On the day of your practical driving test

Vehicle to sit the test in

You need to provide the car or other light motor vehicle (for example, a van or ute) that you’ll sit the test in. If you don’t have a car of your own, you’ll need to borrow one. The car you use needs to be capable of achieving 100km/h.

Test day checklist

On the day of your test you should:

• check that your driver licence is still current and that you have it with you. If you're using your current temporary licence, you also need to provide acceptable photo ID (eg  Kiwi Access or 18+ card, student ID card, current or expired passport)
• make sure the vehicle being used for the test:
  • has a current warrant of fitness (WoF)
  • has a current licence label
  • has a current road user charges (RUC) licence (if required)
  • has approved L plates displayed front and rear if you're on a learner licence
  • doesn't have trade plates
• get someone to help you do a pre-drive check of the vehicle to make sure it's in good working order
  What the testing officer will be checking
• make sure you know how to get to where your test will start
• check your vehicle has enough fuel to get there, complete the test and get back home
• wear your correcting lenses (glasses or contacts) if you need to when driving
• make sure you give yourself enough time to get to the test location on time for the test. If you arrive late your test will be cancelled.
• make sure the passenger seat is in a clean and tidy state for the testing officer to sit on.

If you don’t meet all these requirements, the testing officer won’t be able to take you for your test.

Taking a support person

Before the start of the practical driving test, you can request to have a support person go with you during the test.

The support person:

• must be a person over 20 years of age
• must not be accompanied by any other person or animal (except a guide dog)
• must give their name and contact details to the testing officer before the test starts
• must not talk, offer help, or distract the driver or testing officer at any stage during the test. If this happens, the testing officer will terminate the test
• must not interrupt the testing officer as they're providing feedback at the end of the test.

You can't have any other passengers (eg children or infants) in the car as they may distract you or the testing officer during the test.

The testing officer may refuse to accept any person as a support person if the testing officer believes on reasonable grounds that:

• his or her personal safety could be, or is, threatened or endangered, or
• the support person appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs or is noisy or violent, or
• there's no suitable seating available in the back of the vehicle being used for the test.

When you get to the test location

When you first arrive at the test location, the testing officer will  check your driver licence to verify your identity, and see if you have any special requirements on your licence. The testing officer will hold on to your licence during the test.

The testing officer will do a pre-drive check of the car you've provided for the test. They'll check that:

• the vehicle's sitting square to the road, indicating all tyres have equal pressure
• there's no obvious damage to the vehicle that could be considered dangerous
• the tyres have a legal tread depth and have no uneven wear, and the wheels appear undamaged
• all the indicators and brake lights (including high-stop brake lights) work correctly and all lenses are intact
• the high and low beams of the headlights operate, if the test will be in poor light conditions
• the windscreen washers and wipers work, if the test will be in rain or fog
• the horn works
• the vehicle licence, registration and WoF are current (as well as the RUC licence if you require one)
• mirrors are in the correct position for you to see behind the car when you're sitting in the driver’s seat
• the seatbelts are in good condition.

Before the test, the testing officer will run through some basic instructions for the test and ask you if you have any questions.

Interpreters

If you have difficulty speaking or understanding English, we recommend you bring an interpreter with you.

Observers

Before your test, your testing officer may ask for your permission to have an observer accompany you on your test. You can decline the request, but remember that the observer would be there to observe the testing officer and not you.

The role of the testing officer

A testing officer performs many tasks during the test including directing you around the route, observing and marking driving behaviour and keeping an eye on safety. Because of this it's unlikely they'll have time to engage in conversation with you. Please don't be offended by this.

In-car video cameras

The testing officer may attach a small video camera to the front windscreen at the beginning of your practical test.

The camera records the test and allows the testing officer’s performance to be audited. It also assists in investigating complaints where the test result is disputed.

If you don't want your test to be recorded, please tell the testing officer.

Test is cancelled or terminated

If your test is cancelled or terminated, or you don't meet the requirements and can't take your test, you'll need to sit the test again. You'll need to re-book for another time.