Who can be your supervisor

Learner drivers must always have a supervisor with them. Not everyone can be one.

Who can supervise

So a friend on a restricted licence cannot supervise you, however long they have driven. Someone who got their full licence last year cannot supervise you either – unless they held an equivalent overseas licence for at least 2 years.

What a supervisor does

• They sit in the front passenger seat, next to you, whenever you drive.
• They carry their own driver licence.
• They are responsible for the safety of everyone in the vehicle, so they decide whether you may carry passengers.

Instructors and coaches

You can learn with a professional instructor, a family member or friend, or both.

• A driving instructor charges a fee. They must hold a driving instructor (I) endorsement (an extra qualification shown on a driver licence) and sit in the front passenger seat. Ask to see proof before your first lesson.
• A driving coach is someone you know. They must meet the same rules as a supervisor.

Check your understanding

2 quick questions. Your answers count towards your topic scores.

Question 1 of 2

You are on a learner licence. Your supervisor offers to sit in the back so your friend can have the front seat. Is that allowed?

ANo – your supervisor must sit in the front passenger seat beside youBYes, but only in daylightCYes, if your supervisor agrees to itDYes, as long as the supervisor is somewhere in the car

Question 2 of 2

Your cousin held a full overseas car licence (equal to a NZ full licence) for 4 years. She has now held a full NZ licence for 1 year, with no supervisor condition. Can she supervise you?

ANo – she must have held her NZ full licence for 2 yearsBYes – but only during daylightCNo – only people with 5 years' NZ driving can superviseDYes – an equivalent overseas licence held for at least 2 years counts