Improving driver licensing

View online

6 October 2025

Tēnā koutou

We’re excited to have reached a major milestone for community driver licensing.

Procurement is underway to enable the roll out of more community driver testing officers (CDTOs) and support services in more regions.

In August, we posted a tender on the GETS website seeking providers to offer support services for students as they progress through the licensing system, including driver education, training and testing.

This aligns with the CDTO model, which offers holistic support and manaakitanga through the licensing process. Our preference is for providers that already offer community programmes for people that face barriers to gaining a licence.

Applications have now closed for the tender. We expect to shortlist applicants this month and aim to award contracts in December.

Thanks to everyone who registered their interest or attended the procurement hui we held in September.

In addition to this procurement, five providers have been identified to deliver CDTO and support services in the priority regions of Waikato, the top of the South Island and the West Coast.

The expansion of CDTO services is the next phase of our strategy to improve access to driver licensing and testing in hard-to-reach communities.

In this issue, you’ll hear about other initiatives including iwi provider Ngāi Tūhoe offering practical testing, and bringing mobile theory testing to small groups.

You can also find out about new learner licence test questions, the reopening of the Community Road Safety Fund, and a survey on the VTNZ practical testing pilot and testing services you'd like for your community.

Ngā mihi nui

Jodi Mitchell

Community Driver Licensing Sponsor, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi

New learner licence test questions from 1 December

Fifty-two new and revised learner licence test questions will go live in our computerised test bank on 1 December 2025.

The questions are being added to update the test to reflect content in the latest Road Code. They have been designed to be easy to understand, consistent and accurate.

Learner licence test applicants must answer 35 questions from the computerised test bank. Increasing the number of questions in the bank will strengthen the test.

The additional questions will encourage applicants to thoroughly learn the road rules to become safe drivers.

The new questions have been published on the NZTA website in English and te reo Māori as an online update of the NZ Road Code, which is currently published in those languages.

This will enable learners to use them to prepare if they are taking their test from 1 December onwards. They will also be available to download and print by learners and driver education providers.

The new questions have also been translated into the 12 other languages that the theory test can be taken in so they can be added to the test bank on 1 December. Those languages are Arabic, Chinese (simplified and traditional), Fijian, Filipino, Gujarati, Hindi, Korean, Punjabi, Samoan, Thai, and Tongan.

You can find the new questions here:

Ngā pātai whakamātautau | Waka Kotahi

Ngā pātai whakamātautau | NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi

New test questions: English | NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi


	Community Road Safety Fund reopening soon We’ve refreshed the vision and purpose of the Community Road Safety Fund (CRSF) – and finalised key dates for the 2025/26 funding round. Our purpose is ‘to enable communities to deliver road safety initiatives that are important to them, and that create safer communities’. We recognise that community organisations are uniquely placed to identify issues that are relevant to them – and to tailor initiatives to meet local needs. The CRSF will prioritise funding for initiatives that: enhance outcomes for young road users (aged 18 and under) by providing direct opportunities to develop their road safety knowledge and skills assist young people (aged 16-24) and people in communities with need, in obtaining or retaining their driver's licence tackle the largest contributors to road-related harm for that community. Applications open at 9am on 14 October 2025 and close on 2 December 2025. For more details and guidance to help community groups prepare their application see our website: Community Road Safety Fund \| NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi



	Vanessa and Dylan from Yes Disability Small group testing making licensing possible An initiative to bring driver theory testing to small groups is reaching communities with diverse needs. Previously community organisations had to gather at least 15 participants to access mobile theory testing. Budget 22 allocated funding for mobile testing for groups fewer than 15 when it is not feasible to gather more participants, or when testing in a smaller group is preferable. That’s the case for the Yes Disability Resource Centre on the North Shore, which provides driver education for people with learning disabilities and neurodiversity. Read more here: Small group testing making licensing possible



	Kanuehi Davis got his restricted licence with support from driving instructor Horowai Te Riini Ngāi Tūhoe offering practical training to learner graduates Ngāi Tūhoe is now offering practical training so it can continue to support its learner licence graduates on their licensing journey. After training 8 hapū trainers to deliver learner licensing, the iwi began offering a learner licensing programme over a year ago. The programme has been supporting whānau to sit their theory test with assistance from Eastbay REAP and the AA mobile theory testing unit, who offer testing in the community. After gaining their learner licence, more than 100 graduates have become ready for the next step – practical training to gain their restricted licence. To be able to offer practical training for whānau sitting restricted and full tests, two hapū members underwent training with Passrite in Gisborne to gain a driving instructor (I) endorsement. Waka Kotahi Regional Advisor Arlouise Brooking says the new driving instructors can now train their own people in their everyday environment in Ruatoki, Ruatahuna, Waimana, or Waikaremoana. ‘Sitting down next to a cuzzie or uncle and learning from them really breaks down anxiety’, Arlouise says. Read more here: Ngāi Tūhoe offering practical training to learner graduates

Survey on VTNZ testing in communities

NZTA and VTNZ are seeking feedback on the first phase of the portable driver testing pilot, which is supporting community providers to deliver practical testing.

Under the pilot which began in April, VTNZ is sending its driver testing officers to community locations to deliver testing based on feedback from providers and our regional advisors.

The pilot has been extended to June 2026 and is operating across the motu except for the Auckland area. In Auckland, we are working with providers and VTNZ to develop flexible practical testing solutions that work for communities.

We’re now surveying providers to get your views on the first phase of the pilot as well as potential support models for the next stage.

Whether or not you participated in the first phase, we’d appreciate you taking time to complete this short survey here: Driver testing pilot survey

For more information about the pilot contact: ruth.stuart@vtnz.co.nz

Legislation to enable a digital driver licence

A bill has been introduced which will help to enable the use of a digital driver licence.

The digital licence would be optional, so people could still choose to use a physical card. It would be securely stored on the user’s device.

The Regulatory Systems (Transport) Amendment Bill introduces the concept of a digital option. Consultation on the bill closed on 2 October.

The Minister of Transport also plans to consult the public on further enabling rule changes early next year, with the aim of signing rule changes in July 2026.

NZTA is collaborating with Austroads to explore the development of a digital option that meets New Zealand requirements. We will advise the Minister of further details including timeframes when scoping is complete.

This is part of a broader effort to modernise and streamline New Zealand’s transport system.

News in Brief

New driving instructor manual

We have published a new version of the Manual for Driving Instructors: Light motor vehicle edition, which reflects best practice driver training, and modern vehicle technology and driving conditions.

The revised manual will be easier to use and better meet the needs of professional driving instructors.

This will help them to deliver quality training for their learners so they can progress through the licensing system to become safe legal drivers

Manual for driving instructors - light motor vehicle edition | NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi

Making it easier for senior drivers to renew their licence

NZTA has improved the senior driver’s licence renewal application process and reminders.

Senior drivers no longer need to fill in their personal information on the driver licence renewal form if that information hasn’t changed.

We’re also sending renewal reminders six months before licence expiry dates so senior drivers have time to book a medical appointment to get a medical certificate. We’ve added extra information about what to expect at their doctor’s appointment.

Seniors can renew their licence up to 6 months before it expires. They need to renew their driver licence at age 75, 80 and every 2 years after that.

Renewing for seniors

Senior driving resources

Staying Safe courses available in your area 

MITO transitioning to industry ownership

From 1 January next year, MITO will start transitioning out of Te Pūkenga to become an industry-owned entity.

This reflects MITO’s commitment to ensuring that vocational education and training remains closely aligned with the needs of industry, learners, and its partners.

This transition is a change of ownership - not a change in service. There will be no change to the way MITO operates or engages with NZTA-approved course providers and assessors.

Updates can be found here: www.mito.nz

Agent changes

AA Takanini: new driver licensing agent open
AA Tokoroa: Class 6 and Class1 ORST practical testing added
VTNZ Te Kuiti: Class 2-5 practical testing added

Tēnā koutou

New learner licence test questions from 1 December

Community Road Safety Fund reopening soon

Small group testing making licensing possible

Ngāi Tūhoe offering practical training to learner graduates

Survey on VTNZ testing in communities

Legislation to enable a digital driver licence

News in Brief