About driver licences
Stage 3 – full licence
Who can apply for a full licence?
You must be at least 18 years of age before you can apply for your full licence. If you have completed an approved advanced driving skills course, this is reduced to 17 ½.
If you are under 25 years of age, you can apply after you have held your restricted licence for:
- at least 18 months; or
- at least 12 months if you have completed an approved advanced driving skills course.
Note: you must have held your restricted licence for at least six months before completing this course.
If you are 25 years of age or over, you can apply after you have held your restricted licence for:
- at least six months, or
- at least three months if you have completed an approved advanced driving skills course.
For information about approved courses in your area, contact the NZTA's driver licensing contact centre on 0800 822 422.
How do I apply for a full licence?
To get your full licence you need to pass the full licence practical driving test.
To book your full licence practical driving test you must either:
- visit a driver licensing agent and:
- present evidence of your identity
- present evidence of your address
- book a time to take the full licence practical driving test
- pay for the full licence practical driving test and the full licence application
- meet the eyesight requirements
- present a medical certificate if required
- provide a signature
- have your photograph taken
OR
- book your full licence practical driving test over the phone or internet. For information and instructions on how to book over the phone or internet, see About the practical driving tests.
If you choose this option you must arrive at the test location 30 minutes before your test, or visit a driver licensing agent prior to your test, to complete the requirements listed above.
For more information about what the full licence practical driving test involves see The full licence practical driving test.
Last updated: 7 October 2011