NZ Road Code Study Guide 2026

The learner licence theory test

The learner licence theory test is the first step to a New Zealand car licence (class 1). It checks that you know the road rules in The official New Zealand Road Code. You take it at a driver licensing agent, such as an AA or VTNZ centre, not online at home.

What to bring

• Evidence of identity, such as a passport or birth certificate.
• Proof of your current New Zealand address.
• Your glasses or contact lenses, if you need them.
• A completed DL1 application form, or fill it in at the agent on the day.
• A medical certificate, if you have been asked for one.
• Money for the application and test fee.

If you need glasses or contact lenses to pass the eyesight check, your licence will carry a condition that you must wear them whenever you drive. If you fail the eyesight check, you can still go ahead with the theory test, but you will not get your licence until you give the agent a satisfactory eyesight or medical certificate.

If you pass, or if you fail

If you pass, you get a temporary learner licence on the day. Your photo licence arrives in the mail later. If you fail, your application fee covers one more attempt, which you book separately. Each attempt after the second one costs an extra fee.

Learner, restricted and full licences

New Zealand uses a graduated driver licensing system. You move from a learner licence to a restricted licence and then to a full licence. Each stage has fewer conditions and more responsibility.

Your supervisor

A supervisor must have held a full licence for at least two years and must sit in the front passenger seat. The supervisor is responsible for any passengers a learner carries, so a learner may carry passengers only if the supervisor agrees.

Restricted licence conditions

• If you drive between 10 pm and 5 am, a supervisor must be with you.
• Without a supervisor you may carry only certain passengers: your spouse or partner, a child who depends on you or your partner, your parent or guardian, a relative who lives with you and receives a benefit, or a person you are the main carer for.
• Any other passenger means a supervisor must be in the car.
• If you sat the restricted test in an automatic, you may drive only automatics unless a supervisor is with you.
• Carry your licence whenever you drive.

How long you stay on a restricted licence

Changes from 25 January 2027

The Ministry of Transport has announced changes that take effect on 25 January 2027, when all licence holders move to the new settings:

• There will be no full licence practical test.
• The learner period for under-25s goes from 6 to 12 months. It can be cut back to 6 months by completing set practice hours or a driving course.
• The restricted period becomes 12 months for under-25s and 6 months for people 25 and over. A defensive driving course will no longer shorten it.
• A restricted driver who gets any demerit points will spend a further 6 months on their restricted licence.
• All learner and restricted drivers will have a zero-alcohol limit, whatever their age.

Learner, restricted and full licences are renewed every 10 years. Learner and restricted licence holders do not need to pass a theory test again when they renew.

Keeping left and signalling

New Zealand drives on the left. Keep to the left side of the road, including at intersections and whenever you pull out onto a road. Do not cut corners when you turn. Cross the centre line only to pass safely or to turn off the road.

On roads with more than one lane in your direction, normally use the left lane. Use the right lane to pass or to get ready to turn right. Before you change lanes, check your mirrors and look over your shoulder at your blind spot.

Signals

Signal for at least 3 seconds before you turn, change lanes, or move into or out of traffic, such as pulling out from the kerb. Cancel your signal when you have finished, or if you change your mind, so it does not mislead other road users.

Intersections and giving way

Most theory test mistakes happen on give way questions. Learn the order of these rules.

Stop and give way signs

At a stop sign you must come to a complete stop at the limit line, then give way to all traffic. At a give way sign you must give way to all traffic except vehicles controlled by a stop sign. So if you face a give way sign and the other driver faces a stop sign, you go first.

The turning rules

Since 25 March 2012, New Zealand has used these give way rules at intersections where both drivers have the same kind of control (no signs, or the same sign):

1. A driver who is turning gives way to vehicles that are not turning (going straight through).
2. A driver turning right gives way to an oncoming driver turning left into the same road.
3. At a T-intersection, a driver on the road that ends (the terminating road) gives way to all vehicles on the road that continues, including vehicles turning right into the terminating road.
4. If none of these rules applies, give way to vehicles coming from your right.

Driveways

When you drive out of a driveway, give way to people on the footpath and to vehicles on the road. When you drive into or out of a driveway, give way to anyone using a footpath, cycle path or shared path.

As you approach an intersection, you must not speed up if another vehicle is approaching or crossing it.

Roundabouts

Traffic travels clockwise around a roundabout. Give way to traffic coming from your right. If you are taking the first exit, signal left before you enter.

Traffic signals and emergency vehicles

A red light means stop at the limit line. A yellow (amber) light means stop, unless you are so close that you cannot stop safely. Never turn on a red light unless a green arrow allows it.

You must make way for an emergency vehicle that is using red or blue flashing lights, stopping if you need to, as soon as it is safe. If police signal you to stop with red and blue lights and a siren, pull over safely at the side of the road as soon as possible and wait in your car.

Speed and following distance

A speed limit is the maximum speed allowed, not a target. You must drive to the conditions. In rain, fog, on gravel or at night you may need to go well under the limit. On any road, drive at a speed that lets you stop within the distance you can see is clear.

Curve warning signs show which way the road bends. A yellow advisory speed plate under the sign shows a safe, comfortable speed for that curve. In wet or icy conditions, go slower than the advisory speed.

Following distance

Leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front to stop safely if it brakes hard. Increase the gap in rain, fog, at night, on gravel and when you are towing. If someone follows you too closely, stay calm and let them pass when it is safe.

Overtaking, passing lanes and one-lane bridges

Most New Zealand roads have one lane in each direction, often with no barrier in the middle. Overtaking is one of the most dangerous things you can do on these roads.

• A solid yellow line on your side of the centre line means you must not overtake.
• A double yellow line means no one, in either direction, may overtake.
• Never overtake on or near a corner, or where you cannot see far enough ahead.
• You need at least 100 metres of clear road ahead for the whole pass, including after you have moved back to the left.
• Be patient and use passing lanes where they are provided.
• If you are driving slowly and a queue builds up behind you, pull over somewhere safe and let them pass.

One-lane bridges

Many rural roads have one-lane bridges. Warning signs tell you one is coming. Slow down, look for oncoming traffic, and stop if you need to give way. On one-lane bridge signs, the small red arrow shows the direction of traffic that must give way.

If you must give way but no traffic is coming, you may cross. Even when you have priority, slow down and make sure no one is already on the bridge.

Pedestrians, cyclists and animals

Pedestrian crossings

• Slow down and be ready to stop for anyone on, entering or waiting at a pedestrian crossing.
• If the crossing has no raised traffic island, stop and give way to pedestrians on any part of the crossing.
• Wait until the pedestrian is clear of your vehicle before you drive on.
• Do not drive onto a crossing unless there is room to get right across it.
• Do not park within 6 metres of your approach side of a crossing.

A shared zone is a length of road meant for both pedestrians and vehicles. Drive slowly and watch for people walking anywhere on the road.

Cyclists

Slow down near cyclists and pass only when it is safe. Leave at least 1.5 metres between your vehicle and the cyclist. Cyclists must wear safety helmets. Before you open a car door on the road side, look for cyclists.

Children and school buses

Slow to 20 km/h or less when passing a school bus that has stopped to pick up or drop off children. Children may run out from in front of or behind the bus. When a school patrol puts out its STOP signs at a crossing, stop and wait until the signs are pulled back.

Animals

In rural areas you may meet sheep, cattle or horses on the road. Slow down, and do not sound your horn, because noise can scare animals.

Railway crossings

Trains are heavy and cannot stop quickly. Never try to beat a train to a crossing.

• Flashing red lights: stop, and go only after the lights have stopped flashing.
• Stop sign: stop, and cross only if no trains are coming from either direction.
• Give way sign: slow down, be ready to stop, and cross only if no trains are coming.
• Never stop on the tracks. If traffic is queued on the other side, wait until there is room for your whole vehicle.

Parking and stopping

• On a two-way road, park facing the same way as the traffic on that side. You can be fined or towed for parking the wrong way.
• On a one-way street you may park on either side, where parking is allowed.
• Do not stop where there are no-stopping signs or broken yellow lines.
• To look at the view or take a photo, pull completely off the road.

A flush median is a painted area of white diagonal lines in the middle of the road that keeps opposing traffic apart.

Alcohol, drugs, phones and seat belts

Alcohol and drugs

Not drinking at all is the safest choice. It is also illegal to drive while affected by drugs that impair your driving, including some prescription medicines. From 25 January 2027, all learner and restricted drivers have a zero-alcohol limit, whatever their age.

Mobile phones

You must not use a hand-held phone while driving. Any phone use must be hands-free, and texting on any phone while driving is illegal. Pull over safely before you use your phone.

Seat belts and child restraints

Everyone in the vehicle must wear a seat belt or use a child restraint, in the front and the back.

Rural roads, weather and fatigue

Many New Zealand roads are narrow, hilly and winding, so trips take longer than the map suggests. Weather can change quickly, and in winter you may meet snow, ice, heavy rain or hail.

Gravel roads

Unsealed (gravel) roads can be slippery. Keep left and slow down. Slow down even more when you meet another vehicle, because dust cuts your view and loose stones can chip windscreens.

Winter and wet weather

• Check the weather forecast and road conditions before you travel.
• Know how to fit snow chains if your vehicle carries them.
• Ice can stay in shaded places. Brake, steer and accelerate gently.
• In heavy rain, slow down, use your headlights and leave more space.
• Do not drive through moving water at a ford if you cannot tell how deep it is.

Fatigue

• Get enough good sleep before a long drive.
• Take a break about every two hours.
• Share the driving if you can.
• Avoid driving during the hours you normally sleep.
• Avoid large meals and drink plenty of fluids.
• If you feel sleepy, stop somewhere safe and nap for 15 to 30 minutes. If you are very tired, stay the night.

Hazards, motorways and safe habits

Many theory test questions ask what you should do when something unexpected happens. The safest answer usually gives you more time and more space.

Spotting hazards

• Look well ahead, not just at the car in front, and check your mirrors often.
• A ball rolling onto the road may mean a child will run after it.
• A parked car with its brake lights on or someone in the driver's seat may pull out, or a door may open.
• Large trucks may swing wide when they turn, and their drivers cannot see you if you cannot see their mirrors.
• Motorcycles are small and easy to miss. Look twice at intersections.
• Buses pulling out from stops need room, and passengers may cross near the bus.

Motorways

Use the on-ramp to build up speed and merge into a safe gap in the motorway traffic. Never stop, reverse or make a U-turn on a motorway. If you miss your exit, carry on to the next one.

Your vehicle

Keep your windscreen clear so you can see properly, and make sure any load is tied down so it cannot fall onto the road. Tyres with little tread lose grip on wet roads. If your car breaks down, move it off the road if you can and switch on your hazard lights.

Attitude

Stay calm when other drivers make mistakes. Do not speed up when someone is overtaking you, and do not follow too closely to pressure a slow driver. Choose passengers who will not distract you, and pull over safely before you use your phone or look at a map.

Road signs

New Zealand signs follow a simple pattern. Learn the shapes and colours and you can work out most signs.

Regulatory signs

Warning signs

Lanes, motorways and road works