An information campaign is warning restricted drivers of a major change to how their licence works - ahead of the overhaul taking effect next week.
The changes, which centre on demerits, are the first to come into play since the Government confirmed it would scrap the full licence test from January 25 next year.
Under the new rules, restricted drivers under 25 will have to wait 12 months before applying for their full licence, while those over 25 will have to wait 6 months. They won't need to undergo a test, but will need a clean driving record to move on.
Any demerit points handed out by police officers for driving infringements will result in an additional six months on a restricted licence. Any driver getting demerits more than once will have to wait an extra six months each time.
The Government’s proposing having only one practical test to get a full licence. (Source: 1News)
Demerits can be issued for offences including speeding, drink driving, drug driving and mobile phone use.
"This change will improve road safety for everyone by encouraging inexperienced drivers to drive safely," the NZ Transport Agency said in its information material published on social media.
"If you keep a clean driving record and don’t get any demerits, you won’t have to wait any extra time."
NZTA said restricted drivers who get demerits between May 7, 2026 and January 24, 2027 could have their restricted period extended on January 25, 2027.
The agency said if drivers receive demerits after May 7 but move to their full licence before January 25 Their restricted period won’t be extended.
"The extension only applies to people who are still on their restricted licence after 25 January.
"Any demerit points you get before 7 May won’t affect your restricted period."
Infringements that don't incur demerits, like speed camera fines, won't add any time.
Other changes coming next year
The changes to licensing were among the biggest shakeup to be implemented since the learner age moved from 15 to 16 in 2011.
Changes outside restricted licences include an increase in the time young drivers spend with their learners licence, up from six months to 12 months. This can be chopped down to six months with a practical course or recorded supervised driving hours.
Learner drivers will need to demonstrate hazard perception during their practical test, which is currently assessed in the full licence test. The eyesight test will also be scrapped.
There will be a zero alcohol rule for all learner and restricted drivers, regardless of age.
The cost of a restricted licence will drop from $167.50 to $160.50, while the cost of a full licence will drop from $98.90 to $25.90.
In February, Transport Minister Chris Bishop said the changes were needed as the current system was "expensive, outdated and no longer works as well as it should".
“Internationally, New Zealand is an outlier in requiring a second practical driving test when moving from a restricted licence to a full licence."
He described the changes as "common sense".
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