Proposed Improvements to New Zealand’s Graduated Driver Licensing System

Overview

This document discusses the Government’s proposed improvements to New Zealand’s Graduated Driver Licensing System (GDLS or licensing system).

Consultation gives the people and organisations affected by proposals an opportunity to give their views and help make sure the resulting changes are sound and work well.

The proposals in this document are designed to work together. We recommend you read the entire document before providing feedback.

Your specific feedback on the proposals in this document will help inform the final proposals and any changes to the Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Rule 1999 (the Rule) and the Land Transport Act 1998 (the Act).

The Cabinet paper agreeing to public consultation and the supporting interim Regulatory Impact Statement are published alongside this consultation document.

Consultation closes 9 June 2025.

What happens next

Now that the consultation has closed, we will analyse submissions and advise the Minister of Transport on the outcome of consultation. Your specific feedback on the proposals will help inform our advice to the Minister.

The Minister intends to have changes implemented by 1 July 2026. Once final decisions are made on the changes, we will work with NZTA on implementation and transitional arrangements.