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New Zealand · Theory test

The NZ road code: where to read it online or in print

Every question on the learner licence theory test comes from the official New Zealand road code, which explains the road rules you follow when you drive. You can read the NZ road code free online as the Drive Road Code, from NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) and ACC (the Accident Compensation Corporation), or study the printed Official New Zealand Road Code book. Drive says you can buy the book at a bookshop or borrow one from a library.

  • FreeTo learn the road code on Drive
  • 12Chapters, each with its own test
  • LibraryWhere Drive says you can borrow the book
Open the Drive Road Code

Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

What is the NZ road code?

It’s the official guide that explains New Zealand’s road rules, written so drivers can learn them. Drive says these rules are essential to being a safe driver, and that’s why you pass a test on them before you start learning to drive on the road.

Motorcycles need a licence of their own, and so do heavy vehicles.

Reading the road code online

The Drive Road Code breaks the official road code into short interactive units, grouped into 12 chapters. Each chapter ends with a test, and passing chapter tests unlocks official practice tests. Tricky words are underlined, so you can tap them to see what they mean.

It works on a computer, tablet or phone. You can use it without an account, but you sign up to save your progress. The Drive Go app doesn’t include it, so use the website.

How Drive’s practice tests unlock →

Is there an NZ road code PDF?

Drive publishes its road code as an interactive website rather than a PDF. What it does offer as PDFs are three short licence guides, one each for the learner, restricted and full stages. The learner guide covers booking, ID, the test and the learner conditions on two pages.

Drive: Learner licence guide (PDF) ↗Drive: Restricted licence guide (PDF) ↗Drive: Full licence guide (PDF) ↗

The road code book

If you’d rather study from paper, the Official New Zealand Road Code is sold as a book. The AA (New Zealand Automobile Association) sells it in AA Shop alongside L plates, and Drive’s learner licence guide says you can buy it from a bookshop or borrow it from a library.

AA Shop: Learner drivers ↗

Road rules in the road code

The road code covers road rules, hazards and safe driving. Drive’s pages explain rules such as these:

  • Give way rules at intersections, and Stop signs
  • Signalling, including at roundabouts
  • Speed limits and following distances
  • Lanes, merging, flush medians and overtaking
  • Pedestrian, school and railway crossings
  • Headlights at night and driving in the wet
  • Where you can and can’t park
  • Alcohol limits and licence conditions
The 35 questions on the test →
Sources: Drive · AA and 4 more. Checked October 2026.

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

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