Learner Licence NZ: Rules, Theory Test, Fees and the 2027 Changes

A New Zealand car learner licence is the first stage of the graduated driver licensing system: you can apply from age 16, must pass a theory test, and can then drive only with a supervisor beside you. As at 26 October 2026 the current rules still apply, but the minimum learner period for under 25s rises from 6 to 12 months on 25 January 2027, and that longer period already affects anyone who got a learner licence from 25 July 2026.

This is general information about New Zealand law, not legal advice. For your situation, check with NZTA, consult a lawyer, or contact your local Community Law centre.

How to get a learner licence

You must be at least 16 years old before you can apply. You apply in person at a driver licensing agent, and the process involves:

• completing the application form (DL1) and showing acceptable ID
• passing an eyesight check
• having your photo and signature taken
• paying the application fee
• sitting the theory test

The theory test is taken on a computer and has 35 multi-choice questions, covering general road code questions and specialist questions about driving cars. You need at least 32 correct answers to pass.

When you pass, the agent gives you a temporary learner licence valid for 21 days, and your photo licence card is posted to you. NZTA says a learner licence is valid for 10 years.

Learner licence fees (as at 26 October 2026)

NZTA's fees page says car licence test fees changed from 8 July 2024. If you fail the theory test twice on the same day, you must wait 10 working days before sitting it again. Changing a test within 2 full working days of the test date counts as one of your included tests.

Learner licence conditions

Once you hold a learner licence, NZTA sets out these conditions:

• No driving alone. You can only drive a car when a supervisor is sitting beside you.
• L plates. Your car must display learner (L) plates on the front and the back. Driver licensing agents sell them.
• Passengers. You may carry passengers, but your supervisor must agree, because they are responsible for them.
• Carry your licence. You must always have your licence with you when you drive.

A common belief is that learners cannot carry any passengers. That is not what NZTA says: passengers are allowed, provided the supervisor agrees and is sitting beside the learner.

Who can be a supervisor

To supervise a learner, a person must:

• hold a current and valid full New Zealand driver licence
• not have a supervisor condition on their New Zealand licence
• have held a full New Zealand licence for at least 2 years, or an equivalent overseas licence for at least 2 years

Alcohol limits

If you are under 20, you must not drive after drinking any alcohol. If you are 20 or over, the adult limits apply: 250 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath, or 50 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood. See the drink driving limits guide for how those limits are enforced.

The government has announced a zero alcohol limit for all learner and restricted drivers regardless of age. NZTA says this needs a separate law change and no date has been confirmed, so it is not part of the January 2027 changes.

Penalties for breaking learner conditions

NZTA states these penalties for the two most common learner breaches:

Police can also stop you from driving until you can meet your licence conditions, make you drive straight home, take your keys, or clamp your vehicle or have it moved. Depending on the offence and how serious it is, NZTA lists other possible consequences including impoundment, losing your licence and, for the most serious offences, prison.

Demerit points build up on your licence record, as explained in the demerit points guide. Using a handheld phone carries its own penalty, covered in the mobile phone while driving guide.

How long you stay on a learner licence

The current system (until 24 January 2027)

You must hold your learner licence for at least 6 months before you can sit the restricted licence test. The restricted licence has a minimum age of 16 and a half.

From 25 January 2027

The Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Amendment Rule 2026 (SL 2026/79), made on 7 April 2026, changes the car licence system from 25 January 2027, with a demerit transition from 7 May 2026 and course-provider changes from 30 September 2026. NZTA says the current process continues to apply until then.

For learners, the main change is:

• Under 25: the minimum learner period rises from 6 months to 12 months.
• 25 and over: the minimum learner period stays at 6 months.

The new rules apply to everyone who holds a learner or restricted licence on 25 January 2027, not only new applicants.

Why 25 July 2026 matters

Because the 12 month period starts on 25 January 2027, NZTA explains the effect on current learners by the date they got their learner licence:

NZTA has an online calculator that estimates when you can go for your restricted licence, using the issue date on your learner licence card or in the NZTA app.

Reducing the learner period back to 6 months

From 25 January 2027, an under 25 learner will be able to reduce the 12 month period back to 6 months by either:

• completing an approved learner licence course, or
• logging supervised driving hours.

NZTA says learner licence courses will be available from 25 January 2027, and logging can start on that date. Practice done before 25 January 2027 will not count toward the reduction. NZTA has said the hours requirement will be up to 60 hours, with the exact requirement set by the Director of Land Transport; check NZTA for the final rules and logging method before relying on a number. NZTA still recommends 120 hours of practice before going for a restricted licence.

What changes after the learner stage

The same Rule changes the later stages of the licence from 25 January 2027. These are listed here so learners can plan ahead; none of them applies before that date, apart from the demerit transition described below the table.

Restricted drivers should also note a transitional rule that is already in force. If you get demerit points on your restricted licence between 7 May 2026 and 24 January 2027, 6 months could be added to your restricted period on 25 January 2027, each time you get demerits. This does not apply if you move to your full licence before 25 January 2027.

The changes do not affect people converting an overseas driver licence to a New Zealand licence.

For other road rules, see the New Zealand driving law guides or the New Zealand laws overview.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old do you have to be to get a learner licence in NZ?

You must be at least 16 years old before you can apply for a car learner licence. The minimum age is the same under the current system and after the changes on 25 January 2027.

How much does a learner licence cost in NZ?

As at 26 October 2026, NZTA lists the learner licence application fee as $96.10. It includes your first theory test and a second test if you need one. If you need 3 or more tests, each further test costs $54.60.

How many questions are in the learner licence theory test?

The theory test has 35 multi-choice questions on the road code and on driving cars. You need at least 32 correct answers to pass. If you fail twice on the same day, you must wait 10 working days before sitting it again.

Can a learner driver carry passengers in New Zealand?

Yes. NZTA says learners may carry passengers, but the supervisor must agree, because the supervisor is responsible for them. The supervisor must still be sitting beside the learner.

How long do you have to stay on your learner licence?

Under the current system, 6 months. From 25 January 2027, under 25s must hold a learner licence for 12 months, reducible to 6 months with an approved course or logged supervised hours. An under 25 who got a learner licence from 25 July 2026 has a 12 month minimum unless they use that reduction. Someone who got it before 25 July 2026 needs 6 months, but if they have not got a restricted licence by 25 January 2027, their minimum becomes 12 months from the date they got their learner licence. Drivers 25 and over stay at 6 months.

Who can supervise a learner driver?

A supervisor must hold a current and valid full New Zealand driver licence, must not have a supervisor condition on that licence, and must have held a full New Zealand licence, or an equivalent overseas licence, for at least 2 years.

What happens if a learner drives without a supervisor?

NZTA lists the penalty as a $100 fine and 35 demerit points. Police can also stop the learner driving until they can meet their licence conditions, make them drive straight home, take their keys, or clamp or move the vehicle.

Can learner drivers drink any alcohol before driving?

Drivers under 20 must not drive after drinking any alcohol. Learners aged 20 or over are subject to the adult limits of 250 micrograms per litre of breath or 50 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood. The government has announced a zero alcohol limit for all learner and restricted drivers regardless of age, but NZTA says it needs a separate law change and no date has been confirmed.

How long is a learner licence valid for?

NZTA says a learner licence is valid for 10 years. After passing the theory test, the agent issues a temporary learner licence valid for 21 days while the photo licence card is posted out.