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Getting your car restricted licence

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Information

You can apply for a restricted licence after you've held a learner licence for at least six months.

Applying for a restricted licence

You'll need to:

  • fill out an application form at your local driver licensing agent. (You'll be asked if you want your licence to identify you as an organ donor)
  • produce identification and evidence of your address. (See Factsheet 20 Identification for driver licensing for a full list of acceptable ID, or phone our Driver Licensing Call Centre on (freephone) 0800 822 422)
  • pay the fees for the practical driving test and the restricted licence application
  • pass an eyesight check (or present an eyesight certificate)
  • provide a signature
  • have your photograph taken
  • apply for a date and time to sit your practical driving test.

When you pass the test you'll be given a temporary licence, valid for 21 days, to use until you receive your restricted licence in the mail.

Your restricted licence should arrive within two to three weeks.

Restricted licence conditions

Holders of a restricted licence must adhere to the following conditions:

  • You can drive on your own, but not between 10 pm and 5 am. Between these times you must be accompanied by a supervisor, who must sit in the front passenger seat beside you. Your supervisor must hold a current, full New Zealand driver licence and have held this for at least two years.
  • If you sat the test in an automatic transmission vehicle, your licence will say that you can only drive automatic vehicles.
  • You must not carry passengers unless you have a supervisor with you (there are some exceptions - see Factsheet 3 for more information).

Remember that you must carry your restricted licence with you at all times when you're driving.

  • If you're under 20 years old, the legal alcohol limit is 30 mg/100 ml of blood. This is effectively a zero limit - consuming one drink will mean you risk being charged with drink driving.
  • If you're over 20 years old, the legal alcohol limit is 80 mg/100 ml of blood. Your driving, however, may be affected well before you reach the legal alcohol limit.

Fees

  • People applying for a restricted car licence (Class 1R) pay a fee of $48.90 to sit the practical driving test.
  • There is also a fee of $39.30 for the issue of the restricted licence.

All fees include GST and are non-refundable.

Becoming a safe thinking driver

Being on restricted licence allows you to develop your driving and thinking skills to the level that is required for a full licence.

Land Transport New Zealand's DriveSmart programme (which finished in 2005) produced some useful resources for drivers on restricted licences. See:

Moving to a full licence

You can apply for a full driver licence:

  • after 18 months on your restricted licence if you're under 25 years of age
  • after six months on your restricted licence if you're 25 years of age or older.

If you successfully complete an approved course, the length of time you must hold your restricted licence for may be reduced:

  • to 12 months for those aged under 25 years
  • to three months for those aged 25 or older.

You must present the course certificate to the driver licensing agent when you book the practical test.

For under 25 year olds who wish to complete an approved course, the course must be undertaken after you have held your restricted licence for at least six months.

The two approved courses are:

Factsheet 66 Driver licensing courses (for driver licensing and endorsements) tells you more.

Getting your full licence >

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Last updated: 30 September 2005