Tauranga - Greerton VTNZ Driving Test Routes Book Test

You can book your restricted licence practical test online through the NZTA (Waka Kotahi) website. Enter your licence number, date of birth, and last name to book and pay. You can also reschedule or cancel online. Alternatively, visit an AA Centre or VTNZ location in person. Before booking, you must visit a driver licensing agent to complete your application form, eye test, and photo. Booking slots can fill up quickly — keep refreshing the website as spots are released regularly.

The Greerton VTNZ driving test is considered moderate in difficulty. Located on Maleme Street in the southern Tauranga suburb of Greerton, the centre offers both restricted and full licence tests. The Bay of Plenty region 2023 pass rates are approximately 53% for restricted and 72% for full licences. Greerton routes cover the suburban residential streets of the Greerton area and connect to busier roads like Chadwick Road and Cameron Road. Compared to Mt Maunganui, Greerton offers a quieter suburban environment without the high-speed main road exits and bus lanes. The test duration is approximately 30 minutes. Chinese learners in the Tauranga area generally prefer Mt Maunganui due to more available route information, but Greerton can be a viable alternative with potentially easier booking availability.

New Zealand uses a three-stage Graduated Driver Licensing System. Stage 1: Learner licence (age 16+, pass theory test with 32/35 correct). Stage 2: Restricted licence (held learner 6+ months, pass practical driving test). Stage 3: Full licence (held restricted 18 months, or 12 months with approved defensive driving course, pass full licence test). Major reform: From January 25, 2027, the full licence practical test will be removed, and learner holding periods will change.

To sit the restricted licence test you must: be at least 16.5 years old, have held your learner licence for at least 6 months, and have completed your application at a driver licensing agent (including eye test and photo). You must bring a safe, registered vehicle with a current Warrant of Fitness (WoF). The test is in two stages: Stage 1 (about 10 minutes, up to 60 km/h) assessing basic skills, and Stage 2 (about 35 minutes, up to 100 km/h) assessing comprehensive driving ability across 6 core competencies.

Greerton test routes start from the VTNZ centre at 67 Maleme Street in the Greerton commercial area. Routes cover the surrounding residential and suburban streets of Greerton, connecting to main roads in the broader Tauranga south area. The Greerton area features a mix of residential streets with 50 km/h limits and main roads with 60 to 80 km/h limits. Key roads in the vicinity include Chadwick Road, Cameron Road, Greerton Road, and connecting residential streets. Routes include roundabouts, give-way intersections, and stop signs typical of suburban Tauranga. The nearby Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology may have school zone speed restrictions during certain hours. AUDrive provides all available test routes for this centre.

The restricted licence application (including the practical test) costs $167.50 NZD and includes up to 2 test attempts. Additional re-sits cost $102.80 each. The learner licence application (including the theory test) costs approximately $96.20 and also includes 2 attempts. The full licence application costs $98.90. Total cost from learner to full licence is currently about $362.50. After the January 2027 reform, this drops to approximately $282.50.

From January 25, 2027: the full licence practical test will be removed for class 1 licences. Under-25 learner holding period doubles from 6 to 12 months (reducible with supervised hours or approved courses). Defensive driving courses will no longer shorten the restricted period. Zero-alcohol limit expands to all learner and restricted holders (currently only under-20). A hazard perception test moves from the full licence stage to the restricted stage. Demerit point violations extend the restricted period by 6 months.

Key challenges include: (1) Speed management across different zones, as Greerton has residential 50 km/h streets that connect to higher-speed main roads at 60 to 80 km/h, requiring constant attention to speed limit changes; (2) Roundabout navigation, including correct signalling on entry and exit and choosing the appropriate lane for multi-exit roundabouts; (3) Give-way timing at uncontrolled intersections in the residential areas; (4) Merging from suburban side streets onto busier main roads like Cameron Road; (5) Continuous mirror scanning, as examiners closely monitor whether you check all three mirrors regularly; and (6) Shoulder checks when changing lanes, pulling away from the kerb, or turning, which must be clearly visible to the examiner.

The national average restricted licence pass rate is approximately 55%, varying significantly by region. According to Waka Kotahi 2023 data: Auckland has the lowest at 49.2%, followed by Bay of Plenty (50.9%) and Wellington (51.9%). Provincial areas do much better: Gisborne (68.2%) and Taranaki (70.6%). Within Auckland, pass rates also vary by test centre: Highbrook (73%), Pukekohe (70%), Mt Wellington (69%), North Shore (68%), and Manukau (53%).

Restricted licence holders cannot drive between 10pm and 5am unless accompanied by a supervisor (full licence holder of 2+ years). You also cannot carry passengers unless a supervisor is present. Exceptions apply for your spouse/partner, dependents, or if driving is required for work. During daytime hours (5am-10pm), you can drive alone but without passengers. Important: driving on a learner licence without a supervisor is illegal and carries fines of $400+.

Common reasons for failing at Greerton and across the Bay of Plenty region include: driving too fast or too slowly (the most common reason for failure region-wide), incorrect roundabout signalling, poor give-way timing at intersections, insufficient mirror scanning throughout the test, inadequate shoulder checks, not coming to a complete stop at stop signs, failing to observe speed limit changes, and incorrect lane positioning. The BOP region 2023 data shows pass rates vary by age: 72% for ages 16 to 24, 55% for ages 25 to 29, and 48 to 49% for ages 30 and over for full licence tests. Two critical errors or one immediate error results in automatic failure.

Yes. Drivers from 25 recognised countries (Australia, UK, USA, Canada, most EU countries, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, South Africa, etc.) can convert directly without tests. Drivers from non-recognised countries including China must pass the theory test (35 questions, 32 correct to pass) and the restricted licence practical driving test. You can drive on your overseas car licence for up to 18 months in NZ with an IDP or certified English translation.

Chinese licence holders must: 1) Get a certified English translation (NAATI or NZ-approved translator, about $30-$50). 2) Visit a driver licensing agent with your Chinese licence, translation, passport, and proof of NZ address. 3) Pass the theory test (35 questions, 32 correct, available in Chinese). 4) Pass the restricted licence practical driving test ($167.50 application fee includes 2 attempts). You can drive on your Chinese licence + IDP/translation for up to 18 months after arriving.

The Greerton VTNZ centre is open for driver licensing Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM only. Important: Greerton does NOT offer weekend testing. As a less popular testing centre compared to Mt Maunganui, Greerton may have better test spot availability. Check the NZTA booking website at online.nzta.govt.nz for available slots, and try checking between 7:00 PM and 6:00 AM when cancellation spots are more likely to appear. Mid-morning sessions tend to have lighter traffic in the suburban streets around Greerton. Book through the NZTA website or by calling VTNZ Greerton at 07 541 0061.

The test takes approximately 45 minutes total in two stages. Stage 1 (about 10 minutes): driving in areas with speed limits up to 60 km/h, assessing basic vehicle control and driving skills. Stage 2 (about 35 minutes): driving on roads with speed limits up to 100 km/h, assessing comprehensive driving ability. You are assessed on 6 core competencies: speed management, following distance, observation and scanning, lane positioning, steering, and signalling. A pre-drive check covers demister, handbrake, and indicators.

Critical errors (instant fail) include: failing to give way at intersections or to pedestrians, running a red light or not stopping completely at a stop sign, exceeding the speed limit (including temporary speed zones like 30 km/h roadworks), unsafe lane changes without blind spot checks, following too closely, any dangerous driving action, causing a collision or near miss, and any situation requiring examiner intervention. A single critical error means immediate fail regardless of other performance.

Greerton (3.3 stars, 231 reviews) is the least discussed testing centre in the Bay of Plenty region among Chinese learners. Most candidates in the Tauranga area choose Mt Maunganui (3.7 stars, 668 reviews) which has more available route information and community feedback. Compared to Mt Maunganui, Greerton offers a quieter suburban environment without the challenging 70 km/h main road exit, railway crossings, or multi-level roundabouts. The Bay of Plenty has four VTNZ centres: Mt Maunganui, Greerton, Rotorua (highest pass rate at 71%), and Whakatane (most difficult with 80 km/h limits and mountain roads). Greerton may be a good alternative when Mt Maunganui has no available test spots.

The most common fail reasons are: poor observation (not checking mirrors frequently enough — you should check mirrors every 8-10 seconds even on straight roads, and always before braking), speed management errors (especially in temporary 30 km/h roadwork zones), not stopping completely at stop signs (rolling through = fail), incorrect signalling (indicators must be on for 3+ seconds; if the indicator auto-cancels during a turn, you must re-signal), and inadequate shoulder checks before lane changes.

If you fail, you receive feedback on areas to improve. Your $167.50 application fee includes up to 2 test attempts, so your first re-sit may be covered. Additional re-sits cost $102.80 each. There is no limit on attempts. Most candidates pass within 1-3 attempts. Tip: arrive 2 hours early to practise in the test area. One candidate spent $110/1.5 hours on lessons plus $70 for a test companion, but found that self-practice near the test centre was more effective.

The VTNZ Greerton centre is located at 67 Maleme Street, Greerton, Tauranga 3112, in the commercial and industrial area of Greerton, a southern suburb of Tauranga. Nearby landmarks include McDonald's Greerton, RE Burger Tauranga, Bunnings Tauranga, Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, and Tauranga Racecourse. The centre is approximately 15 minutes drive south of Tauranga CBD. It is open for driver licensing Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM (closed weekends). Book through the NZTA website at online.nzta.govt.nz or by calling 07 541 0061.

New Zealand drives on the left side of the road, the same as Australia and the UK. If you are from a country that drives on the right (such as China, USA, or most of Europe), pay special attention at intersections and when turning. At uncontrolled intersections, give way to the right. At roundabouts, give way to traffic from your right already on the roundabout. One-lane bridges have priority signs — the larger arrow has right of way.

An approved defensive driving course teaches advanced safe driving skills and hazard awareness, costing approximately $150-$200 NZD from AA or other approved providers. Currently, completing one reduces your restricted holding period from 18 to 12 months. However, after the January 2027 reform, defensive driving courses will no longer shorten the restricted period. The course is still valuable for improving driving skills, but the time-saving benefit will be removed.

Before your test at Greerton: (1) Drive the Greerton residential area to familiarise yourself with the local streets, roundabouts, and speed zones; (2) Identify the speed limit changes between residential streets at 50 km/h and main roads at 60 to 80 km/h; (3) Practise roundabout signalling and lane selection for multi-exit roundabouts; (4) Practise continuous mirror scanning every 10 to 15 seconds in the pattern right, centre, left, as examiners watch your eyes; (5) Make shoulder checks clearly visible with exaggerated head movements; (6) Check for any school zones near Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology that may have temporary speed restrictions; (7) Ensure your vehicle WOF and registration are current; (8) Check the NZTA booking website between 7:00 PM and 6:00 AM for cancellation spots.

The learner licence theory test has 35 multiple-choice questions and you must get at least 32 correct to pass (91%). Questions cover road rules, traffic signs, safe driving practices, and hazard awareness. The test is available in multiple languages including Chinese. Study using the official Road Code on the NZTA website. The application fee of approximately $96.20 includes up to 2 test attempts. You can sit the test at an AA Centre or NZTA agent location.

You must bring a safe, registered vehicle with a current Warrant of Fitness (WoF) and valid registration (rego). Diesel or electric vehicles also need a current road user charges label. The vehicle must have working seatbelts, lights, indicators, brakes, mirrors, and a visible speedometer. No dashboard warning lights should be showing. If you test in an automatic, your licence will be restricted to automatic vehicles only.

Key tips from successful candidates: choose a test centre with higher pass rates (Highbrook 73% vs Manukau 53% in Auckland); arrive 2 hours early to practise nearby; make all shoulder checks exaggerated so the examiner sees you turn your head; check mirrors every 8-10 seconds even on straight roads and always before braking; at stop signs, come to a complete stop (wheels must stop moving); signal for at least 3 seconds before any manoeuvre; if your indicator auto-cancels, re-signal immediately; in 30 km/h roadwork zones, stay under the limit and accelerate gradually after.