Saturn Place 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 Saturn Place VTNZ driving test (commonly called the Albany test centre) is considered moderately challenging. Located in the Rosedale commercial district on Auckland's North Shore, the routes cover a wide range of road types from quiet commercial streets to busy arterial roads and multi-lane highways. The test area features multiple speed zones ranging from 30 km/h to 100 km/h, and full licence routes may include motorway driving on the Northern Motorway or Upper Harbour Highway. The centre has 5 documented routes for both Restricted and Full tests. Its strict mirror check requirements are a notable challenge, with examiners recording every missed check. Auckland's average restricted licence pass rate is around 49%, so thorough preparation is essential.

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.

Saturn Place test routes start from the VTNZ centre at 3/5 Saturn Place in Rosedale. There are 5 routes used for both Restricted and Full tests. A sample practice route covers 19.6 km over approximately 32 minutes. Key roads include Saturn Place, Paul Matthews Road, Bush Road, William Pickering Drive, Te Kea Place, Douglas Alexander Parade, Rosedale Road, Airborne Road, Tarndale Grove, Piermark Drive, Rothwell Avenue, and Albany Highway. Some routes extend further to East Coast Road, Sunset Road, Target Road, Wairau Road, and Glenfield Road. Full licence routes may reach the Northern Motorway, Upper Harbour Highway 18, Oteha Valley Road, and Greenhithe Road. Note that Oteha Valley Road is now 50 km/h and Albany Highway is now 50-60 km/h.

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) Mirror check requirements are extremely strict - every turn requires three checks: interior mirror, exterior mirror, and shoulder check, and missing even one is recorded; (2) Rosedale Road is identified by multiple candidates as the section where most people fail; (3) The route passes a fire station where you must pull over immediately when emergency lights are flashing; (4) Multiple speed zone transitions from 30 km/h up to 100 km/h require constant speed awareness; (5) The Paul Matthews Road/Bush Road roundabout is a multi-exit roundabout requiring correct lane positioning; (6) The East Coast Road/Sunset Road roundabout has heavy traffic and speed limit changes; (7) Albany Highway has four-lane sections with restricted lanes requiring careful lane selection; and (8) Full licence routes include motorway merging and lane changes at highway speeds.

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+.

The three most common failure reasons are: failing to give way correctly, incomplete stops at stop signs, and exceeding the speed limit by 5-10 km/h. Other frequent issues include: insufficient mirror checks before turning (every turn requires interior mirror, exterior mirror, and shoulder check), failing to check the rear-view mirror before braking, not stopping for a full 3 seconds at stop signs, failing to yield for emergency vehicles at the fire station, poor lane management on Rosedale Road, inadequate shoulder checks before lane changes, incorrect roundabout procedure (not giving way to right, not indicating left when exiting), checking only one direction at intersections, and incorrect motorway merging on full licence routes. 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 Saturn Place test area features a wide range of speed zones that you must manage carefully. These include 30 km/h zones in commercial areas, 50 km/h zones on most local roads, 60 km/h on parts of Albany Highway, 70-80 km/h on connecting roads, and up to 100 km/h on motorway sections for full licence tests. Important recent changes: Oteha Valley Road is now 50 km/h and Albany Highway is now 50-60 km/h. Driving instructors recommend maintaining 45-50 km/h in 50 km/h zones to avoid accidentally exceeding the limit. Never follow other vehicles' speeds - always check the posted limit signs. Exceeding the speed limit, even by 5 km/h, is recorded and repeated speed offences lead to failure.

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.

The Saturn Place VTNZ centre offers driver licensing Monday to Friday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and Saturday 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Note that weekday licensing starts at 9:00 AM, which is 30 minutes later than most other centres. Saturday hours are limited to just 4 hours. Since the centre is in a commercial district, mid-morning between 10:00 AM and noon typically has the lightest traffic. Avoid the morning commuter rush and lunchtime traffic peaks. Book through the VTNZ website or by calling 09 414 2056. Arrive at least 20 minutes before your test with a vehicle that has current WOF, current registration, and all stop lights and indicators in working order.

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.

Preparation tips: (1) Practise on the actual test roads around Rosedale, Bush Road, William Pickering Drive, Rosedale Road, Albany Highway, and the roundabouts at Paul Matthews Road and East Coast Road; (2) Master the three-step mirror check: interior mirror, exterior mirror, then shoulder check before every turn; (3) Build the habit of checking the rear-view mirror before every brake; (4) Maintain speed at 45-50 km/h in 50 km/h zones; (5) Learn the fire station location on the route and practise yielding to emergency vehicles; (6) Practise roundabout procedures - give way to your right, indicate left before exiting; (7) For full licence, practise motorway driving including merging and lane changes; (8) Consider booking 1-2 lessons with a local driving instructor who knows the routes. Ensure your vehicle WOF and registration are current, and arrive at least 20 minutes early.

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.

Saturn Place (Google 3.8 stars, 706+ reviews), commonly known as the Albany test centre, is one of the two main North Shore testing locations alongside North Shore VTNZ. Compared to South Auckland centres like Highbrook (considered easiest with around 73% pass rate) or Manukau (around 53%), Saturn Place is moderately difficult. Its distinguishing features include a wide variety of speed zones (30-100 km/h), strict mirror check enforcement, a fire station hazard on the route, and routes that extend to busy arterials like East Coast Road and Wairau Road. Full licence routes may include motorway driving, which not all centres offer. The centre has 5 documented routes covering 19.6 km of diverse road types. Being well-prepared with route practice makes the difficulty manageable.

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.