Getting my New Zealand driving licence!: Restricted Licence
I’ve been living in New Zealand for quite a while now, and… I finally got my driving licence (Restricted Licence)!! So, I’d like to share the overall process and my personal experience in this article.
The New Zealand driver licensing system
New Zealand currently has a three-stage driver licensing system. In simple terms, it looks like this:
1: Learner’s licence
- This is a “paper” learner licence (a provisional licence).
- Requirements: You need to submit an application form, pass a written test on road rules, and complete an eyesight test and a photo (you must attend in person).
- What you can do: You can practise driving on the road as long as a supervisor is always in the front passenger seat. You must display L plates. There are restrictions on what times you can drive.
2: Restricted licence
- This is a restricted provisional licence.
- Requirements: You must pass a practical driving test. You will need to provide the application form again, and you’ll also need another eyesight test and photo.
- What you can do: You’re allowed to drive on your own. You can also carry passengers if a supervisor is always in the front passenger seat. There are restrictions on what times you can drive.
3: Full licence
- This is your full licence.
- Requirements: You must pass a practical driving test. You will need to provide the application form again, and you’ll also need another eyesight test and photo.
- What you can do: Basically, there are no restrictions.
For more detailed information, see here:
- New Zealand Government (official) site: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/driver-licences
- Study road rules for the Learner’s licence here: https://drive.govt.nz/
- The AA (private service) website is also very helpful: https://www.aa.co.nz/drivers/driver-licences/
Why I recommend getting a licence
If you’re not planning to live in New Zealand permanently, you may be wondering whether it’s worth getting a licence. Here are the application fees: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/driver-licences/licensing-fees/licence-fees
Even if you don’t drive, a Learner’s licence is useful as ID
- The Learner’s licence is relatively easy to get, and it’s extremely handy as an ID card.
- It means you don’t need to carry your passport around all the time.
- It’s also fairly straightforward now because you can study road rules using an app.
- Cost: If you pass on the first attempt, it’s around NZD 100.
A Restricted licence expands your freedom a lot
If you’re living in New Zealand long-term, having a car is incredibly convenient. In fact, outside the major cities (Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch), it can feel like a necessity for everyday life. I live in Auckland, so I managed for a long time using public transport, but honestly, I wish I’d gotten my licence earlier.
The practical test is quite strict. It costs around NZD 160 for the first attempt, and about NZD 100 from the second attempt onwards. Many people end up taking the test more than once.
A Full licence has no restrictions
If you want to drive with passengers freely (without the restrictions), you’ll need a Full Licence. That said, many people are happy staying on a Restricted licence for a while—especially if they just want to be able to drive themselves and don’t feel any urgency to upgrade. For things like car insurance or rentals, having a Full Licence is often an advantage. But the practical test for the Full Licence also seems to be quite strict.
In my case: I was basically a “forever Learner”
In my case, I got my Learner’s licence fairly early, but then I didn’t try for the Restricted licence for years. The main reasons were that my family could drive, and living in Auckland meant I could get around by bus and train…
But I started wanting to be more independent. And I also realised that if anything happened to the family member who could drive, I would really be stuck. That’s why I decided to go for my Restricted Licence this time.
I’ll share what the process was like in the next post (Part 2).
Thank you for reading up to here.
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The Japanese version of this article is available here.
