Driver licensing rules will change
Rules for driver licensing will change.
Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Amendment Rule (No 2) 2026
What's changing
- Electronic driver licences can be approved and shown to enforcement officers instead of physical licences.
- First-time applicants can apply online and take driver theory tests online in an approved way.
- The accelerated licensing process would be removed.
- Some tractors and special-type vehicles can be driven at up to 40 kph instead of 30 kph.
- Applications for licences, endorsements and driver cards would use forms approved by the Director of Land Transport.
Who's affected
Driver licence applicants, learner and restricted licence holders, drivers of certain tractors and special-type vehicles, and enforcement officers would be affected.
When
Most changes start on 3 November 2026; changes removing accelerated licensing and raising certain speed limits start on 22 October 2026, while some online licensing changes start on 25 January 2027.
Background
The rule says it is intended to modernise driver licensing by supporting electronic licences, online applications and online theory tests. It also removes the accelerated licensing process and raises certain tractor and special-type vehicle speed limits.