HJ Driver Training Ltd

28/05/2026

Good morning all.
We are running one last Defensive Driving Course this year.
If you need it or want it, now is your chance!
Price - $280 per person.
Where - Gonville School
Time - 6pm til 8pm latest.
Dates - JUNE 8th, 11th, 15th and 18th.
If you would like to be on this course then contact Jake via email at [email protected]

03/05/2026

We can all do our part 🚘

01/05/2026

Some important information to take note of.

If you get demerit points on your restricted car licence between 7 May 2026 and 24 January 2027, time could be added to your minimum restricted licence period on 25 January 2027.

Each time you get demerits, it will extend your restricted period by 6 months.

If you get demerits more than once, you’ll have to wait an extra 6 months each time.

This change will improve road safety for everyone by encouraging inexperienced drivers to drive safely.

If you keep a clean driving record and don’t get any demerits, you won’t have to wait any extra time.

Demerit points are issued by police officers for offences including:
- Speeding
- Drink driving
- Drug driving
- Mobile phone use.

Some things to be aware of:
- if you get demerit points after 7 May but move to your full licence before 25 January, your restricted period won’t be extended
- The extension only applies to people who are still on their restricted licence after 25 January
- Any demerit points you get before 7 May won’t affect your restricted period
- Offences that don’t incur demerit points, such as safety camera fines, won’t add time to your restricted period.

This is the first of the driver licensing system changes announced by the Government in February to start since the Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Amendment Rule 2026 was signed into law earlier this month.

Several other changes to car licences start on 25 January next year:
- Drivers will no longer need to sit a practical test to move from the restricted to the full licence
- The hazard perception test will be included in the restricted practical test
- The learner period for under 25s is extending from 6 to 12 months, with an option to reduce this to 6 months by recording supervised driving hours or completing an approved practical course
- The restricted licence period for under 25s is reducing from 18 to 12 months
- Eyesight tests will no longer be needed when applying for restricted and full car and motorcycle licences.

These changes do not affect overseas licence conversions or senior drivers.

If you're progressing through the car driver licensing system this year, make sure your contact details are up-to-date so we can let you know how the changes may affect you: https://transact.nzta.govt.nz/transactions/ChangeOfAddress/entry

For more information on the changes: https://nzta.govt.nz/driver-licences/getting-a-licence/proposed-changes-to-graduated-driver-licensing/moving-to-the-new-car-licence-system -demerits

For more on demerit points: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/driver-licences/driving-offences-and-penalties/demerit-points

Read the full rule: https://www.legislation.govt.nz/secondary-legislation/pco-drafted/2026/79/en/latest/

16/04/2026

What do you guys think? 🤔

We’re making changes to the warrant of fitness system. On 1 November 2026, these things will change:

• people who buy a new car will need to get their next WoF when the car is 4 years old (it’s currently when the car is 3 years old)
• people with cars between 4–14 years old* will need a WoF every 2 years (it’s currently yearly)
• people with motorcycles registered before 1 January 2000 will need a WoF every year (it’s currently every 6 months).

For a long time we’ve had very frequent vehicle inspections compared to countries overseas. Modern vehicles are significantly safer and more reliable. It’s safer to have less frequent inspections, and this’ll save you time and money.

Cars over 14 years old, and motorcycles registered before 1 January 2000, will move to an annual WoF (up from every 6 months for some vehicles).

If your car has Automatic Emergency Braking or Lane Keep Assist, WoF inspections will now check for warning lights (or malfunction indicators) for these systems.

It’s still your responsibility to maintain your vehicle to the WoF standard between inspections. To reinforce this we’re increasing fines if your vehicle isn’t compliant. From 1 November:

• If you’re driving a vehicle with a WoF that’s expired by more than 2 months, you may be fined $350 (up from $200).
• If you’re driving a vehicle with a wheel or tyre that wouldn’t pass an inspection, you may be fined $350 (up from $150) and up to $1000 (the maximum court-ordered fine).

We’ve made these change following us consulting you for feedback about this towards the end of 2025. Thanks to everyone who shared their feedback with us – we received over 5000 formal submissions, and overall people supported these changes.

Our website has more information about the changes, including a summary and analysis of your feedback to us about these changes: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/changes-to-light-vehicle-inspections

* We’ll be introducing the change for cars between 4–14 years old in phases. From 1 November 2026, cars first registered on or after 1 November 2019 become eligible for WoFs every 2 years. From 1 November 2027, cars first registered from 1 November 2013 to 31 October 2019 become eligible.

04/04/2026

Happy Easter everyone!
Stay safe and enjoy the short break 🐰

08/03/2026

Some useful information 👌

The way people get a driver licence is changing. Here are the changes to the learner, restricted and full licences.

From 25 January 2027 people will no longer need to sit a test to get a full driver licence. You’ll graduate from your restricted to full licence if you keep a clean driving record while on your restricted licence.

The length of time you'll be on your restricted will extend by 6 months each time you get any demerit points.

We’re also rebalancing the licensing system to ensure learners gain the skills and experience they need to drive safely.

For people under 25, the learner period will extend to 12 months. You'll be able to reduce the learner period to 6 months by completing an approved practical course or recording supervised driving hours. Additionally, the default restricted licence period is reducing from 18 to 12 months. You can still get a full licence by age 17-and-a-half if you reduce your learner period.

People over 25 will still have minimum learner and restricted periods of 6 months each. There will no longer be the option to reduce their minimum restricted period to 3 months by completing a course.

All current licence holders will move to the new system on 25 January 2027. This means learner and restricted drivers will be subject to the new licence periods and rules from this date.

The current system still applies until 25 January 2027. Until then, you still need to sit a full licence test if you want to graduate from a restricted licence to a full licence.

Our website has more detail on the changes: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/car-licence-changes

Learn to drive using Drive, our official way to learn. Drive has everything you need to get ready for your learner, restricted, and full licence tests: https://www.drive.govt.nz

03/02/2026

Are you looking to get your class 2,4 or 5 licence?
We can help you with that!
We are running a course starting on March 2nd.
We can assist with Learners too if required.
Contact Nathan on 0278495159 to book or for more information.

27/01/2026

Sorry, we've been a bit slack with the posting lately. Boy have we hit the ground sprinting into the New Year! With lessons being conducted in Ohakune, Whanganui and Marton to Defensive Driving Courses in Ohakune and Whanganui to Dangerous Goods Course and Class 2-5 elsewhere in the country. Thank you to all of you who have used our services and those who plan on it.
Much love from the HJ Driver Training team 💪 🙌

23/12/2025

The team at HJ would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Christmas. Thank you for your support!
Www.hjdrivertraining.co.nz

13/12/2025

We are running a Dangerous Goods Course on Saturday 24th January.

This one day course is $350.

Dangerous Goods Study Guide.
Segregation Wheel.
NZQA fees included.

Limited spaces available so please email Nathan to secure your spot - [email protected]