Driver licence changes: Proposal to remove second practical driving test

Sunday, 13 April 2025

The Government wants to to remove the requirement for a second practical test when gaining a driver licence and reducing the number of eyesight tests required.

The proposal is part of the first major changes to the the driver licence system since 2011.

Transport Minister Chris Bishop said getting a driver licence is very important for many people.

“Having a licence means people can access jobs, education, healthcare, and participate in society,” Bishop said.

“Around one million adults in New Zealand don’t have a full driver licence, and nearly half of these people have no licence at all.

“Right now the process for getting a driver licence is time consuming and inefficient. It involves a theory test to get a learner licence, and then two practical tests – one when going for a restricted licence, and another when going for a full licence.”

Removing a second practical driving test would bring the cost to get a full licence down by about $100, from $362.50 to $263.70.

The full licence test currently costs $98.90 to book.

“Internationally, we are an outlier in requiring a practical driving test when going from a restricted licence to full. Other countries such as Australia require those on restricted licences to have longer learner periods, reduced demerit thresholds, or mandatory practice hours,” Bishop said.

New road safety measures proposed

Under the proposed changes restricted drivers will be eligible for a full licence after 18 months or 12 months if they complete an advanced driving course.

However, the drivers on their restricted licence have to keep a clean driving record to progress to their full licence, with a zero tolerance for any driving offence.

Learner and restricted drivers can have their licence suspended if they reach 50 demerit points, as opposed to the current threshold of 100 demerit points.

The proposal also introduced a zero-alcohol limit to learner or restricted drivers of any age, in addition to the existing limit for under 20s.

“NZTA will also look at introducing a hazard perception test at the end of the learner stage,” the minister said.

“These measures are designed to encourage safe driving from these drivers while they gain experience behind the wheel.”

Proposal to reduce frequency of eyesight tests

The Government also proposed to reduce the frequency of eyesight tests for drivers.

At present, drivers are required to undergo an eyesight test before their learner, restricted and full driving tests, the minister said.

“This means some people end up having their vision tested three times between age 16 and 18, while a person aged over 25 going through the process to get their driver licence can have their vision tested three times in just nine months.

“Evidence suggests there is little safety benefit from this repeated eyesight testing.”

The government proposed that people would still need to have their vision tested when they apply for their first licence, and when they first renew their licence after they turn 45.

At other times people would need to declare that their vision has not deteriorated.

“We are not proposing changes to eyesight testing for heavy vehicle licences or endorsements, or for people over 75 years.”

The AA said it is pleased to see the government propose some significant driver licensing changes but believes more improvements are needed to have a greater impact on the youth road toll.

AA Road Safety spokesperson Dylan Thomsen said having a zero-alcohol limit until a full licence and more consequences for driving offences while on a learner or restricted licence would be welcomed by the AA and would bring our system more in line with other countries with fewer road deaths.

“A 2024 AA Research Foundation study showed New Zealand had the least requirements to achieve a driver licence compared to Australia or other similar countries we examined. We also have one of the highest rates of road deaths among young people compared to other developed countries.”

“We believe the zero-alcohol limit for drivers on learner and restricted licences and more consequences for those breaking the rules makes sense to improve road safety.”

AA called the proposed changes “a step in the right direction”, but said it believes more could be done to ensure drivers get the practice they need to be well-prepared, safe drivers.

“If the full licence test is removed, there needs to be assurances that drivers are meeting minimum standards of practice. Most developed countries require learners to complete a certain number of hours of logged practice time, either with a supervisor or professional driving instructor, before they can start driving alone and we think this is something the Government needs to be looking at.”

Any changes to the driver licensing system would be implemented in July 2026.

Until the new system is in place, people will need to follow the current requirements for their licence.

The public consultation on the changes will begin on April 14 and closes on June 9.