O endorsements: How to become a testing officer

Practical driving tests may only be conducted by testing officers who are employed by or contracted to the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), its testing agent or the NZ Defence Force.

If you're not a New Zealand citizen or don't hold a resident permit, you may need a work permit or some other temporary permit to show that you can work in New Zealand.

Once you have gained employment with the testing agent you can then commence certification training. It is the responsibility of the testing agent to provide you with the Testing officer's manual and to train you to conduct tests appropriately in order to meet the standards required. You will be required to demonstrate your understanding of the requirements of driver testing by successfully completing the certification testing administered by the NZTA. This involves sitting and passing a range of theory and practical tests about testing procedures as well as conducting and marking practical tests. The testing agent will arrange for you to sit the tests when you are ready.

If you're not sure whether you need an O endorsement, please call our driver licensing contact centre on 0800 822 422 or contact any NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) office.

What you need

A job offer from the testing agent. Contact us for the name of the current agent – info@nzta.govt.nz or 0800 822 422.

You must hold, and have held for at least two years, a full New Zealand driver licence of any class other than class 6.

If you haven't done so in the last five years you must pass a full licence test required for a Class 1 licence. This will be arranged for you by the agent.

Applying for the endorsement

You can apply for the endorsement at your nearest driver licensing agent (selected branches of New Zealand Automobile Association, Vehicle Testing New Zealand and Vehicle Inspection New Zealand).

You need to bring:

• a completed DL20 application form
• evidence of your identity (eg your current New Zealand driver licence)
• evidence of your address (eg a recent bill or account statement) 
• a medical certificate (if applicable)
• a certificate showing you have successfully completed the certification tests
• a Notice of determination (if applicable)
• a cheque, cash or EFTPOS card to pay the application and vetting fees.

Options when applying

You'll be subject to a fit and proper person check. You may not want to complete the certification tests until you're more certain that your application will be approved. For this reason you've got two options. You can:

1. provide a certificate showing you've successfully completed the certification tests, or
2. submit your application without the appropriate certificate and either
   • wait for the result of the fit and proper person check before completing the certification tests, or
   • complete the certification tests while you wait for the result of the fit and proper person check.

If you meet the fit and proper person requirements, you'll be sent a Notice of determination (valid for 90 days). Show the valid Notice to the driver licensing agent when you go to complete your application. If the Notice expires before you finish the certification tests, call the contact centre on 0800 822 422.

This means that you can provide proof that you've passed a certification test when you apply, or wait for confirmation that you've passed the fit and proper person check and then submit proof.

Eyesight requirements

You must prove that your eyesight meets the required standard each time you apply for a new licence class or endorsement or renew your licence. To do this you can:

• present a satisfactory eyesight certificate issued by a New Zealand-registered optometrist (this certificate must be no more than 60 days old)
• present a satisfactory medical certificate issued by a New Zealand-registered medical practitioner (this certificate must be no more than 60 days old and must specifically cover eyesight)
• pass an eyesight screening check at a driver licensing agent.

Note: the agents' eyesight screening machines eliminate the need for many drivers to be tested by an optometrist or medical practitioner. However, if you don't pass the screening check then you must provide one of the certificates listed before your application can proceed. Some drivers choose to supply a certificate instead of taking a screening check. If you have vision in only one eye you must present an eye certificate from a doctor or optometrist.

Do I need a medical certificate?

You need to present a medical certificate for an O endorsement if:

• you haven't submitted a medical certificate for classes 2 to 5 or endorsements P, V, I or O in the last five years
• you've developed a medical condition that could adversely affect your ability to drive safely, or a condition has worsened
• you're requested to by the NZTA (regardless of when you last presented a medical certificate).

A medical certificate must be from a New Zealand-registered medical practitioner and dated no more than 60 days before the date of your application.

Fit and proper person checks

Your application will be sent to the nearest NZTA office for a fit and proper person check to be undertaken.

Some of the factors that may be taken into account are any:

• criminal convictions, including any charges or convictions relating to violent or sexual offences, drug or firearm offences, or offences involving organised criminal activity
• transport-related offences, especially relating to safety
• history of behavioural problems
• past complaints about a transport service the applicant has operated
• history of persistent failure to pay fines for transport-related offences.

In the interests of public safety, any other information can also be taken into account when your fitness to hold an endorsement is considered.

The fee for conducting the fit and proper person check is called a vetting fee.

If you pass the check and have met all the other requirements (eg passed a certification test), the NZTA will send you a new licence with the O endorsement on it.

Fees

Testing officer endorsements can be issued for one year or five years.

	Application	Vetting	Certification tests	Total
1 year	$64.40	$28.80	$476.30	$569.50
5 years	$246.30	$144.10	$476.30	$866.70

Where you can find out more

• Contact us: info@nzta.govt.nz.
• Phone our driver licensing contact centre on 0800 822 422.
• Write to us: NZ Transport Agency, Transport Registry Centre, Private Bag 11777, Palmerston North 4442.

About factsheets

The information in this factsheet is a general guide only. It is not the source of the law.