NZTA will change the licencing system in January 2027. These changes might look good at first, but they could also bring new risks for you. Here’s what is changing:
- Learner period will increase from 6 months to 1 year. You can reduce that time by sitting an approved course or logging your practice hours with a supervisor. This means you will have to pay a fee, or find someone to supervise your driving and record it in a logbook for 100 hours, to reduce your time back to 6 months. This could be expensive and difficult.
- Restricted period will be 12 months for anyone under 25 years old, and 6 months for anyone over 25 years old. There will be no Defensive Driving Course to reduce your time.
- Anyone on a learner or restricted licence, regardless of how old you are, will be on a zero alcohol licence. If you drive after only having one drink, you could get a drink driving charge and get 50 demerit points, leading to a loss of licence.
- Full licence test is removed. You will no longer need to sit a test to get your full licence. Instead you must have a clean driving licence and pay a fee of around $25. A clean licence means you cannot have any demerits added to your licence after 7 May 2026. If you get demerits after 7 May, you will have 6 months added to the time you must stay on your Restricted licence. If you get demerits a week later, you will have another 6 months added, and it will keep adding 6 months for every new demerits you get.
- The restricted test will become more difficult, with parts of the full licence test added. We suggest taking your restricted test soon, before the changes in 2027.
- The amount of demerits that you get for an offence stays the same. A full list of the demerit amounts can be found on the NZTA website https://www.nzta.govt.nz/driver-licences/driving-offences-and-penalties/demerit-points
The new rules mean that because of demerits you might be stuck on your restricted for years. You will not be able to progress to a full licence removing the barriers of the restricted licence. You will not be allowed to drive with any alcohol (even less than 250 micrograms) in your system, until you hold a full licence.
Don’t delay, get your full licence test done now if you are eligible. Sit your restricted now while the test is easier. Avoid doing anything that could cause you to get demerits, but especially after 7 May 2026. Speak to a NZ Howard League Instructor about moving forward with your licence.
There may be a waiting list, so get in touch asap.
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