What is the restricted licence practical driving test?

The restricted license assessment is approximately 30 minutes and is designed to test whether the skills of the driver are at a level where they can safely drive without a supervisor under certain conditions (see About driver licences for the conditions of a restricted licence).

During the assessment you will be expected to demonstrate safe driving practices in a wide range of driving situations.

If you drive an auto, please bring a registered and warranted automatic vehicle. We provide a vehicle for manual drivers.

Note: if you pass the license test at an official testing site (AA Express or Vehicle Testing Centre) in a vehicle with automatic transmission, your restricted licence will have an ‘automatic vehicles only' condition, meaning you will only be allowed to drive automatic vehicles unless you are accompanied by a supervisor.

When can I apply to sit the restricted licence practical driving test?

You can apply for a restricted licence when you have held your learner licence for at least six months.

You should also:

  • have had lots of driving practice (NZTA recommend that you have at least 120 hours of driving experience)
  • be a skilled and confident driver.

What does the restricted licence practical driving test involve?

You can find out more about the practical driver test by visiting our website at www.nzta.govt.nz/licence/photo/new-tests.html.

You will be asked to perform a number of assessable tasks including:

  • Left and right turns at intersections.
  • Left and right lane changes.
  • Parallel parking.
  • Three point turn.
  • Merging.
  • Straight line driving (two lanes and multiple lanes).
  • Entering and exiting roundabouts.

When completing each task you will also be assessed on the following:

  • Observation.
  • Signalling.
  • Gap selection.
  • Speed choice.
  • Following distance.
  • Lateral position.
  • Parking movement.
  • Turning movement.

During the test you could incur a critical error for following:

  • Driving too slow or too fast.
  • Failing to look before performing a manoeuvre.
  • Failing to signal.
  • Mounting the kerb.
  • Stalling the vehicle.
  • Failing to come to a complete stop at a stop sign.
  • Blocking a pedestrian crossing.
  • Any other illegal action eg
    • Following too close
    • Failing to give way to pedestrians at a pedestrian crossing
    • Driving over part of a roundabout.

What are the most common reasons for failing a restricted practical test?

Some of the most common reasons for failing a restricted practical test are:

  • exceeding the speed limit
  • failure to give way
  • failure to correctly indicate when entering or leaving a roundabout
  • failure to correctly indicate when changing lanes
  • failure to identify all hazards (including those approaching from behind)
  • failure to turn your head to check your blind spot before changing lanes
  • failure to turn into the correct lane at multi-lane intersections.

You can find out more about the practical driver test by visiting the NZTA website.

Cost

Free assessment