{"id":42069,"date":"2026-04-30T16:59:58","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T03:59:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/?p=42069"},"modified":"2026-04-30T17:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T04:00:00","slug":"restricted-licences-could-be-delayed-if-you-get-demerit-points","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/restricted-licences-could-be-delayed-if-you-get-demerit-points\/","title":{"rendered":"Restricted licences could be delayed if you get demerit points"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A new incentive to drive within the law is launched: the ‘clean driving record’ requirement for car (class 1) restricted licence holders starts on 7 May 2026. In typical NZTA fashion, it’s not that easy to understand, so let’s start with the diagrams:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example 1: your restricted period finishes on 1 February 2027, but you get demerits on 12 August 2026. On 25 January 2027, another 6 months is added to your restricted, which means you can’t get your full licence until 1 August 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Example 2: You’ve already had your restriction for a while and the period finishes on 1 November 2026. You get some demerits on 15 October 2026. However, we’re not in the new car licence system until 25 January 2027, so instead of the 6 months being added from 25 January, they get added from 15 October, so your new restricted period ends on 15 April 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Example 3: You’re a slow learner and you keep getting demerit points – 3 times, in fact!! On 25 January 2027 (or thereafter), 3×6-month extensions will be added to your restricted licence (a total of 18 months!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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So, to recap: if restricted car licence holders get demerit points between\u00a07 May 2026<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a024 January 2027<\/strong>, time could be added to their restricted period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, keep a clean driving record, and there will be no time penalty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each time a driver gets demerits, 6 months will be added to their restricted period.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If they\u2019ve already held their restricted licence for more than the minimum time on 25 January, the 6-month extension applies from the offence date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If they haven’t held their restricted licence for the minimum time by 25 January, the 6-month extension will be added to the end of their restricted period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means it could take longer to progress to a full licence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n