Book your licence test on the phone or on-line

For immediate release
3 August 2004

Book your licence test on the phone or on-line

Driver licensing practical tests can now be booked and paid for by telephone and over the internet.

"The improved booking system will be a real benefit to drivers who have previously had to travel some distance to book a test with an agent, especially people living in rural areas. It will also make it easier for those who wish to avoid driving in heavy traffic at busy times of day to get to their local driver licensing agent," said Director of Land Transport Safety David Wright.

The telephone and internet booking system will cover the following tests:
- Restricted licence tests (car and motorcycle)
- Full licence tests (car, motorcycle and heavy vehicles)
- Older driver tests (for drivers aged 80, 82, 84, etc).

Some transactions, like converting an overseas driver licence to a New Zealand driver licence and booking tests for licence endorsements will still have to be carried out in person at driver licensing agents. There will be no change to LTSA driver licensing agent services, and people will still be able to book their practical test in person through an agent.

Questions and answers on the LTSA's telephone and internet booking services are available from www.ltsa.govt.nz. To book a licence test, ring 0800 822 422 or visit www.ltsatransact.govt.nz

Questions and answers for
LTSA’s telephone and internet test booking services

Operational

Where can I find these services?
Call 0800 822 422, or visit www.ltsatransact.govt.nz
What driving tests can I book through the phone and online, and what ones can’t I book?
You can book the following types of tests by phone or online:
- Restricted licence tests (car and motorcycle).
- Full licence tests (car, motorcycle and heavy vehicles).
- Older driver licence tests (for drivers aged 80, 82, 84, etc).

You can’t book the following types of tests by phone or online and will need to go to an LTSA Agent:
- changing from an overseas driver licence for a New Zealand driver licence
- tests for passenger (P), vehicle recovery (V), driving instructor (I) or testing officer (O) licence endorsements.
If you’re booking a learner licence theory test, you’ll need to visit an LTSA Driver Licensing Agent directly to make a time.

Why can’t I book the above tests online or over the phone?

An LTSA Driver Licensing Agent needs to view certain material (eg, your existing overseas driver licence) before you can book your driver licence test. Also, in some cases you may not need to sit a practical test, and the Agent can confirm this for you.

How long will it take to book my test online or over the phone?

The internet service has a simple step by step process, which takes most people 5-8 minutes to complete. Booking through the phone service should take around the same amount of time.

What if I book a test and confirmation doesn’t come through before I’m due to sit the test?

You’ll get a confirmation slip immediately when you book online. When booking by phone, you’ll be given all the details for your test. Make sure you keep a record of these and take the details with you to your test if your confirmations slip hasn’t arrived in the post in time. Even if your confirmation slip hasn’t arrived, your test is still valid, so make sure you show up in time, or you will still be charged for the test.

Can someone else book and pay for the test on my behalf?

In theory, if they have your driver licence, address, and credit card details, then they can. But we strongly discourage you from sharing these details with anyone. If you use someone else’s credit card to pay for the fees (eg, if you’re too young to hold a credit card but your parents have one), make sure you get permission first.

What information do I need to book over the phone or on the internet?

You need your current driver licence and a current Visa or Mastercard.

Will the telephone service go through to our local agent, or will it go to a central call centre?

It will go to the LTSA’s central call centre who will book you a test in your local area.

Why can’t we just call an LTSA Driver Licensing Agent direct to book the test?

Agents would have to employ additional people to answer telephones so that the counter service is not interrupted by telephone calls. This is not viable for many Agents because of their size.

Who are the LTSA’s Driver Licensing Agents?

- Automobile Association (AA)
- Vehicle Testing New Zealand (VTNZ)
- Vehicle Inspection New Zealand (VINZ)
- On Road New Zealand.
Will it be cheaper to use the internet or phone service – if not, why not?
No, it won’t be cheaper. The charges for tests are set by regulation, not by the Land Transport Safety Authority.

What do I need to take with me test on the day of the test?

On the day of your test, you need to take the following with you:
- two forms of identification (your New Zealand driver licence, and something else with proof of address)
- your current licence – eg, learner, restricted, or for older drivers, your full licence
- certificates for any approved courses that you’ve completed – eg defensive driving course
- a vehicle that is in a roadworthy condition and that has a current warrant of fitness or certificate of fitness
- a medical or eyesight certificate if these are relevant to you.

What will the process be when I arrive for my test?

You’ll be asked to fill out an application form, and your photo and signature will be taken. NOTE: You should allow approximately 30 minutes before your test appointment to complete the application process before you can take your test. If your test appointment is before 9.00am you should check the Driver Licensing Agent's opening hours, because you may need to complete the application process before the day of your test.

Can I do my practical test booking any day/time prior to my test?

Yes you can. The internet booking system is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The phone booking service operates Monday to Friday 8am-6pm.

Security

How will I know my details are secure?

PricewaterhouseCoopers’ computer auditors conducted thorough security penetration tests into the website in an attempt to obtain personal information from transactions and hack into LTSA systems. No breaches in security were found.

Also, when you use the internet or phone test booking services, your personal details and credit card details are kept separate. Your credit card details are not stored by the LTSA, because your credit card payment is carried out on a separate secure bank site.

If someone stole my driver licence, would they be able to access my details through the phone or internet services?

No. We do not pass any personal details back to the internet or phone applicant. LTSA does confirm that the details given to us are correct. The user would have to know these details already.

What’s to stop someone stealing my credit card and using it to pay for their test online or over the phone?

If someone used a stolen credit card, they’d most likely be paying for their own test, so we would have a clear record of exactly who had used your credit card, and would have their name and address on our system. If you do lose your credit card, notify your bank immediately so that they can cancel your credit card to prevent any unauthorised expenses being charged against it – the system recognises and will not accept cancelled credit cards.

General

What are the benefits of the telephone and Internet booking services?

The new services will save you having to make two trips to a Driver Licensing Agent – one to book your test and the other to sit your test. Older drivers and drivers in rural areas (and those who don’t want to negotiate traffic and have the hassle of finding carparks) will benefit most.

Will there be any more LTSA services going online?

Yes. The next transactions to be introduced are applying for exemption from relicensing a vehicle, and advising us that you’ve either bought or sold a motor vehicle.

Will we eventually be able to apply for driver licences online or over the phone?

No, not with current technology. We need to be able to confirm your identity, take your photo, and do an eye test before you can receive a NZ driver licence.

Why are the services only accessible to credit card users – why can’t I pay by cheque?

This is a real-time transaction and payment has to be cleared before your test is confirmed. If you wanted to pay by cheque, it would be quicker to go to a Driver Licensing Agent.

Why do the systems only accept Mastercard and Visa?

Theses are the only two BANK issued credit cards (as distinct from debit cards and loyalty cards).

Why can’t I use my credit card at an LTSA Driver Licensing Agent?

Every Driver Licensing Agent makes its own policy decision as to whether they will accept credit card payments, because it costs the Agent credit card merchant fees to run this service. But some Agents do accept credit cards, so check with your Agent first.

Driver Licensing Agent services

Won’t it put LTSA Driver Licensing Agents out of business?

No. For security and identity reasons, Driver Licensing Agents will still be needed to confirm the identity of people applying for licences, and take photos and signatures.

Also, younger drivers may not have a credit card, similarly some adults choose not to use them. And not everyone has regular and reliable access to the internet yet. These people will still need to use Agents.

This online and telephone services are simply an alternative way to book driver licence tests. It is not the intention to replace the vital service that LTSA Driver Licensing Agents offer to those people who need face-to-face contact.
Will I still be able to go to a local LTSA Driver Licensing Agent if I don’t want to use the internet?
Yes, you will.

Will it cost more to go to an Agent?

No, because the costs are set by regulation.

ENDS

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