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Getting your driver's licence
Edgeware Road conference report
2007 conference held following the deaths of Jane Young and Hannah Rossiter at a party on Edgeware Road.
Learning to drive a car or motorcycle is one of the great things about being a teenager. Freedom to go to the places you need to, or go away for weekend trips. Learning to drive involves eyesight checks, medical certificates and Road Code theory and practical tests. You have also the option of becoming an organ donor.
New Zealand's graduated driver licensing system has three stages:
Each stage has a test you have to pass. There's a theory test to begin stage 1, and driving tests to begin stages 2 and 3.
As you move from one stage to the next you're given a new licence, with different requirements and more responsibilities. Normal road rules apply at all times. You must always have your licence with you when you're driving, and you must be at least 15 years old before you can apply for a car driver licence.
Land Transport NZ, part of the Ministry of Transport, set the standards for learners to meet. Their website has comprehensive information about driver licensing.
If you are a learner driver you must not drive on your own - a person who has had their full licence for at least two years must be in the front passenger seat.
You must also:
- Display 'L' (learner) plates on the front and rear of the vehicle;
- Carry your learner licence with you at all times.
Motorcycles and mopeds
Motorcycles and mopeds are popular choices with young drivers. Cheap to run, the are usually cheaper to buy and maintain than cars. Registration and licensing fees are also lower. The LTSA fact sheet on mopeds explains how they differ from motorcycles, what equipment a moped must have and the rules for riders.
Mopeds must have a power output of less than 2kW and have a top design speed of less than 50kph. You can ride a moped with a car licence.
Motorcycle riders must pass a basic handling skills test and need a specialised motorcycle licence to ride on the road. LTNZ’s How to get a motorcycle licence factsheet explains.
Motorcycle riding requires skills that you can only gain by spending time on a motorcycle. For this reason, you can't legally ride a motorcycle on the road using a car driver licence. You need a Class 6 (motorcycle) licence to ride a motorcycle on the road.
Driving resources
- Your rights on the road - heaps more sites about road safety, driver licensing, fines and more
- Fuelsaver – including fuels myths and tips
- Pricewatch – website monitors fuel prices around the country
- Ebikes – electric scooters – no licence needed!
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