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.
This information is now available in the driver licensing section of our website.
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
Changed the How much does it cost to get your class 1 driver licence? section:
Your application fee includes your first test, and a second test if you need it.
For example, a learner licence application includes 2 theory tests, and a restricted licence application includes 2 restricted practical tests.
If you need 3 tests or more, you'll need to pay a test fee for each test.
All fees include GST and are non-refundable.
| Car (class 1) | Application fee (includes 2 tests) | Test fee for each test from 3rd attempt |
| Learner | $96.10 | $54.60 |
| Restricted | $167.50 | $102.80 |
| Full | $98.90 | $71.90 |
If you need to change, cancel or rebook your test, you may need to pay a fee. If you do it at least 2 full working days in advance, the fees will be lower.
Fees to change or rebook a test
How to get your driver licence - updated road code content
Deleted this text:
Note: this amount doesn’t include fees for re-sitting tests if you fail the first time. If you need to re-sit a test you’ll need to pay another test fee, but you won’t be charged another application fee.
Changing or cancelling your test
You’ll have to pay a further fee if you want to change or cancel your test.
Where there are 2 or more completely working days between the day you change or cancel your test and the date of your appointment, you’ll need to pay a rescheduling fee of $16.40.
This covers the time and costs included when a test is cancelled or rescheduled.
Where there are less than 2 complete working days between the day you change or cancel your test and the date of your appointment, you won’t pay a rescheduling fee but you’ll need to pay another test fee.
You can apply for a refund of the first test fee paid. If the test time is filled by another person. Then the test fee may be partly refunded – a processing fee of $16.40 will be deducted.
Updated How do I apply for a learner licence? section to:
You’ll need to go to a driver licensing agent to:
If you don't pass the theory test the first time, you can rebook to sit it again. You can sit it a second time without having to pay any extra fees. If you need to sit it 3 times or more, you'll need to pay a test fee of $54.60 each time.
Added this text:
If you fail the test twice on the same day, you’ll need to wait 10 working days before you can sit the test again. This is to give you more time to learn the road rules, and to make sure other people also have a chance to take their test.
Added Thai language to the theory test options.
Stage 1 – learner licence - updated road code content
Updated the How do I apply for a restricted licence section to:
To get your restricted licence, you need to pass the restricted licence practical driving test.
To book your restricted licence practical driving test, you must either:
OR
Book your practical test online(external link)
If you book online, you’ll need to complete the application process at a driver licensing agent before your new licence can be issued. You should allow at least 30 minutes before or after your test to do this.
Check the agent opening hours, as they may not be open 30 minutes before your test appointment. In that case you can complete the application process before the day of the test or after the test.
Restricted licence practical driving test
If you don't pass the restricted test the first time, you can rebook to sit it again. You can sit it a second time without having to pay any extra fees. If you need to sit it 3 times or more, you'll need to pay a test fee of $102.80 each time.
Stage 2 – restricted licence - update road code content
Updated the How do I apply for a full licence section to:
To get your full licence, you need to pass the full licence practical driving test.
To book your full licence practical driving test, you must either:
OR
Book your practical test online(external link)
If you book online, you’ll need to complete the application process at a driver licensing agent before your new licence can be issued. You should allow at least 30 minutes before or after your test to do this.
Check the agent opening hours, as they may not be open 30 minutes before your test appointment. In that case, you can complete the application process before the day of the test or after the test.
The full licence practical driving test
If you don't pass the full practical test the first time, you can rebook to sit it again. You can sit it a second time without having to pay any extra fees. If you need to sit it 3 times or more, you'll need to pay a test fee of $71.90 each time.
Stage 3 – full licence - updated road code content
Updated image: 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. 
Passing on the right - updated road code content
Added new beach and river variable speed limit signs.
These speed limit signs can be used at beaches or rivers. If pedestrians are present, the speed limit is 30km/h. If there are no pedestrians, the speed limit is 60km/h.
Beach and river variable speed limit signs - updated road code content
Added text about reflective warning triangles, and made it clearer that Police use Crash and Accident warning signs rather than reflective triangles at crash sites.
At a crash site the police may use signs, flashing lights and flares to warn approaching drivers.
When coming up to a crash site, slow down and drive carefully. The road may be blocked and there could be injured people lying on it.
Police put these signs near a crash site. They mean you must ride at 20km/h or less until you pass the crash site. Watch out for emergency workers and injured people.
This is a reflective warning triangle. It means there's a breakdown or crash ahead. Anyone can put a warning triangle on the side of the road to warn other road users.
Crash warning signs - update road code content
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 removed information that isn't essential to preparing for a learner test, and it's available on our website instead.
We also updated most of the pictures to make them clearer for learner drivers. The pictures were 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.
