FAQs - Driver training and licensing

A scooter (or moped) is a bike with an engine capacity of less than 50cc, a maximum power output of 2kw and a max speed of 50 km/h. Some bikes look like mopeds and have the same engine capacity; the gear ratios mean they go faster than 50km/h so should be registered as a motorcycle. Mopeds will also have the letter 'N' printed on the registration label.

Yes, if you hold a valid overseas driver licence. If your overseas licence is not in English then you are required to also have an International Driving Permit. You can drive in New Zealand for a maximum of 12 months.

Driver licences can only be renewed in New Zealand. For more information visit the NZ Transport Agency website.

Visit the NZ Transport Agency website.

You need to go into your nearest AA Centre to book theory and practical driver licence tests because we need to verify who we're making the booking for.

Find your nearest AA Centre

You can visit your nearest AA Centre or Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agent for a full supply of NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Factsheets, application forms, etc. Alternatively, you can visit the NZ Transport Agency website or call them toll free on 0800 822 422 Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.

Find your nearest AA Centre or Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agent or visit the NZ Transport Agency website

You can apply for a new licence by downloading and completing the steps in the Application for a replacement driver licence and/or extension of driver licence validity form (DL2A) available on the NZ Transport Agency website

If you have a RealMe verified identity you can apply for a replacement driver licence on the Transport Agency website, and they will mail your replacement licence card to you overseas. Visit the online driver licence replacement service.

Only New Zealand driver's licence holders can apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP) in New Zealand. If you hold an overseas driver's licence you'll need to apply for an IDP in the country your licence was issued in.

Learner or ‘L’ plates are available here via the AA Shop online, or from AA Centres.

Find your nearest AA Centre.

To change to a full motorcycle licence you'll need to pass a basic handling skills test conducted by an approved motorcycle riding instructor or testing officer. When you have passed the handling skills test you'll move through the graduated licence system.

Yes. You need to pass a practical test to ride a scooter as per the rules for bikes between 50cc and 250cc.

It isn't possible to replace a lost International Driving Permit (IDP). You'll need to apply for a new IDP online, by post or at your nearest AA Centre.

Find out how to apply for an International Driving Permit or find your nearest AA Centre.

Yes, on a Class 6 learner licence.  You must ride a LAMS-approved motorbike, for a list of approved motorbikes see NTZA’s website.   

Yes. You can ride a scooter on a NZ learner licence. You must display an 'L' plate and you'll be governed by learner's licence rules.

Your eyesight will be tested when you renew your driver's licence or apply for your learner's, restricted or full licence. Alternatively, you may bring an Eyesight Certificate from an optometrist or a GP instead.

Yes. You must produce your driver's licence without delay for inspection whenever required to do so by an Enforcement Officer. The maximum penalty for not being able to produce your licence immediately is $1000.

If you currently have, or have had, a medical condition in the last 5 years which impacts your ability to drive safely a medical certificate may be needed. For information on when a medical certificate is needed and how to get one please contact the NZ Transport Agency.

Vist the NZ Transport Agency website.

If you're living overseas and have an old paper licence you can apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP). If you're living in New Zealand (or have moved back to New Zealand from overseas) you'll need to upgrade your paper licence to a photo licence before you can apply for an IDP.

Apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP).

No. You'll need to replace your licence before you can apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP).

Find out how to replace your licence

You'll need to contact the country's licensing authority or consulate in New Zealand.

No, you must hold a valid driver licence that you can show the tutor when you attend the In-vehicle session.

Yes. Your car needs to be fully road legal (e.g. current WoF and registration etc.) or else you will not be taken out on your in-car drive and you will forfeit your session. You will then need to pay for another in-car session to be able to finish your DDC course.

If you are unable to use your own car for the In-vehicle session you can discuss this with your tutor during your DDC course and they will help you organise the use of a car.

The In-vehicle session requires you to demonstrate the techniques discussed in the classroom and focuses on assessing you for the next licence test that you are preparing for (Restricted/Full).

Once registered, eDrive codes are valid for 28 days before they expire. If you do not complete at least five modules at a minimum of 80% before your code expires you will need to contact your course tutor or call us on 0800 223 106 for assistance.

If you are having issues logging in, you may have incorrectly registered your email or have not yet registered. Please contact support@edrive.co.nz with your eDrive code to have your email address corrected.

Yes, so long as your Licence allows you to drive in New Zealand so that you are able to complete the In-car drive session.

To check if your Licence is valid in New Zealand please visit the NZ Transport Agency website.

Yes, you need to complete the In-car session within 60 days of finishing the fourth classroom session. This is a requirement from NZ Transport Agency.

No, you must complete all four classroom sessions (including a minimum of 5 eDrive modules) before you can do your vehicle drive session.

Yes, by law you are required to complete each of the sessions in order. After you have attended the fourth session you can complete the In-vehicle session.

If you do miss one or more of your DDC sessions, in most cases we can arrange to move you onto another course or session. Please contact us on 0800 223 748.

As per our terms and conditions our courses are non-refundable. However if you are unable to attend a course we will be happy to move your booking onto another course free of charge.

Yes, you can attend a DDC on a learner licence.

Currently we can only take bookings online, or over the phone with a credit card.

We only accept credit card and debit card payments. ‘Prezzy cards’ are also accepted, which you can pick up from NZ Post shops.

Yes, a full licence holder will definitely benefit from the subjects covered in the DDC and use the in-vehicle session to assess your driving.

Your diversion officer should have provided you with paperwork and/or information about what you are required to do and the deadlines. Please email your details to aadrivertraining@aa.co.nz or phone 0800 223 748 so that we can help book you onto the right course.

You will need to complete the Defensive Driving Course. Please contact us on 0800 223 748 if you have any queries.

No, the course will not reduce any time off obtaining your motorbike (class 6) licence. Please visit the NZTA website for information about Motorcycle licences.

No, provided you attend all four classroom sessions in sequence, complete the eDrive component of the course and all the homework plus the in-vehicle session in a road legal vehicle, you will achieve your certificate.

Yes. To pass you must:

• Complete all classroom session in order
• Complete all preparation tasks
• Actively participate in classroom sessions
• Complete all 3 eDrive modules with a score of 80%+ on each module
• Complete the 1-hour vehicle drive in a safe manner. Car must be in a road legal condition. Driver must show their drivers licence. Driver must present their completed DDC booklet.
• Safe manner of the 1-hour vehicle drive includes but is not limited to: No breaches of road rules. No illegal manoeuvres.

If any of these criteria are not met satisfactorily, the DDC certificate may be withheld. However, you do have the opportunity to either re-do the course or retake the in-vehicle session at an extra cost.

Completing a DDC while on your learner or restricted licence will enable you to reduce the time you are required to spend on your restricted licence by 6 months.

Companies or individuals who drive a company vehicle and need to complete training as a requirement for their company.   Private individuals need to book via the online booking system for Assessments and public Defensive Driving for Experienced Drivers (DDED).

Advanced Driver Assessment

Online Driver Risk Assessment

Defensive Driving for Fleets & Businesses course (DDFB)

Defensive Driving Plus

Van and Minibus Familiarisation

If you have any special requirements or would like something different to the above services please call the team on 0800 723 338 to discuss your plans.

If there is a minimum or maximum requirement this is listed under the product information. Please call us for more information or to discuss bespoke requirements.

Yes of course, there are spaces available on our Defensive Driving Plus course and we are happy to accommodate any other needs you might have. Call us to discuss 0800 723 338.

An account needs to be set up with AA Driver Training or credit card payment which is required at the time of booking. You will be allocated an account manager who will take care of all your bookings and can discuss the best payment method for you.

As long as your drivers have a full Driver Licence you can book training today. International Licences are fine providing they are converted into English.

For AA Members, the Senior Driver Coaching Session 65+ is available at a discounted charge of $60.00 per session.

AA Members aged 65 and over receive a member benefit discount and can schedule up to 10 discounted coaching sessions per AA Membership. AA Members aged 74 and over can receive one free coaching session every 2 years. 

Refresh your driving skills in your own car with a licensed AA Instructor. The Senior Driver Coaching Session focuses on topics that you, as a seasoned driver, want to learn about. Self-awareness and safety checks are discussed, as well as solutions for managing slower reflexes and the familiarisation of new in-car technology. 

You can renew your driver licence at an AA Licensing Agent. Please see our guide for renewing your driver licence. 

For AA Members aged 74 and over, Senior Driver Coaching Sessions are offered as a member benefit once every two years. All AA Members aged of 65 and over enjoy a Member benefit discount and can book a lesson at any time. For more information please see:

Senior Driver Coaching Session 65+

Senior Driver Coaching Session 74+

Certainly! You can specify your preferences in the "notes" area during the booking process.

You are eligible for the Member benefit if your Senior Driver Coaching Session is scheduled during the time your Membership is active.

Your Coaching Session will begin and end at the location provided while booking. For the Senior Driver Coaching Session 74+, you may contact the AA Driving Instructor once the lesson is booked, to directly to ask for a home pick-up. A home pick-up may be possible at the driving instructor's discretion depending on the location and schedule of the instructor's other lessons. 

Your general practitioner will have to refer you to an occupational therapist. It's a two-part evaluation including off-road and on-road components. The off-road evaluation is conducted by a fully qualified Occupational Therapist and involves a serious test to assess your observation and memory skills, as well as a comprehensive physical functional screening (typically). You will receive a report following your assessment. Visit the Waka Kotahi NZTA website to learn more about occupational therapy assessments.

A Senior Driver Coaching Session is an AA Member benefit that allows you to work with a licenced AA Instructor in your own car to enhance and maintain your driving skills. The AA Driver's Seat Senior Driver Coaching Session focuses on elements that you, as an experienced driver, want covered and helps you build your confidence and renew your driving skills and is not a requirement ahead of renewing your licence.

For more information about renewing your licence

The Practice Full Test is conducted in your personal vehicle or the instructor’s dual control vehicle, if agreed upon with the instructor.  

No, your unused credit / booking is non-transferable, you may request a refund on any unused credit.

You'll have to cancel your current booking and make a new one. When you visit the web portal, it will show you the available instructors in your area as well as their schedules.

The option of using your driving instructor's vehicle should be discussed with your instructor directly and booked in advance, with a charge agreed upon.

As you prepare for your restricted licence test, our experienced AA Instructor will take you through a practice driving test to evaluate your competence and provide constructive feedback. 

The Practice Restricted Test is conducted in your personal vehicle or the instructor’s dual control vehicle, if agreed upon with the instructor.  

Your driving instructor will give you advice and let you know when you're ready to take a Practice Restricted Test during your lessons.

You can talk to the instructor about it. If their car is available and you have previously taken lessons with them, you may be able to use the instructor's vehicle. A fee will need to be agreed upon with the instructor.

Driving Lessons are one hour long and include a brief with your driving instructor about your driving experience and what you'd like to improve on, starting small and progressing to lane shifting, roundabouts, higher speeds, motorway, and nighttime driving through practice. 

In the interest of safety, we advise learning to drive in our instructor’s dual controlled cars. If you wish to use your own car, the instructor will most likely assess your driving in their dual controlled car first, before taking any lessons in your own car. Each of our instructors has different requirements surrounding this so you will need to discuss this with your instructor.

Based on your driving ability, a recommendation will be made and discussed with you at your lesson with your driving instructor. 

Member fees for 1 x 60 minute Driving Lesson costs $65.00 and non-Member costs are $80.00. 

Yes, as an AA Member you can purchase 5 x Driving Lessons for $275 a saving of $125. Non-Members can buy a package of 5 x Driving Lessons at the full price of $400.

A Starter Session is time to plan and includes a briefing, in-vehicle skills assessment, and a planning debrief, the session is specifically developed for beginner drivers with fewer than five hours of driving experience. Your supervisor also attends this session; all learner drivers need a supervisor on their team as they learn the road rules and gain experience behind the wheel.​

You can attend one Starter Session, this helps you plan for your driver journey and sets you up for success.

To schedule a Starter Session, please go to the Starter Session page, click 'Book now'. login to your online portal.

To be a practice supervisor you must have a full licence, which you’ve held for at least two years. It also helps if you:

• are patient and good at explaining things
• give clear instructions
• know the NZ Road Code
• can spend a lot of time with your learner in the car
• stay calm under pressure
• are willing to support a carefully planned learning programme

We recommend that you attend your Starter Session with a supervisor but it is not a necessity.

The Starter Session is one-hour long and is comprised of three parts; a briefing, skills assessment, and a planning debrief. 

Members pay $25.00 and non-members pay $75.00.

Your instructor will assess your driving in their dual controlled car at your starter session, each of our instructors has different requirements surrounding the use of your own vehicle. You will have the opportunity to discuss using your own vehicle for future  planned driving lessons with your instructor.

A valid New Zealand learner driver licence is required to attend a Starter Session as this is a product for a driver new to driving.

Absolutely! As a non-member, the cost of a Starter Session is $75.00.

Driving Lessons must be scheduled through the online portal and will not be exchanged with Starter Sessions.

The goal of a Starter Session is to develop a learning plan and set you up for success early on in your learning to drive journey.

During the booking process, you'll be shown a list of available driving instructors and their vehicle transmission type, manual transmission Starter Sessions can be booked if there is an available instructor in your area.

Please refer to the AA Privacy Policy regarding data and personal information. 

This is an important step as the instructor may need to contact you in a timely manner. Is there an alternative mobile number that could be used? If not please call 0800 223 748 for assistance.

When making your initial booking, centralised pick-ups are standard; however, at your first lesson, you will have the opportunity to discuss the possibility of your driving instructor picking you up at home or school.

You can view feedback from your session or lesson within 24 - 48 hours after your lesson/session by logging into the online portal; no paper notes will be supplied.

You will be required to cancel 24 hours' or more prior to the start time of your booking to avoid being charged the full lesson fee . See our full terms and conditions for more information. The full lesson fee is charged when:

• You are more than 10 minutes late, which will be treated as a no show
• Do not show up
• Cancel the lesson less than 24 hours before the start time

Associate Members are partners/spouses. The Associate Member has the same status as their primary member, with the exception that the Associate Member's subscription is offered at a higher discount. As a result, the associate has the same benefits as the primary (or full paying member).

Benefits of AA Membership cannot be transferred; family and friends must be AA Members to take advantage of member benefits. If your family or friends wish to take advantage of the member benefits advise them to sign up and take advantage of all member benefits including lesson packages.

Credit is non-transferable; if training is no longer necessary, please request a refund from your online portal and the fee will be credited back to the credit / debit card used for the original purchase.

During the booking process, you'll be shown a list of available driving instructors and their vehicle transmission type and you can make a selection. You may also be able to use your own automatic or manual transmission vehicle, this can be discussed directly with your driving instructor. 

You'll be able to choose your preferred instructor, as well as the date and time, during the booking process by logging into the online portal. If you have already booked a particular instructor and then wish to change please cancel your booking/s and re-book with a different instructor if available.

Only AA Members qualify for Member benefits, sign-up and qualify for all Member benefits. 

Credit and bookings are non-transferable. Please cancel your booking and request a refund on an unused Starter Session, Driving Lesson, and Senior Driver Coaching Session when logged in to your online portal, should you no longer require the training. Your refund amount will be for the amount paid at purchase.

Signing up to become a member is easy, simply contact the New Zealand Automobile Association (NZAA) on 0800 500 444 or join online.

After your training, sign into the online portal and navigate to the "Contact Us" to leave feedback on your experience. 

Each instructor is responsible for his or her own vehicle and insurance. Please confirm the specifics with your instructor.

Our instructors all drive dual-controlled vehicles in either an automatic or manual transmission.

When making your initial booking, centralised pick-ups are standard; however, at your first lesson, you will have the opportunity to discuss the possibility of your driving instructor picking you up at another location.

If you fail to arrive, or are more than 10 minutes late for your agreed booking, you will forfeit the lesson. You will be required to re-book and pay for another booking. 24 hours' notice of a cancellation is required to avoid paying for the lesson. See our full terms and conditions for more information.
The full lesson fee is charged when:

1. You are more than 10 minutes late, which will be treated as a no show
2. Do not show up
3. Cancel the lesson less than 24 hours before the start time

Please check you are completing the below steps. To sign up for the first time please make sure you:

• Select "Sign up" at log in screen complete email and password and select continue
• Once you have received a verification email, click "Verify email" within 30 mins of receiving the email. Please check your junk or spam inbox if you have not received this email
• When you have verified the email you can can click "log in and continue"

If you are relocating across New Zealand, make sure you cancel your existing booking. If you cancel your booking more than 24 hours in advance, your account will be credited. You will be able to re-book your lesson in your new location if an AA Driving Instructor offers lessons there.

Cash payments for Member benefits are not accepted; instead, all bookings and payments should be completed after logging in to the online portal. Full price (non-member) lessons booked with your driving instructor can be paid in cash at the discretion of your instructor. 

We are unable to offer lessons unless you have your physical and valid learner, restricted, or full licence ID card with you at the time of your lesson.

24 hours' notice of a cancellation is required to avoid paying for a missed lesson. See our full terms and conditions for more information. 

Below details how often you can take advantage of your AA Member benefits:

• Starter Session; once per AA Membership
• A discount on up to 10 driving lessons per AA Membership (Includes Driving Lessons, Practice Restricted Tests, Practice Full Tests, lessons with a package and cancelled lessons within 24 hours)
• Senior Driver 74+ free Member benefit Coaching Session once every two years
• Senior Driver Coaching Session 65+ Member discount benefit up to 10 sessions per AA Membership