Practical tests assess your driving
The practical driving tests are designed to assess your ability to apply your knowledge of road rules and safe driving practices.
Get lots of practise (we recommend at least 120 hours if you have a learner licence) before you sit a practical test.
New practical driver testing provider
On 1 May 2015 VTNZ took over as the Transport Agency's provider for all practical driver testing services.
Find out more about the change in driver testing services
Car (class 1) driver licence tests
Restricted test
The test is 60 minutes long and includes 45 minutes of drive time. The remaining 15 minutes is used to check the safety of the vehicle prior to driving and to provide feedback.
Test applicants will be expected to demonstrate that they have basic driving skills, can recognise and respond to a range of common road hazards and can drive safely in higher speed zones.
Full test
The full licence test is 30 minutes long and includes 20 minutes of driving.
Test applicants will be expected to be able to apply appropriate hazard and detection responses to all assessable tasks without explanation of what is required by the testing officer, demonstrate good driving skills in more complex situations and maintain safe driving behaviours across a wide variety of traffic situations and road conditions.
Read the guides
These booklets provide detailed information about the Class 1 (car) driver licence tests. They should not take the place of well-structured and comprehensive lesson plans together with high levels of supervised driving experience in a broad range of driving situations.
Restricted licence test guide
Full licence test guide
Drive videos
Watch our Drive videos for more helpful information about the driver licence tests.
- Critical errors in the restricted and full licence tests
Critical errors in the restricted and full licence tests - Immediate fail errors in the restricted and full licence tests
- How to tell if your car is ready for the test (roadworthy)
Motorcycle (class 6) practical licence tests
To get your motorcycle restricted licence you will need to either successfully complete the 60 minute practical restricted test or present a CBTA 6R certificate.
To apply for your class 6 full licence you will need to either successfully complete the 30 minute practical full test or present a CBTA 6F certificate.
Find out how to get your motorcycle licence
Competency-based training and assessment (CBTA)
If you plan to sit your motorcycle restricted licence test, make sure you have plenty of practice (including at least 120 hours on your learner licence) to prepare for the test.
Be on time
The test can’t be rushed. If you’re late, your test will be cancelled. You’ll have to rebook and pay another test fee.
If you book online, allow extra time
If you book online or via the contact centre, then you must allow an extra 30 minutes prior to your test, or visit a driver licensing agent before the day of your test, to complete the application requirements (eg having your photo taken and eyesight checked).
Check what time the agent opens
Check what time the licensing agent opens on the day of your test. If your test is early in the morning and the agent is not open you will not be able to complete the requirements listed above. This means you will need to visit an agent on a day prior to your test.
Check the test location
Not all test sites have driver licensing agents. This means that if your test is booked at a testing-only site, you will need to visit a driver licensing agent at another location to complete the application requirements before your new licence can be issued.
See what the test fee would be if your test is cancelled
Find a driver licensing agent in your area
Check if you can make your application at the same place you sit your test
Make sure you have your driver licence
Make sure that your photo driver licence is current and that you have it with you.
If you arrive for the test and your licence isn’t current or you don’t have it with you, you won’t be able to sit the test. You’ll need to rebook and pay another test fee.
See what the test fee would be if your test is cancelled
Your vehicle will be checked before the test
The testing officer will look over your vehicle before the test to ensure it is roadworthy.
They’ll check things like the tyres, indicators and brakelights.
They’ll also make sure your vehicle has a current warrant of fitness (WoF) or certificate of fitness (CoF), a valid licence label, and a road user charges (RUC) licence if required.
If your vehicle isn’t roadworthy, you won’t be able to take the test (even if it has a current WoF or CoF). You’ll need to rebook and pay another test fee.
Vehicles displaying trade plates or being driven on a space-saver tyre cannot be used to sit a practical driving test.
See the list of things that will be checked before your test can go ahead
You can take a support person if you need to
When you sit a practical driving test you can choose to have a support person with you during the test.
Information you need to know if you want to take a support person
The testing officer may use a video camera
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 enables the testing officer’s performance to be audited. It also assists in investigating complaints where the test result is disputed.
If you do not want your test to be recorded, please let the testing officer know.
Changing or cancelling your test
If you want to change or cancel your test time, you will have to pay another fee. How much that fee is depends on how far in advance you are changing the test.
Find out how much you will need to pay to change your test
Use this checklist to make sure you have everything ready
Check the items on this list to make sure you have it all ready