About driver licences
Stage 2 – full licence
Who can apply for a full licence?
You can apply for your class 2-5 full licence once you've gained the corresponding class of learner licence and:
- have held it for at least 6 months, or
- have successfully completed an approved heavy vehicle driving course.
How do I apply for a full licence?
To get your full licence for any class of heavy vehicle licence, you must either:
- pass the appropriate full licence practical driving test, or
- successfully complete an approved heavy vehicle course and demonstrate your skill level to the course provider.
To apply for your full licence, you must either:
- visit a driver licensing agent and:
- present evidence of your identity
- present evidence of your address
- book a time to take the full licence practical driving test or present your certificate from an approved heavy vehicle course
- pay for the full licence practical driving test (if sitting it) and the full licence application
- meet the eyesight requirements
- present a medical certificate
- have your photograph taken
- book your full licence practical driving test over the phone or internet.
OR
How much does it cost?
| Type of application/test | Amount |
|---|---|
| Full licence application (per class) | $48.50 |
| Full licence practical test (per class) | $58.60 |
| Total | $107.10 |
All fees include GST and are non-refundable.
Note: the total amount doesn't include fees for re-sitting tests if you fail the first time. If you need to re-sit a test, you will need to pay another normal test fee, but you won't be charged another application fee.
If you want to change or cancel your test, you will have to pay a further fee.
- Where there are two or more complete working days (excluding weekends and public holidays) between the day you change or cancel your test and the date of your appointment, you will need to pay a rescheduling fee of $16.
- This is a regulated fee to cover the time taken and costs incurred when a test is cancelled or rescheduled.
- Where there are less than two complete working days (excluding weekends and public holidays) between the day you change or cancel your test and the date of your appointment, you will not pay a rescheduling fee but will need to pay a further test fee. This further test fee is not refundable.
You may be eligible for a refund of the first test fee paid where the cancelled test time was subsequently filled by another person. If the test fee is refunded, a processing fee of $16 will be deducted.
Booking practical driving tests via phone or internet
You can book the class 2-5 full driving tests over the phone or internet.
To book over the phone or internet, you will need:
- your current driver licence
- a valid credit card to pay the fee.
You will still need to visit a driver licensing agent prior to your test. The agent will:
- process your application form
- check your identification (bring your driver licence and evidence of your address)
- take your photograph
- collect your signature
- check your eyesight (unless you provide an eyesight or medical certificate)
- check any other relevant certificates, such as a medical certificate or advanced driving skills certificate.
If you don't pass the eyesight requirements, or provide an eyesight certificate prior to your test time, you won't be able to sit the practical driving test and the test fee will not be refunded. Some drivers choose to provide an eyesight certificate instead of having the eyesight check, see Eyesight requirements.
Booking by phone
To book by phone, call 0800 822 422. Your call will go to the NZTA's driver licensing contact centre, who will book a test for you in your local area.
When you book, you'll be told all the details for your test. You will also be posted a confirmation slip. However, you should note down the details of your test in case the confirmation slip doesn't arrive in time.
Your test booking is valid even if your confirmation slip hasn't arrived. If you miss your test, or are more than five minutes late, you will still be charged for the test, and you'll have to rebook another test time and pay another fee.
The phone booking service is available from Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (except statutory holidays).
Booking via the internet
To book over the internet:
- go to transact.nzta.govt.nz
- click on 'Practical driver licence test bookings'
- follow the step-by-step instructions.
Make sure you read the information carefully.
When you've booked online, a confirmation slip will be emailed to you. It's a good idea to print this out and keep it until your test. The onlinebooking service is available seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
Last updated: 30 September 2010