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Updates to the Road code
This page lists any updates to The official New Zealand road code since the last published edition. These changes will usually have been caused by a legislation change.
Other update pages:
- The official New Zealand road code for heavy vehicle drivers
- The official New Zealand road code for motorcyclists
Land Transport (Road User) Amendment Rule 2009 and the Land Transport Amendment Act 2009 - November 2009
Changes have been made to the Land Transport (Road User) Amendment Rule 2009 and the Land Transport Amendment Act 2009. These changes came into effect on 1 November 2009.
Cellphones - The official New Zealand road code, page 133
The following text replaces the information in the Cellphones section:
While you are driving, you cannot create, send, or read a text message on a mobile phone or use a hand-held mobile phone to make, receive or end a phone call. This includes accessing online services in any way.
You can, however, use your mobile phone to make, receive or terminate a telephone call while driving if the phone is secured in a mounting fixed to the vehicle and you manipulate the phone infrequently and briefly.
You can also use a mobile phone while driving to make a 111 or *555 call if it is unsafe or impractical to pull over and stop in a safe place at the side of the road to make the call.
Driver distraction - The official New Zealand road code, page 133
The following text replaces the third bullet point under Driver distractions:
- Talking on a hands free cellphone
Responsibility - The official New Zealand road code, page 135
The following text replaces the information given under Responsibility:
As the driver you are responsible for making sure passengers under the age of 15 are using an approved child restraint or safety belt.
- Children under five must be in an approved child restraint.
- Children aged between five and seven must use an approved child restraint or wear a safety belt.
- Children aged between eight and 14 must wear a safety belt.
The safety belt must be worn correctly and kept securely fastened while the vehicle is in motion on the road. Passengers 15 years and over are responsible for making sure that they wear their own safety belts correctly and that they keep them fastened while the vehicle is in motion.
Not wearing a safety belt - The official New Zealand road code, page 143
The following text replaces the information in the Not wearing a safety belt section:
You can be fined if you are aged 15 or over and you drive or ride in a vehicle without wearing a seat belt, or if you do not wear your safety belt correctly. If you are the driver, you can also be fined if any passengers under the age of 15 are not in an approved child restraint and or safety belt, or if they are not wearing their safety belts correctly.
Safety rules for moped riders - The official New Zealand road code, page 171
The following text replaces the first bullet point under Safety rules for moped riders:
- A moped is a motor vehicle. Therefore, you must not ride it on the footpath or a cycle path. The exception is where a road controlling authority has authorised the use of a footpath by a moped or motorcycle rider for the purpose of delivering newspapers, mail or other printed material to letterboxes.
The following are new additional bullet points under Safety rules for moped riders:
- You must turn on your moped's headlight during the hours of darkness, from 30 minutes after sunset, until 30 minutes before sunrise.
- You must also turn on either your moped's headlight or daytime running lights during daylight hours if your moped was manufactured on or after 1 January 1980.
Demerit point table - additional offences and penalties - October 2009
The official New Zealand road code, page 142
The following offences have been added to the demerit points list:
| Offence | Demerit points |
|---|---|
| Operating a noisy vehicle | 25 |
| Creating excessive noise within or on a vehicle | 25 |
| Drive or ride an all terrain vehicle, motorcycle or moped without a securely fastened approved helmet | 25 |
| Drive or ride an all terrain vehicle, motorcycle or moped with a damaged etc safety helmet | 25 |
Moped definition - October 2009
The official New Zealand road code, page 171
This moped definition replaces the current definition found in the road code:
A moped is either:
- a motor vehicle (other than a power assisted pedal cycle) on two wheels, designed to be ridden at a speed not exceeding 50km, which either has an engine capacity of no more than 50cc or a power source other than a piston engine, or
- a motor vehicle on three wheels which was registered before 29 June 2009 and designed to be ridden at a speed not exceeding 50km and has a power output of no more than 2kw.
Class information - Class 2 licence - October 2009
The official New Zealand road code, page 179
A further bullet needs to be added to the 'in addition section' for Class 2 driver licences.
- a tractor with a GLW of more than 4500kg but less than 18,001 kg, if driven at a speed over 30kph.
Learner licence theory tests - July 2009
The following changes apply to all three versions of the Road code, in the chapter titled "Stage 1 - learner licence".
From August 2009 the learner licence theory test will move from a paper-based test to a computerised version. It is estimated that the computerised version will be compulsory at all testing agents in 2010. Talk to your driver licensing agent about which is available in your area. Both tests are explained in more detail below.
Computerised theory test
The test is made up of 35 questions. There are 25 questions about road rules and road hazards and 10 questions about safety practices that relate to the type of vehicle you are applying for a licence for (see New Zealand's driver licensing system for the different classes of licence you can apply for). The questions will appear in a random order.
All questions are multi-choice and you select the answer you think is correct by clicking on it. You can change your mind after clicking an answer but it will be locked in when you decide to move onto the next question. You will know if you have correctly answered the question before the next question displays.
To pass the test you need to get at least 32 (33 for Heavy vehicle drivers) questions right out of 35. If you get more than three questions wrong, you will need to book to take the test again at another time, and you’ll need to pay another test fee.
If you pass the test, you’ll be given a temporary learner licence, which is valid for 21 days, to use until you receive your photo driver licence in the mail.
Paper-based theory test
The test is made up of two test papers: a general paper and a specialist paper. The general paper has 25 questions about road rules and road hazards. The specialist paper contains 10 questions about safety practices that relate to the type of vehicle you are applying for a licence for (see New Zealand's driver licensing system for the different classes of licence you can apply for).
Both papers are multi-choice scratch tests, which means you should select the answer you think is correct by scratching the panel next to that answer. This will reveal either a tick, to show your answer is right, or a cross, to show your answer is wrong.
To pass the test you need to get at least 32 (33 for Heavy vehicle drivers) questions right out of 35. If you get more than three questions wrong, you will need to book to take the test again at another time, and you’ll need to pay another test fee.
If you pass the test, you’ll be given a temporary learner licence, which is valid for 21 days, to use until you receive your photo driver licence in the mail.
How should I prepare for the theory test?
Before you book your theory test, you need to be thoroughly familiar with the road rules. You will need to read and learn everything in The official New Zealand road code for heavy vehicle drivers. You will probably need to read it several times to know and understand everything you need to know to be a safe driver.
To help you learn the road rules, you can test yourself against the questions from the theory test, Learner licence theory test questions. You can test yourself and buy practice tests from www.roadcodepractice.co.nz.
Speech or language difficulties
Besides English, the computerised theory test will be available in the following languages:
- Maori
- Arabic
- Chinese (simplified and traditional)
- Korean
- Samoan
- Tongan
- Hindi
- Gujarati
- Punjabi
Paper-based theory test translations remain available only in the following languages:
- Arabic
- Chinese
- Korean
- Samoan
- Tongan.
Passing on a three-laned road - April 2009
The official New Zealand road code, page 43
The image on the left, below, has been replaced with the image on the right.
Wrong Right
The position of Warrant of Fitness label on your vehicle: re-worded - April 2009
The official New Zealand road code, page 147
The WoF label is attached to the inside of the windscreen, on the same side as the steering wheel, and must be clearly visible from outside the vehicle. The recommended position is in the top corner of the windscreen.
Last updated: 4 November 2009