Full licence – revision sheet
Printed 2026-09-30 from RoadReady NZ (independent; not an official NZTA document). Always check the official Road Code and NZTA website – rules can change.
1. Full licence eligibility and requirements
Getting your full licence
- Until 24 Jan 2027: minimum restricted period + full test.
- From 25 Jan 2027: no full test (announced).
- Check NZTA before applying.
2. Preparing for the full practical test
Preparing for the full test
- Full test assesses safe independent driving and hazard perception.
- It is announced to end on 25 January 2027.
3. Advanced hazard awareness
Advanced hazard awareness
- Spot hazards before they become emergencies.
- Think about what you can't see.
4. Defensive driving
Defensive driving strategies
- Keep an escape route.
- Let tailgaters pass.
- Stay calm.
5. Complex intersections
Complex intersections
- Choose lanes early.
- Stay in your lane through a turn.
- Wrong lane? Follow it and re-route.
6. Safe highway and motorway driving
Motorways and highways
- Match speed on the on-ramp.
- Keep left unless passing.
- Obey ramp signals.
Overtaking safely
- No passing across yellow no-passing lines.
- Need a long clear view.
- If in doubt, don't.
7. Night driving
Driving at night
- Lights on from sunset to sunrise.
- Dip for oncoming and followed vehicles.
- Dazzled? Slow down and look left.
8. Wet-weather driving
Driving in the wet
- 4-second gap.
- Aquaplaning: ease off, steer straight.
- Headlights on in heavy rain.
9. Rural roads
Rural roads
- Small red arrow = give way at a one-lane bridge.
- Expect gravel, animals and slow vehicles.
10. Sharing the road with heavy vehicles
Heavy vehicles
- Stay out of blind spots.
- Don't cut in front.
- Allow much more room to pass.
11. Vulnerable road users
Protecting vulnerable road users
- Slow down near vulnerable people.
- Give space.
- Be patient.
12. Fatigue and distraction management
Managing fatigue and distraction
- Break every two hours.
- Phone on do-not-disturb.
- Set up before you drive.
13. Emergency situations
Breakdowns and crashes
- Breakdown: off the road, hazard lights.
- Crash: stop, help, call 111, exchange details.
- Injury crash: report to Police within 24 hours.
14. Vehicle safety
Vehicle maintenance and loads
- Maintain between WoFs.
- Secure every load.
- Towing: 90 km/h maximum.
15. Independent driving decisions
Making good decisions
- Plan trips.
- Don't drive impaired or exhausted.
- Resist peer pressure.
16. Full practical test preparation
Full test checklist
- Bring your restricted licence.
- Roadworthy vehicle.
- Check whether you still need the test.
Practice questions (original)
At a one-lane bridge, the round sign facing you has a large black arrow pointing towards you and a small red arrow pointing in your direction of travel. What must you do?
- Give way to vehicles coming from the other direction
- You have priority – drive on
- Sound your horn and cross
What is the maximum speed for a car towing a trailer?
- 90 km/h
- 100 km/h
- 70 km/h
When should you NOT overtake?
- When approaching a crest or blind bend
- On a long straight with a clear view
- In a passing lane
Another vehicle is overtaking you. What should you do?
- Keep left and don't speed up
- Speed up to stop them passing
- Move to the centre of the road
When must your headlights be on?
- From sunset to sunrise, and when you can't clearly see a person or vehicle 100 metres away
- Only after 10pm
- Only on unlit roads
A car is coming towards you at night and you have your high beams on. What should you do?
- Dip your headlights
- Keep them on high beam
- Turn your lights off
Your car starts to aquaplane on a wet road. What should you do?
- Ease off the accelerator and keep the steering straight
- Brake hard
- Steer sharply
How should you join a motorway from an on-ramp?
- Build up speed to match motorway traffic and merge into a safe gap
- Stop at the end of the ramp and wait
- Drive slowly so others notice you
When may you stop on a motorway?
- Only in an emergency
- To take a phone call
- To check a map
What is a 'space cushion'?
- Space around your car that gives you time and room to react
- An airbag
- A parking space
Answers
- Give way to vehicles coming from the other direction – Small red arrow = you wait.
- 90 km/h – Towing? No faster than 90.
- When approaching a crest or blind bend – Don't pass if you can't see far ahead.
- Keep left and don't speed up – Stay left. Don't speed up.
- From sunset to sunrise, and when you can't clearly see a person or vehicle 100 metres away – At night, and when you can't see 100 metres.
- Dip your headlights – Switch to low beam.
- Ease off the accelerator and keep the steering straight – Ease off. Hold the wheel straight.
- Build up speed to match motorway traffic and merge into a safe gap – Speed up on the ramp and fit into a gap.
- Only in an emergency – Only in an emergency.
- Space around your car that gives you time and room to react – Space around your car.