The AA is welcoming the announcement that young drivers in New Zealand will soon spend at least 12 months on a learner licence, with the opportunity to progress sooner by completing a set number of supervised practice hours or approved professional training.
The Government has this month revealed big changes to getting a driver’s licence in New Zealand that will start in January 2027.
Some of the major changes will be:
- The default learner licence period becoming 12 months instead of six
- The removal of the test to gain a full licence
- Tougher consequences for driving offences while on a restricted licence
- A zero-alcohol limit unless a full licence is held
The AA said it hopes the changes will place greater emphasis on experience, skill development and safer driving habits before young people begin driving solo.
“The Government wanted to make it cheaper and easier for people to get to a full licence and the removal of the full test will achieve that – and they have listened to the sector to introduce other changes which will hopefully lead to better prepared, safer young drivers as well,” said AA road safety spokesperson Dylan Thomsen.
Authorities will decide in coming months exactly how many hours of practice or what professional training will be required to qualify for the shorter learner period.
A recent AA Research Foundation survey found around half of drivers under 25 had less than 40 hours of practice before sitting their restricted test, with nearly one in five reporting fewer than 15 hours.
New Zealand currently has about 90 deaths and 600 serious injuries a year from crashes where a young driver is judged to be at fault, according to Ministry of Transport data.
The AA is encouraging families, supervisors and learner drivers to make the most of the upcoming strengthened learner period.
