Legal ages in New Zealand

Driving - Learners Licence; 15 years

Learner licence conditions.

1. You must not drive on your own. A supervisor must be sitting in the front passenger seat beside you when you're driving. Your supervisor must hold (and have held for at least two years) a current full New Zealand driver licence.
2. You must display 'L' (learner) plates on the front and rear of the vehicle.
3. You must have your learner licence with you when you're driving.

Restricted licence conditions

Holders of a restricted licence must adhere to the following conditions:

• You can drive on your own, but not between 10 pm and 5 am. Between these times you must be accompanied by a supervisor, who must sit in the front passenger seat beside you. Your supervisor must hold a current, full New Zealand driver licence and have held this for at least two years.
• If you sat the test in an automatic transmission vehicle, your licence will say that you can only drive automatic vehicles.
• You must not carry passengers unless you have a supervisor with you (there are some exceptions - see Factsheet 3 for more information).

Moving to a full licence

You can apply for a full driver licence:

• after 18 months on your restricted licence if you're under 25 years of age
• after six months on your restricted licence if you're 25 years of age or older.

If you successfully complete an approved course, the length of time you must hold your restricted licence for may be reduced:

• to 12 months for those aged under 25 years
• to three months for those aged 25 or older.

You must present the course certificate to the driver licensing agent when you book the practical test.
For under 25 year olds who wish to complete an approved course, the course must be undertaken after you have held your restricted licence for at least six months.
The two approved courses are:

• Street Talk
• a New Zealand Defensive Driving Course (call 0800 223 748 for more information).

Remember that you must carry your restricted licence with you at all times when you're driving.

• If you're under 20 years old, the legal alcohol limit is 30 mg/100 ml of blood. This is effectively a zero limit - one drink means you can be charged with drink driving.
• If you're over 20 years, the legal alcohol limit is 80 mg/100 ml of blood. Your driving, however, may be affected well before you reach the legal alcohol limit.

Other legal ages in New Zealand

Voting; 18 years

Consent to Sex; 16 years

Buying a Lotto ticket; Any age

Buying a Instant Kiwi ticket; 16 years

Gun Licence; 16 years

Gaining a student pilots licence; 16 years

Get married (with parental consent); 16 years

Leave school; 16 years

Leave home; 16 years

Join armed forces; 18 years

Operate a credit card or cheque account; 18 years

Enter in contracts; 18 years

Rent a house or apartment in your own name; 18 years

Owning Dogs; Any age

Buying Tobacco; 18 years

Place a bet in a TAB; 18 years

Drinking in Pubs; 18 years

Legally an Adult; 20 years

Entering the Casino gaming area; 20 years

Adult minimum wage rates; 20 years

Serve on a jury; 20 years