There is a wide range of resources available to you if you’re learning to drive, or you want to help someone learn.
The graduated driver licensing system
The graduated driver licensing system is designed to provide you with the skills and experience to become a safer driver on New Zealand roads.
You can use the resources on this page to help you gain confidence behind the wheel. With regular practice you can achieve your full licence, opening up many employment and training opportunities where driving is essential or helpful.
Learning to drive
Here is some information you may find helpful to complete each stage of the graduate driving licence system:
| Before you start | Learner licence | Restricted licence | Full licence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver licensing credits (NCEA) | Pathways Awarua | Driver licensing credits (NCEA) | |
Visit the Drive website for frequently asked questions on the restricted and full practical tests, plus more information and tips on progressing through the graduated driver licence system.
What fees you will need to pay
Find out about licence fees , including conditions, changing or cancelling your test, and replacement licence costs.
Driver licensing support programmes
Below is information on programmes currently running that are specifically set up to help drivers through the driver licensing process. You may be interested in using this information in your own community.
- Behind the Wheel Mangere
- Community Driver Mentor Programme
- Drive
- Driver licensing credits (NCEA)
- Pathways Awarua
Behind the Wheel Mangere
(Learner, Restricted, Full Licence)
Behind the Wheel Mangere focuses on bringing whanau and community together to assist people through the graduated driving licence system. The programme was jointly led by ACC and NZ Transport Agency with co-funding from Auckland Transport.
Below are resources from Behind the Wheel Mangere that you may find useful if you are considering setting up a community based driver licensing programme:
- Pledge team approach
- Learner licence steps
- Learner licence guide
- Restricted licence steps
- Restricted licence guide
- Full licence steps
- Full licence guide
Community Driver Mentor Programme
(Restricted licence)
The Community Mentor Driver Programme (CDMP) is designed to help young people overcome barriers to achieve their restricted licence. The programme model relies on community collaboration between local organisations, volunteer mentors and young drivers.
The NZ Transport Agency, with partner and sponsor support, helped to initially develop and support six CDMPs around New Zealand. If you are interested in setting up and running a CDMP for your local community, the following resources are available to assist you:
Drive
(Learner, Restricted, Full licence, teach someone to drive)
Drive is a free website and learning tool designed to help young people become safe, capable drivers. There are games and quizzes in an interactive road code, free video lessons and driving tips, and video guides to the practical tests. Plus you can read coaching guides to help you teach someone to drive.
Drive was created by the NZ Transport Agency and ACC.
Driver licensing credits (NCEA)
(Learner, Restricted, Full licence)
Students can earn credits that can be applied to the qualifications framework by passing tests for the Class 1 driver licence. If a student is currently enrolled in a school or tertiary education organisation, they can show their licence (learner, restricted or full) to have it authenticated. The school or tertiary organisation then reports the credits on behalf of the NZ Transport Agency to NZQA.
More information is available on New Zealand Qualifications Authority website .
Pathways Awarua
(Learner, Restricted)
Pathways Awarua is a tool developed by New Zealand’s Tertiary Education Commission to support adult learners in strengthening numeracy and reading and writing competencies. From 2016, the Ministry of Education has supported its use in state and integrated schools with year 9-13 students.
NZ Transport Agency worked with Pathways Awarua to develop a Road Code learning module.
- Take a look at the demo modules available, including the Road Code.