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New Zealand · Theory exams

PPL cost in NZ: who charges what

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) charges to issue the licence and to apply for a medical certificate. The rest of what a private pilot licence (PPL) costs in NZ is priced by others: Aspeq for the theory exams, your medical examiner for the check-up, and your flight school or aero club for the flying and ground lessons. So to work out a total, you need quotes from them.

  • $253CAA fee to issue a private pilot licence
  • $132.83CAA medical application fee, NZ residents
  • No CAA feeFee with a DL9P driver licence medical
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Updated November 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

How much does a PPL cost in NZ with training?

One school’s published price: Nelson Aviation College lists $32,931 for domestic students on its Private Pilot Licence (Aeroplane) training scheme, and $41,190 for international students. It calls both indicative, the most it may charge. The price covers 58 hours of Cessna 152 flying and 2 hours in a simulator, including the flight test, and student loans don’t cover it.

Other schools and aero clubs set their own prices, so compare what each quote includes. The rules set minimum flying hours of different kinds, and the guide lists them.

Flying hours and other requirements →

Other CAA charges

Other CAA fees you might meet:

ItemFee
Medical application, non-resident$115.50
Replacing a licence or rating$108.90
Validating a foreign pilot licence$216.69

The fees list shows the CAA’s fees with goods and services tax included, and the non-resident medical fee is from its medical page. The CAA’s pricing review says the levels set from 1 July 2025 stay until 30 June 2027. You pay through its online payments page, by Mastercard, Visa or internet banking, and quote the receipt with your application.

See the CAA’s fees list ↗

PPL exam fees

Aspeq, not the CAA, charges for each theory exam, and you pay it in Aspeq’s Candidate Portal when you book. Its change and cancellation terms depend on the exam, so check them as you book. If you don’t turn up, Aspeq says the fee generally won’t be refunded or credited.

A theory course may include the first exam fees in its price, as the one on the study page does.

Theory courses and books, with prices →

Medical and fit and proper person costs

The medical examiner charges for the examination on top of the CAA’s application fee. A DL9P, the NZ Transport Agency’s driver licence medical certificate with a passenger endorsement, comes from your own health practitioner instead, but you fly with fewer privileges, which the guide lists.

For the fit and proper person check, the Ministry of Justice convictions report is free but takes at least four weeks. The CAA notes that Veritas Check New Zealand sells a paid one.

Sources: Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand · Aspeq · Nelson Aviation College and 5 more. Checked November 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

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