August 2026
2027 Licence Changes
The Government has confirmed several updates to the car driver licensing system to make it cheaper and more straightforward, while keeping everyone safe on our roads. Most of these changes will take effect on 25 January 2027. Until then, you must follow the current rules to get your licence.
What’s changing?
The biggest update is that you will no longer need to sit a second practical driving test to get your full licence. Instead, the "hazard perception" part of the current full test will be moved into the restricted test. This ensures you are tested on these vital safety skills much earlier in your journey.
Moving through the stages
Here is how the journey will look for under-25s and over-25s from 2027.
Stage 1: Learner licence
- Application: You can still apply for your learner licence from age 16
- Theory test: You must pass the computer-based theory test at a licensing agent
- Time on learners (Under 25s): This period is increasing from six to twelve months. This gives you more time to gain experience with a supervisor.
Note: You can reduce this back to six months by completing a set number of supervised driving hours or an approved practical course.
Time on learners (Over 25s): This stays at six months.
Stage 2: Restricted licence
- Practical test: You must pass the restricted practical test, which will now include hazard perception
- Time on restricted (Under 25s): This is being reduced from 18 months to 12 months
- Time on restricted (Over 25s): This stays at six months
- Demerit points: If you get demerit points while on your restricted licence, your time at this stage will be extended by six months. This encourages safer driving before you move to a full licence.
- Example: If your restricted period was due to finish on 1 November 2026 but you get demerit points on 15 October 2026, six months is added from the date of the demerits, not from 25 January 2027. This pushes your full licence eligibility to 15 April 2027. Multiple demerit events can stack, extending your restricted period further each time.
Stage 3: Full licence
- No practical test: Once you have held your restricted licence for the required time, you can apply for your full licence without sitting another driving test
- Cheaper fees: Because there is no second practical test, the total cost of getting a full car licence will decrease by $80. The restricted licence application fee is also reducing, from $167.50 to $160.50.
Key safety rules
- Zero alcohol: A zero-alcohol limit will apply to all learner and restricted drivers, regardless of their age
- Eyesight checks: You will only need to have your eyesight checked when you first apply for a licence and when you renew it.
What should you do now?
If you are already in the process of getting your licence, keep going.
Since the new rules don't start until 25 January 2027, the current system still applies right now. How the transition affects you depends on when you got your learner licence:
- If you got your learner licence on or before 25 July 2026: You will complete your mandatory six months before the rules change. This means you can sit your practical test and move to your restricted licence before the new system kicks in. Practical test slots fill up fast, so make sure you book early.
- If you got your learner licence after 25 July 2026: You will still be on your learner licence when the new rules take effect on 25 January 2027, meaning you will automatically transition to the new system on that date.
Anyone who holds a learner or restricted licence on 25 January 2027 will transition to the new rules on that date.
What happens on 25 January 2027?
- If you are under 25: Your mandatory learner period increases from six to 12 months. However, you can reduce this waiting time back down to six months by completing an approved learner driving course or logging 60 supervised driving hours.
- If you are 25 or older: Your learner period remains at six months.
How under-25s can shorten the new 12-month learner period
From 25 January 2027, drivers under 25 will face a default 12-month learner period, but you can cut that wait time in half back down to six months through two approved pathways:
- Log 60 supervised driving hours: You can record your practice sessions using an official NZTA digital logbook app. Practice hours can be completed with any qualified supervising driver who has held a full New Zealand driver licence for at least two years, such as a parent, older sibling or family friend
- Complete an approved learner driving course: Structured practical courses delivered by certified NZTA driving instructors will also reduce your wait time. These professional training programmes combine classroom theory, interactive hazard perception modules and a practical in-car driving assessment.
The 60 supervised driving hours option is a new alternative designed to give learner drivers under 25 a practical way to cut their mandatory wait time in half without needing to pay for a formal defensive driving course.
From 25 January 2027, the default learner licence period for under-25s increases from six to 12 months. By completing and logging 60 hours of supervised driving practice, learners can reduce that waiting period back down to the original six months.
How the hours are logged
NZTA is rolling out a dedicated digital logbook tool for learner drivers and their supervisors. This platform allows motorists to record driving sessions, track cumulative practice hours and monitor progress easily.
Who can supervise
The practice hours do not need to be with a paid driving instructor. They can be completed with any qualified supervisor, meaning anyone who has held a full New Zealand driver licence for at least two years. Parents, older siblings or family friends all qualify.
Submitting the records
Once the 60 hours are completed and verified by the supervising driver, the logbook is submitted electronically to Waka Kotahi. This formally updates the driver's record in the system and makes them eligible to sit their restricted practical test as soon as they reach the six-month mark.
Rollout timeline
NZTA ran public consultation on the specific recording rules and conditions through mid-2026. The finalised digital logbook app and complete operational guidelines are rolling out ahead of the 25 January 2027 system launch.
An approved driving course is a structured, professional training programme certified by NZTA Waka Kotahi designed to accelerate a driver's progress through the licensing system while teaching advanced hazard perception and safety skills.
How these courses apply depends on whether you are using one under the current rules or under the new 2027 system.
How approved courses work (Current vs 2027)
- Under the current rules (until 25 January 2027): Approved courses such as the AA Defensive Driving Course or Street Talk, are designed for restricted licence holders. Completing one reduces the mandatory time spent on a restricted licence from 18 months down to 12 months.
- Under the new 2027 rules: Because the restricted period for under-25s is automatically dropping to 12 months, defensive driving courses will no longer reduce restricted licence time. Instead, NZTA is introducing approved learner driving courses (as an alternative to logging supervised practice hours) to allow learner drivers under 25 to reduce their new 12-month learner wait time back down to six months.
NZTA is finalising the exact curriculum and approved providers for these specific learner courses later in 2026.
Is this with a professional driving instructor?
Yes. Approved courses must be delivered by certified, professional driving instructors and classroom facilitators who are registered with and audited by NZTA. A parent or regular driving supervisor cannot teach these modules or sign off on course completion.
How many sessions will I need?
While NZTA is still finalising the exact syllabus for the new 2027 learner reduction courses, approved driving courses in New Zealand currently follow a standardised nine-hour format broken down into five core sessions:
- Four classroom theory sessions: These are two-hour group sessions (eight hours total) typically spread over two to three weeks. They focus on hazard perception, situational awareness, risk management and visual scanning techniques using real-life New Zealand road scenarios
- One practical in-car session: A one-hour, one-on-one driving session with a professional driving instructor in a dual-control or approved vehicle. The instructor assesses the driver's practical safety skills and hazard identification on public roads to ensure the classroom theory translates behind the wheel
- Online learning modules: Most providers (such as the AA) also include a mandatory online interactive simulation module (like eDrive) that students must pass before sitting their one-on-one practical drive.
Once all classroom sessions, online modules and the practical drive are successfully completed, the course provider issues an official certificate. This certificate is presented to a driver licensing agent (such as an AA Centre or VTNZ) to formally reduce the mandatory licence wait time.
