How to get a Drivers License in New Zealand
 | | The New Zealand driver's licence system is a graduated system, which has been in place (with modifications, such as the L-plate requirement) since 1987. It consists of three phases for a car licence, each with varying levels of conditions. A New Zealand driver's licence allows the holder to drive a moped, tractor, or all-terrain vehicle as well as a car, however, motorbikes and heavy vehicles require separate licences. Upon passing the respective test for each stage of the system, the successful applicant is given a plastic card which contains a unique identifying number, date of birth and photograph of the holder. Apart from passports and a special-purpose 18+ card, a driver's licence is the only legal form of ID for buying alcohol, tobacco and fireworks in New Zealand. |
Visitors from India
Visitors to New Zealand who hold overseas drivers licences may be required to take a driving test before they qualify for a full New Zealand licence. However, those from countries with similar road rules are only required to take a theory test (similar to the learner licence test) within a year of arrival; until this time they may continue to drive on their foreign drivers licence provided it is either written in English, or they have an authorised English translation available.
Getting a drivers license is a 3 stage process as described below
Learner Licence
A learner licence is gained after scoring at least 32 out of 35 on a multiple-choice test relating to road rules. Once gained, it allows the holder to drive provided they display black-on-yellow learner plates and are accompanied by a "supervisor" (being any person who has held a full licence for at least two years). The learner licence is a blue plastic card, and can be applied for any time once the applicant is aged 15.
Restricted Licence
A restricted licence is able to be obtained after having held a learner licence for at least six months and passing a twenty-minute practical driving test. This allows a driver to drive without L-plates, or a supervisor, between 5am and 10pm. If this requirement is not met, the driver may incur a $400 driving offence fee and/or demerit points. Drivers are only allowed to carry certain passengers with them, unless they have a full-licenced supervisor with them eg: an individual with a restricted license may drive their spouse or long-term partner (even though they are not permitted to drive other individuals without a full license).Like a learner driver's supervisor, the supervisor has to have held their full licence for over two years. The restricted licence is a yellow plastic card.
Full Licence
A full licence is able to be obtained after the driver has held a restricted licence for eighteen months, or twelve months for someone who has taken an approved course, such as the defensive driving course or the Street Talk programme. However, if you are aged over 25, you only have to spend six months on a restricted licence or three months upon completion of an approved course. The driver must pass a more thorough, hour-long driving test. It allows a driver to drive at any time with passengers and after 2 years to supervise drivers with learner or restricted licenses. It is a green plastic card.
The full test includes: a) Showing your forms, an eyesight test and handing over your drivers license. b) an initial physical car test (indicators - front and rear, brake lights and horn). If the car fails these tests the test will not occur and you will not get a refund. c) Basic driving test (Checking mirrors regularly, stopping completely at stop signs, turns etc). Must get 80% right in this section to continue, although not stopping 100% completely at a stop sign or exceeding the speed limit can lead to an instant fail. d) Two Hazard identification phases:
i) Doing a task (eg: an intersection turn) and then pulling over and describing the "hazards" you noticed. eg: people, bikes, animals, other cars, anything moving etc).
ii) Driving in a busy area (eg: motorway) and describing the hazards you see (while driving) and mentioning how you are responding to them.
As at Jan 2008, the cost is $115 to book the first test. If you fail that test, you only pay the test component ($80) to repeat the test. You must wait a day before applying to resit the test.
Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driver_licensing_in_New_Zealand