Core learner licence questions and answers
These are the questions from the practice quiz above, with the correct answer and a short explanation. Try the quiz first, then use this list to check your learning.
1. What is the minimum age to apply for a learner licence?
Answer: 16
You can sit the learner licence from 16.
2. Who can supervise you while you're on your learner licence?
Answer: Someone who has held a full licence for at least 2 years
Your supervisor must have held a full licence for at least 2 years.
3. Where must your supervisor sit?
Answer: In the front passenger seat
Your supervisor sits in the front passenger seat so they can help you.
4. Where must L plates be shown?
Answer: On the front and back
L plates must be clearly visible on the front and back of the vehicle.
5. Can you carry passengers on a learner licence?
Answer: Yes, if your supervisor allows it
You can carry passengers only if your supervisor allows it.
6. What is the alcohol limit for a driver under 20?
Answer: Zero
The limit for drivers under 20 is zero.
7. What is the breath alcohol limit for a fully licensed driver aged 20 or over?
Answer: 250 mcg per litre
The limit is 250 mcg per litre of breath, or 50 mg per 100 ml of blood.
8. You're stopped at red lights. Can you text on a hand-held phone?
Answer: No, it's still illegal
You're still driving when you're stopped in traffic, so a hand-held phone is not allowed.
9. Unless a sign says otherwise, what is the speed limit in a built-up urban area?
Answer: 50 km/h
The default urban limit is 50 km/h.
10. What is the maximum speed when passing a stopped school bus?
Answer: 20 km/h
Pass a stopped school bus at no more than 20 km/h, whichever direction you're going. Children may run across the road.
11. In good, dry conditions, what is the minimum following distance?
Answer: 2 seconds
Use the 2-second rule in good conditions.
12. What following distance should you use in wet weather?
Answer: 4 seconds
Double it to at least 4 seconds when the road is wet.
13. How much space should you give a cyclist when passing?
Answer: 1.5 m
Give cyclists at least 1.5 m when you pass.
14. At an uncontrolled intersection you're turning right and an oncoming car is going straight through. Who gives way?
Answer: You
If you're turning, give way to traffic that isn't turning.
15. You're turning right. An oncoming car is turning left into the same road. Who gives way?
Answer: You
A vehicle turning right gives way to an oncoming vehicle turning left.
16. You're at a T-intersection on the road that ends. Who do you give way to?
Answer: All vehicles on the through road
Vehicles on the ending road give way to all traffic on the through road.
17. At a roundabout, who do you give way to?
Answer: Vehicles on your right
At a roundabout, give way to vehicles coming from your right.
18. What must you do at a Stop sign?
Answer: Stop completely, then give way to all traffic
Always come to a complete stop, then give way to all traffic.
19. An ambulance with flashing lights and a siren comes up behind you. What should you do?
Answer: Pull over to the left and stop when it's safe
Move to the left and stop when it's safe, so the emergency vehicle can get past.
20. A pedestrian is walking on a zebra crossing. What must you do?
Answer: Give way to them
Give way to pedestrians on a pedestrian crossing.
21. Two lanes merge into one with no lane markings. What's the rule?
Answer: Merge like a zip: the vehicle ahead goes first
Merge like a zip. Whichever vehicle is ahead goes first, and drivers take turns.
22. How long must you indicate before turning or changing lanes?
Answer: At least 3 seconds
Indicate for at least 3 seconds before you turn or change lanes.
23. When must you dip your headlights?
Answer: Within 200 m of a vehicle coming towards you or ahead of you
Dip your lights within 200 m of oncoming traffic or a vehicle you're following.
24. When must your headlights be on?
Answer: From 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise
Headlights must be on from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, and any other time you can't see clearly for 100 m.
25. The traffic light turns amber as you approach. What should you do?
Answer: Stop, unless you're too close to stop safely
Amber means stop, unless you're so close that you can't stop safely.
26. There's a solid yellow line on your side of the centre line. What does it mean?
Answer: No passing or crossing the line
A solid yellow line on your side means you must not cross it to pass.
27. A railway level crossing has flashing red lights. What do you do?
Answer: Stop and wait until the lights stop flashing
Flashing red lights mean stop. Wait until they stop flashing before you cross.
28. How close to an intersection can you park?
Answer: No closer than 6 m
Don't park within 6 m of an intersection.
29. How close to a driveway can you park?
Answer: No closer than 1 m
Leave at least 1 m clear of a driveway.
30. What do broken yellow lines at the edge of the road mean?
Answer: No stopping at any time
Broken yellow lines mean no stopping at any time.
31. Who is responsible for making sure a 12-year-old passenger wears a seatbelt?
Answer: The driver
The driver is responsible for passengers under 15.
32. Up to what age must a child be in an approved child restraint?
Answer: Under 7
Children under 7 must be in an approved child restraint.
33. What does a sign with a red circle usually mean?
Answer: Something you must not do
Red circles tell you what you must not do, such as no entry or a speed limit.
34. What does a round blue sign mean?
Answer: Something you must do
Blue circles tell you what you must do, such as keep left.
35. What does a yellow diamond-shaped sign mean?
Answer: A warning about the road ahead
Yellow diamonds warn you about hazards such as curves, narrow bridges or animals.
36. What do orange signs mean?
Answer: Temporary roadworks
Orange signs mean temporary roadworks. Follow their speed limits.
37. Where should you drive on a two-way road?
Answer: As close to the left as practical
Keep as close to the left as is practical.
38. You start feeling sleepy on a long drive. What's the best thing to do?
Answer: Stop somewhere safe and rest
Fatigue is a major crash factor. Stop somewhere safe and rest.
Always check the official NZ Road Code from NZTA, as rules can change.