Step 3: Your Full Licence
Your Full Licence is the third and final stage in the graduated driver licensing system.
Once passed you can drive independently without supervision, carry passengers, and drive at any time of day or night.
You are required to pass another practical test in order to complete your learner journey.
Roadmap:
Your Full Licence
Who Can Apply?
To apply for a full licence, you must hold a Restricted Licence and meet certain criteria depending on whether you’ve completed a defensive driving course.
Minimum Age Requirements
Without a Defensive Driving Course: You must be at least 18 years old to apply for your full licence.
With a Defensive Driving Course: You can apply for your full licence at 17½ years old.
Holding Period
Drivers Under 25: You must hold your restricted licence for at least 18 months (reduced to 12 months with a DDC).
Drivers 25 or Older: You must hold your restricted licence for at least 6 months (reduced to 3 months with a DDC).
Application Process
Book Your Full Licence Practical Test
You can book your full licence practical test either:
Online, through the NZTA website.
In-person, by visiting a driver licensing agent such as AA, VTNZ, or VINZ.
Complete the Application at a Licensing Agent
You’ll need to visit a driver licensing agent to complete the application process:
Fill out an application form.
Provide proof of identity (passport or birth certificate).
Complete an eyesight test to ensure you meet the required vision standards.
Have your photo and signature taken at the agent.
Pay the Application Fee
The total fee for applying for your full licence is NZD $98.90, which includes your first attempt at the practical test.
If you need to retake the test, a NZD $71.90 fee applies for each additional attempt.
Consider a Defensive Driving Course (DDC)
Completing a Defensive Driving Course (DDC) not only helps improve driving skills but also reduces the time you need to hold your restricted licence before applying for a full licence.
What does it involve?
The course covers hazard identification, managing risky driving situations, and improving overall driving awareness in both classroom-based theory sessions and practical driving sessions.
How Does It Help?
Completing a defensive driving course allows you to reduce the required holding period for your restricted licence, speeding up your eligibility for a full licence:
Under 25: The required holding period is reduced from 18 months to 12 months.
25 or older: The holding period is reduced from 6 months to 3 months.
Course Structure
The course typically involves:
Four classroom theory sessions, which last about 1.5 to 2 hours each. These sessions focus on hazard perception, risk management, and improving awareness of road conditions.
In-car practical sessions, where you’ll apply what you’ve learned in real driving situations under the supervision of a qualified instructor.
Benefits Beyond the Full Licence
In addition to reducing the restricted licence period, a defensive driving course also improves overall driving skills, making you a safer and more confident driver. This can help lower the risk of accidents and may result in insurance premium discounts from some providers.
How to Enroll
Defensive driving courses are offered by licensed driving schools across New Zealand. You can enroll through AA Driving School, NZTA-approved driving schools, or other registered providers.
Test Preparation
Preparation is key to ensuring you pass the test on your first attempt, here are the steps you can take to prepare effectively:
Varied Conditions
Drive in a variety of environments: Practice driving in different traffic conditions, including residential streets, motorways, urban areas, and rural roads. You should also drive during different weather conditions (e.g., rain, fog).
Night driving: Gaining experience driving at night will help you become a more confident, well-rounded driver (though the test is typically carried out during the day).
Brush Up on Rules and Regs
Review the New Zealand Road Code to ensure you are familiar with road rules, signs, and safety practices.
Driving Lessons
Consider taking a refresher driving lesson with a professional instructor. An experienced driving instructor can assess your driving skills, identify any bad habits, and help you prepare for specific tasks in the test.
Simulate Test Conditions
Practice driving test routes as if you are taking the test. Follow all road rules closely, make safe lane changes, and maintain proper following distances. Having someone act as a mock examiner can help you get used to the format of the test.
Check Your Vehicle
Ensure your vehicle is ready for the test. It must be up to Warrant of Fitness (WoF) standards and roadworthy, with functioning lights, indicators, brakes, and tyres. Your vehicle should also have valid registration and be in good condition.
Mental Preparation
Stay calm and focused on test day. Being well-prepared will help ease any anxiety, but it’s important to remain composed throughout the test. Listen carefully to the testing officer’s instructions and drive confidently.
The Full Licence Practical Test
This is the final assessment required to progress from a restricted to a full licence.
Duration and Structure
The full licence practical test lasts around 30 minutes.
It includes a range of driving tasks that assess your ability to drive safely in different road conditions, such as:
Left and right turns.
Lane changes and merging.
Navigating roundabouts and intersections.
Driving at varying speeds, including higher-speed zones.
Hazard Identification and Response
One of the key differences between the restricted and full licence tests is the emphasis on hazard identification and response.
During the test, the testing officer will ask you to:
Identify hazards as you drive, such as pedestrians, cyclists, or other vehicles.
Explain your response to the hazard, including how you adjust your driving to ensure safety. For example, you may say, "oncoming traffic ahead" and "I’m slowing down to maintain a safe distance.
Assessable Tasks and Driving Skills
During the test, the officer will assess you on a variety of tasks to ensure you can handle different driving situations, including:
Observation skills: Ensuring you check mirrors and blind spots regularly.
Lane positioning: Staying in the correct lane and following road markings.
Speed management: Adhering to speed limits and adjusting speed for road conditions.
Critical and Immediate Fail Errors
Just like in the restricted test, the full licence test includes critical and immediate fail errors.
Critical errors: Minor mistakes, such as not signaling correctly, that will affect your score if they accumulate.
Immediate fail errors: Serious violations, such as not stopping at a stop sign, which will result in an automatic fail.
What Comes Next?
Congratulations! If you’ve successfully passed your practical test, here’s what you can expect next:
Receiving Your Full Licence
You’ll be issued a temporary full licence, which is valid until your official licence card arrives in the mail.
Your official full licence will be mailed to you within 7–10 business days.
No More Licence Restrictions
All the restrictions that applied under your restricted licence will no longer apply. This means:
You can now drive at any time of the day or night.
You can carry any passengers without needing a supervisor.
You can drive manual or automatic vehicles without restrictions.
Insurance and Vehicle Ownership
You can now consider upgrading or purchasing a vehicle.
You may also want to review your car insurance policy or purchase one if you don’t have it. Being a fully licensed driver may qualify you for lower insurance premiums.