll pay the fee above when you rebook the test.
Change or cancel your practical test online
If you change or cancel your test to convert to a New Zealand car licence, you may have to pay a fee.
If you need to change or cancel your test, please do it as far in advance as possible. Then another person can book the test slot.
If you change or cancel your test more than 2 full working days in advance, the fees you pay will be lower.
| If you change or cancel it: | then you'll pay: |
| more than 2 full working days before the day of your test | $16.40 |
| within 2 full working days of your test | $45.70 |
| If you change or cancel it: | and you do it: | then you'll pay: |
| more than 2 full working days before the day of your test | online | nothing |
| at an agent | $16.40 | |
| within 2 full working days of your test | online or at an agent | $59.90 (full) or $86.60 (restricted) |
Change or cancel your practical test online
We're not changing the rules around truck licence applications (class 2-5).
After you've paid your application fee or one-off test fee, it will still be free to change, cancel or rebook your test.
Please do it as far in advance as possible, so someone else can book the test time.
Change or cancel your practical test online
We're not changing the rules around truck licence applications (class 2-5).
After you've paid your application fee or one-off test fee, it will still be free to change, cancel or rebook your test.
Please do it as far in advance as possible, so someone else can book the test time.
Change or cancel your practical test online
Download Factsheet 83: Changes to fees for car licences (class 1) [PDF, 250 KB]
