Category: New Driver

Licencing changes announcement February 2026

From January 2027, NZTA is overhauling the driver licensing system to reduce costs and improve safety by removing the full licence practical test, requiring longer learner periods (12 months) for those under 25, and introducing a zero-alcohol limit for all learner/restricted drivers. These changes aim to simplify the process while ensuring more experience is gained, with application fees for the full licence set to drop significantly.

Key Changes to the Graduated Driver Licensing System (Effective Jan 2027):

No Full Licence Test: The practical test to move from restricted to full licence is removed.

Longer Learner Period (<25s): The minimum learner period increases from 6 to 12 months for drivers under 25, though this can be reduced to 6 months by completing a specified approved course or logging more practice hours.

Restricted Period: Set at 12 months for under 25s and 6 months for over 25s.

Zero Alcohol Limit: All learner and restricted drivers, regardless of age, must adhere to a zero-alcohol limit.

Demerit Penalty: Restricted drivers who receive demerit points will have their restricted period extended by 6 months.

Hazard Perception: The hazard perception component of the current full test will move to the restricted practical test.

Other Recent Changes

10-Year Licence: Learner and restricted licences are now issued for 10 years instead of 5, and can be renewed at any time.

No Theory Test to Renew: You do not need to sit a theory test to renew a learner or restricted licence.

These changes are designed to balance reducing barriers to getting a full licence with ensuring younger drivers gain more experience before driving solo

Learning to Drive

Average driver takes three years to feel confident behind the wheel research by a leading Insurance Company found. The average new driver only feels truly confident after three years behind the wheel and after clocking up more than 20,000 miles*, new research by The Co-operative Insurance reveals. According to the study into driving confidence, it also takes the average motorist four months to pluck up the courage to drive on a motorway and four and a half months before they feel ready to drive long distances.

It also takes three months before new drivers will attempt to park in a multi-storey car park and two months before they’ll leave their local neighbourhood.The study also reveals that even long after passing their driving test, many drivers still struggle to get to grips with the road, with motorway driving a cause for worry amongst a quarter (25%) of motorists. Night-time driving is another confidence barrier, as nearly a third (30%) of people struggle to drive in the dark. A quarter (25%) of drivers also say they lack confidence in their ability to park. At Enhanced our highly experience driving instructors knowledge of this area of learner uncertainty – and it is not just learners who need help with driving confidence – help to develop the pupils confidence over numerous road types and weather condition. We pride ourselves on our calm and positive tutoring to enhance the confidence of our pupils. “Our findings remind us that the road can be a daunting place for new drivers and that many motorists lack confidence despite clocking up hundreds of miles on the road. This shows that whilst driving lessons give people the basics in how to drive, the real learning and confidence-building only happens when the L plates are removed.” And when it comes to the sexes, men have more confidence behind the wheel than women do, with eight in 10 men (80%) agreeing that they are confident drivers compared to just six in 10 women (64%). According to the findings, men also believe they get to grips with the road quicker than women, with just one in five males (19%) believing that it takes ‘a long time’ to master the road compared to more than one in four (28%) females. However, whilst men have more confidence in their driving abilities. Insurance company’s own data shows that women drive more safely. According to information collected from insurance schemes, which gives discounts to motorists who drive well, twice the number of new female drivers get the top score for good driving compared to new male drivers. At Enhanced, by giving regular feedback and guidance on how to improve driving, as well as by imparting knowledge and experience, we aim to help create a generation of safe young drivers who can tackle the road with the right level of confidence.