Where driver instructor endorsement requirements apply
If you teach people how to drive on a road for some form of payment, you must have a driving instructor endorsement on your driver licence. This is called an ‘I’ endorsement.
Getting an I endorsement
Getting an I endorsement
- You must hold a current full New Zealand licence for each type of vehicle you want to teach
- You must have held each of those licences for at least two years
- You must pass the full car (Class 1) licence test - unless you have passed this test within the last 5 years
- You must successfully complete an approved driving instructor course.
As part of the I endorsement application process, you may have to provide proof that you can drive the vehicle for which you’re seeking to become an instructor. You’ll also have to undergo a 'fit and proper person' check, where we check for and consider aspects such as any transport-related offences, complaints and serious convictions. Find out more about the check and other requirements of the I endorsement application process.
You have overseas experience?
Contact us if you’d like recognition of your overseas experience as a driving instructor.
Where testing officer endorsement requirements apply
Only testing officers employed or contracted by the NZ Transport Agency, our testing agent - New Zealand Driver Licensing (1998) Ltd - or the NZ Defence Force can conduct practical driving tests. These testing officers must have a current testing officer (O) endorsement on their driver licence.
Getting an O endorsement
To get an O endorsement you must undertake training and sit certification testing which covers a range of theory and practical tests
See more detail on O endorsement requirements.
