NZ Firearms Licence Theory Practice Test 2026

1. Question 1 of 30

   What is the first of the 7 rules of firearm safety?

   • AKeep the safety catch on and you can relax
   • BOnly check a firearm if it looks loaded
   • CTrust the owner when they say it is unloaded
   • DTreat every firearm as loaded
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Treat every firearm as loaded

   Rule 1 is to treat every firearm as loaded. Do your own safety checks every time you pick one up.

2. Question 2 of 30

   A friend hands you a rifle and says, "It's empty." What should you do?

   • APull the trigger to prove it is empty
   • BAccept their word and put it in the case
   • CPoint it in a safe direction and check it yourself
   • DLook down the barrel from the muzzle end
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Point it in a safe direction and check it yourself

   Treat every firearm as loaded and do the safety check yourself. Never rely on someone else's word.

3. Question 3 of 30

   Why should you keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction even when you know the firearm is unloaded?

   • ABecause it keeps the barrel clean
   • BSo the scope stays zeroed
   • CBecause the law only applies to loaded firearms
   • DSo that nobody is hurt if it fires by accident
   Show answer

   Answer: D. So that nobody is hurt if it fires by accident

   Rule 2 applies to loaded and unloaded firearms alike. A safe direction means no one is hurt if it discharges.

4. Question 4 of 30

   Which direction is usually the safest to point a firearm toward?

   • AA rock face or other hard surface
   • BAn area that will safely absorb a projectile, such as soft earth
   • CWater, because it stops bullets
   • DThe sky above the skyline
   Show answer

   Answer: B. An area that will safely absorb a projectile, such as soft earth

   Choose a direction where a projectile will be absorbed. Hard surfaces and water can make it ricochet.

5. Question 5 of 30

   Under rule 3, when should you chamber a cartridge?

   • ABefore you cross a fence, to save time
   • BWhen you start walking into the bush
   • CAs soon as you leave the vehicle
   • DOnly when you are ready to fire, such as when game is sighted
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Only when you are ready to fire, such as when game is sighted

   Chamber a cartridge only when you have sighted game, expect it at once, or are about to shoot on a range.

6. Question 6 of 30

   You finish hunting for the day and walk back toward camp. What should you do with your rifle?

   • AFully unload it before you leave the hunting area
   • BKeep a cartridge in the chamber in case you see game
   • CLeave the magazine loaded and the safety off
   • DUnload it only when you reach the vehicle
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Fully unload it before you leave the hunting area

   When the situation changes, such as leaving the hunting area, return the firearm to the load state or fully unload it. Unload before entering a hut or camp.

7. Question 7 of 30

   What does "identify your target beyond all doubt" mean?

   • AShoot at any movement in the area where deer were seen
   • BFire at a shape that is the right colour for a deer
   • CBe sure of the species, sex and age of the whole animal before you shoot
   • DShoot when you hear an animal close by
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Be sure of the species, sex and age of the whole animal before you shoot

   Rule 4: see the whole animal and confirm what it is. Never shoot at sound, shape, colour or movement alone.

8. Question 8 of 30

   You see a brown shape moving in thick scrub. You think it is a deer but cannot see it clearly. What should you do?

   • AShoot if it moves again
   • BShoot low to be safe
   • CFire a warning shot first
   • DDo not shoot
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Do not shoot

   If you have any doubt about your target, do not shoot. Many hunting deaths happen because a person was mistaken for an animal.

9. Question 9 of 30

   What is a firing zone?

   • AThe area marked on a shooting range only
   • BThe area a projectile could travel through and land in
   • CThe 10 metres in front of the muzzle
   • DThe paddock where you are allowed to hunt
   Show answer

   Answer: B. The area a projectile could travel through and land in

   Rule 5: the firing zone is the area a projectile may travel through and land in. It depends on the firearm, ammunition and surroundings.

10. Question 10 of 30

    Before you fire, what question does rule 5 ask you to think about?

    • AWhat could happen if I miss?
    • BHow much will the meat be worth?
    • CIs the scope set to full zoom?
    • DHas my friend already fired?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. What could happen if I miss?

    Check the area between you and the target and beyond it. Ask what could happen if you miss.

11. Question 11 of 30

    Why must you never shoot at a target on the skyline?

    • AIt is only allowed with a shotgun
    • BYou cannot see where the projectile will go beyond it
    • CThe light makes the target look smaller
    • DIt damages the barrel
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    Answer: B. You cannot see where the projectile will go beyond it

    With nothing behind the target to stop the projectile, it can travel a very long way into an area you cannot see.

12. Question 12 of 30

    Your firing zone looks safe now, but the animal starts to run. What is true?

    • AThe firing zone changes as the target moves, so you must check it again
    • BYou can fire faster because it is moving
    • CThe firing zone stays the same once checked
    • DMoving targets cannot ricochet
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The firing zone changes as the target moves, so you must check it again

    The firing zone changes all the time, especially when you follow a moving target.

13. Question 13 of 30

    When you travel with a firearm, what state should it be in?

    • ALoaded only if you are on a farm road
    • BChamber empty but magazine loaded
    • CLoaded but with the safety on
    • DFully unloaded: chamber, breech and magazines empty
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Fully unloaded: chamber, breech and magazines empty

    Rule 6: when travelling, fully unload the chamber, breech and all magazines.

14. Question 14 of 30

    Which is one way to make a firearm inoperable when you transport it?

    • ARemove the bolt or another vital part
    • BPut tape over the muzzle
    • CTurn the safety catch on
    • DRemove the scope
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Remove the bolt or another vital part

    Make it inoperable by removing the bolt or another vital part, fitting a trigger or cable lock, or keeping it in a locked case.

15. Question 15 of 30

    Where should ammunition be kept when you store firearms?

    • ATaped to the firearm
    • BIn the same unlocked bag as the firearm
    • CIn the magazine, ready to use
    • DStored and secured separately from the firearms
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Stored and secured separately from the firearms

    Store and secure ammunition separately, so someone who gets to a firearm cannot easily get its ammunition.

16. Question 16 of 30

    Rule 7 is about alcohol and drugs. How much alcohol is safe before handling a firearm?

    • ANone
    • BUp to the drink-drive limit
    • COne standard drink
    • DTwo standard drinks
    Show answer

    Answer: A. None

    No amount of alcohol is considered safe before handling a firearm. Lock firearms away before you drink.

17. Question 17 of 30

    Your doctor gives you a medicine labelled "Do not drive or operate machinery". What should you do about shooting?

    • AShoot only with a shotgun
    • BIt does not matter for firearms
    • CDo not handle firearms while taking it
    • DShoot only in the morning
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Do not handle firearms while taking it

    If a medicine says not to drive or operate machinery, the Firearms Safety Code says not to handle firearms.

18. Question 18 of 30

    Members of your hunting party start drinking beer at lunch and want to keep shooting. What should you do?

    • AKeep shooting but stand further apart
    • BStop shooting with them and lock the firearms away
    • CDrink less than them so you stay in charge
    • DLet them shoot only at targets
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Stop shooting with them and lock the firearms away

    Do not shoot with people who have been drinking or taking drugs.

19. Question 19 of 30

    How many of the safety rules are in the 7 rules of firearm safety?

    • A4
    • B7
    • C5
    • D10
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 7

    There are 7 basic rules. You must state and apply them during the firearms safety course.

20. Question 20 of 30

    What is the minimum age to apply for a New Zealand firearms licence?

    • A18
    • B14
    • C20
    • D16
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 16

    You must be 16 or older to apply for a firearms licence.

21. Question 21 of 30

    How long is a person's first firearms licence valid?

    • AFor life
    • B5 years
    • C2 years
    • D10 years
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 5 years

    A first licence, or one applied for after the old licence expired, is valid for 5 years.

22. Question 22 of 30

    You apply to renew your licence before it expires. How long will the new licence usually be valid?

    • A3 years
    • B15 years
    • C10 years
    • D5 years
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 10 years

    If you apply before your current licence expires, the new licence is valid for 10 years.

23. Question 23 of 30

    Who must attend the firearms safety course before the vetting interview?

    • AEveryone who renews, every 10 years
    • BOnly people under 18
    • COnly people who want a pistol endorsement
    • DFirst-time applicants and people whose licence expired more than 1 year ago
    Show answer

    Answer: D. First-time applicants and people whose licence expired more than 1 year ago

    The course is needed for a first licence or if your licence expired more than a year ago. Others are tested at the vetting interview.

24. Question 24 of 30

    How is the theory test in the standard firearms safety course set out?

    • A30 multiple-choice questions in 30 minutes
    • B20 short written answers
    • C50 true or false questions in 1 hour
    • DAn oral test with an instructor only
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 30 multiple-choice questions in 30 minutes

    The theory test has 30 multiple-choice questions and you have 30 minutes.

25. Question 25 of 30

    What is the main source to study for the firearms licence theory test?

    • AThe Firearms Safety Code
    • BA gun shop catalogue
    • CThe Road Code
    • DThe Wildlife Act only
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The Firearms Safety Code

    The theory test covers the Firearms Safety Code, safe practices and the law. The Code is the main study source.

26. Question 26 of 30

    Which languages can the firearms licence theory test be taken in?

    • AEnglish, French and Spanish
    • BEnglish and Samoan
    • CEnglish only
    • DEnglish, Simplified Chinese and te reo Māori
    Show answer

    Answer: D. English, Simplified Chinese and te reo Māori

    The test is offered in English, Simplified Chinese and te reo Māori, and you may bring a reader/writer or interpreter.

27. Question 27 of 30

    You fail the theory test on your first try at the course. What happens?

    • AYou are banned from applying again
    • BYou pass if you do well in the practical
    • CYou get a second attempt after the practical session
    • DYou must wait 12 months
    Show answer

    Answer: C. You get a second attempt after the practical session

    If you fail the first attempt, you get a second attempt after the practical session.

28. Question 28 of 30

    What firearms are used in the practical part of the safety course?

    • AAir rifles only
    • BAny firearm you bring from home
    • CDeactivated firearms supplied by the instructor
    • DYour own loaded rifle
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Deactivated firearms supplied by the instructor

    You handle deactivated firearms supplied by the instructor. Do not bring firearms or ammunition to the course.

29. Question 29 of 30

    During the practical session, a person keeps pointing the firearm at others. What can happen?

    • ANothing, because the firearm is deactivated
    • BThey are removed and their fitness to hold a licence is looked at again
    • CThey get a small fine
    • DThey must buy the instructor lunch
    Show answer

    Answer: B. They are removed and their fitness to hold a licence is looked at again

    Unsafe handling gets you removed from the session, and your status as a fit and proper person is reconsidered.

30. Question 30 of 30

    Before a licence is issued, what must be checked at your home?

    • AYour vehicle's warrant of fitness
    • BYour secure storage for firearms and ammunition
    • CYour fridge and freezer for meat
    • DYour hunting clothing
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Your secure storage for firearms and ammunition

    A licence is issued only after your secure storage has been inspected and meets the requirements.

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