I'd rate it 10 out of 10. The DDC course directly improved my hazard perception and decision making behind the wheel. My tutor did really well in both the classroom and in-car sessions. In the classroom, she explained defensive driving concepts clearly. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone on their restricted licence because it makes you a safer driver, not just a better test taker.
AA Defensive Driving Course
Completing the NZTA approved AA Defensive Driving Course will help you become a safer driver, better identify hazards and increase your chances of passing your driving test.
Eligible drivers who complete the course can reach a full licence up to 6 months sooner*
*Reduction only applies to those eligible to apply for their full licence prior to 25 January 2027; drivers aged 25+ may receive a reduction from six to three months. See the NZTA website or contact us for details.
A safer driver in 9 hours
The AA Defensive Driving Course is an NZTA approved Advanced Driving Course aimed at educating drivers how to be safer on the roads.
What does the course include?
Four classroom sessions, an online hazard perception component and a one-hour in-car assessment. The following four steps must be completed in order.
Four classroom sessions
Four two-hour sessions (8 hours in total).
- Interactive group theory using real driving situations filmed on NZ roads. Covers risks, observation and hazard identification. The four sessions must be completed in order.
- Need to bring a support person or reader/writer assistance? Contact us before the course date.
Online hazard preception
Practice hazard identification and visual search online.
- Account valid for 28 days.
- Unlimited attempts.
- Minimum score: 80% - certificate must be shown to the tutor before the in-car assessment.
In-car session (1 hour)
Individual driving assessment in your own vehicle.
- The instructor will assess understanding and demonstration of the theory learnt in the classroom sessions.
- Must be completed within 60 days of your last classroom session.
Get your certificate
Issued after:
- Completing coursework.
- Achieving at least 80% in online hazard perception.
- Passing the in-car session.
If you're eligible to reduce the time on your restricted licence* take your certificate when you apply for your full licence.
*Reduction only applies to those eligible to apply for their full licence prior to 25 January 2027; drivers aged 25+ may receive a reduction from six to three months. See the NZTA website or contact us for details.
Cost & booking
- From $245 per person.
- All courses are booked and paid for online.
- The in-car session is arranged directly with your tutor.
Refunds for cancellations will only be made if we receive notification of cancellation at least 14 days prior to commencement of your original course date. For full details view Defensive Driving Course terms and conditions.
Defensive Driving Course vouchers
You can also buy vouchers for the Defensive Driving Course which you can use at a later date or gift to someone else. The voucher is not a booking but can be redeemed when making a booking.
Vouchers are for courses provided by the AA and cannot be used for other licensed course providers.
Is it worth doing?
Here's what some previous course participants think.
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I attended the course just for the 6 months off the waiting time, but ended up learning so much more important things that should be taught to everyone who drives!
Christchurch participant
When should you take it?
We recommend completing this course when you are on your restricted licence, as it focuses on more experienced driving skills.
On your learner licence
Experienced learner licence holders who are confident drivers can attend a Defensive Driving Course.
On your restricted licence - best time to attend
Build a strong foundation as an independent driver and your restricted period may be cut by up to 6 months (drivers aged 25+ may cut their restricted period from six to three months).*
On your full licence
You can still benefit from taking the course to refresh your skills, or you may need to take it if you're a police recruit, have a court referral, or are completing a Police Diversion Scheme.
Find a course near you
AA Defensive Driving Courses are run across the country. Find the nearest location to you.
| Area | Street address |
|---|---|
| Kerikeri | Kerikeri High School, 48 Hone Heke Road, Kerikeri |
| Whangarei | ASB Lounge, 97 Western Hills Drive, Kensington Park, Whangarei |
| Area | Street address |
|---|---|
| Botany | St Columba Church, 480 Ti Rakau Drive, Botany Downs |
| Henderson | Hub West, 27 Corban Ave, Henderson |
| Hobsonville | Hobsonville Community Trust, Headquarters Building, 214 Buckley Avenue, Hobsonville |
| Howick | Uxbridge Arts & Culture, 35 Uxbridge Road, Howick |
| Grey Lynn | Grey Lynn Community Centre, Garden Room, 510 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn |
| Glenfield | Glenfield Community Centre, 96 Bentley Avenue, Glenfield |
| Long Bay | Sir Peter Blake Marine Education and Recreation Centre, 1045 Beach Road, Long Bay |
| Mairangi Bay | Windsor Park Baptist Church, 550 East Coast Road, Mairangi Bay |
| Manukau | DRIVE office, 33 Lambie Drive, Manukau, Auckland |
| Meadowbank | St Chads, 38 St John's Road, Meadowbank |
| Mt Roskill | Mt Roskill AA Centre, 6A Carr Road, Mt Roskill |
| Northcote / Takapuna | YMCA Northcote, 5 Akoranga Drive, Northcote |
| Parnell | Jubilee Building, 545 Parnell Road, Parnell |
| Mt Albert | Marist College, 31 Alberton Avenue, Mount Albert |
| St Heliers / Glendowie | Sacred Heart College, Old Boys Lounge, Main gate opposite, 133A Crossfield Rd, Glendowie |
| Penrose / Ellerslie | AA Penrose, 419 Great South Road, Penrose |
| Pukekohe | The Franklin Centre, 12 Massey Avenue, Pukekohe |
| Takanini | Activate Church Papakura, 11 Tironui Road Takanini |
| Westgate | Auckland Council, Te Manawa, 11 Kohuhu Lane, Westgate - Hinengaro room, Level 2 |
| Whangaparaoa | Whangaparaoa Library, 9 Main Street, Stanmore Bay, Whangaparāoa |
| Area | Street address |
|---|---|
| Cambridge | Bridges Church and Community Centre, 28 Duke Street, Cambridge |
| Hamilton West | Good News Community Centre, 78 Breckons Avenue, Nawton, Hamilton |
| Rototuna | Rototuna Library, 30 North City Road, Rototuna North, Hamilton |
| Area | Street address |
|---|---|
| Mount Maunganui | Arataki Community Centre, Zambuk Way, Arataki, Mount Maunganui |
| Papamoa | Papamoa Community Centre, 15 Gravatt Road, Papamoa Beach, Papamoa |
| Tauranga | Greerton Library, Heremanuhiri Room, 139 Greerton Road, Gate Pa, Tauranga |
| Tauranga Central | St Peters Community Church, 130 Spring Street, Tauranga |
| Thames | Jack McLean Community Centre, Thames Highschool Gymnasium side room, 737 Rolleston Street, Thames - Opposite Highschool Pool |
| Area | Street address |
|---|---|
| Havelock North | Taruna College, 33 Te Mata Peak Road, Havelock North |
| Area | Street address |
|---|---|
| Feilding | Manawatu Community Library, 64 Stafford Street, Feilding |
| Palmerston North | Hancock Community Centre, 77-85 King Street, Palmerston North |
| Palmerston North St Albans | St Alban's Presbyterian Church, 339 Albert Street, Hokowhitu, Palmerston North. Car park behind church, off St Alban's Ave. |
| Area | Street address |
|---|---|
| Carterton | St. David's Presbyterian Church, 164 High Street South, Carterton |
| Area | Street address |
|---|---|
| Johnsonville | Waiora Sport and Community Hub, Rothbury Insurance Brokers Lounge (Northern end), 17 Bannister Avenue, Johnsonville |
| Kapiti Coast - Paraparaumu | Kapiti Impact Hub, 6 Tongariro Street, Paraparaumu |
| Karori | Karori Community Centre, 7 Beauchamp Street, Karori |
| Lower Hutt | Capital Training Limited, 20 Raroa Road, Lower Hutt |
| Porirua | Whitireia Community Polytechnic, 3 Wi Neera Drive, Elsdon, Porirua |
| Thorndon | St Mary's College, Guildford Terrace, Thorndon |
| Upper Hutt | Orongomai Marae, 7 Railway Ave, Maidstone, Upper Hutt |
| Wellington Central | Multicultural Learning & Support Services, 39 Web Street, Mt Cook |
| Area | Street address |
|---|---|
| Blenheim | REAP Marlborough, 65 Seymour Street, Blenheim |
| Nelson | NMIT (meet at A Block), 322 Hardy Street, Nelson |
| Area | Street address |
|---|---|
| Ashburton | Ashburton Events Centre, 211 Wills Street, Ashburton |
| Kaiapoi | Enterprise Business Centre -143 Williams Street, Kaiapoi |
| Parklands | Parklands Baptist Community Church, 180 Queenspark Drive, Parklands |
| Rangiora | Main Power Stadium Indoor Centre, Upstairs Room, 289 Coldstream Road, Rangiora |
| Riccarton | Harcourts, 88 Division Street, Riccarton, Christchurch |
| Rolleston | St John Ambulance, 7 Kidman Street (Cnr Kidman St and Norman Kirk Drive), Rolleston |
| Sydenham | AA Centre Sydenham, Cnr Brougham Street and Buchan Street, Sydenham |
| Area | Street address |
|---|---|
| Wanaka | Wanaka Community Hub, 34 McDougall Street, Wanaka |
| Queenstown | Wakatipu Highschool (Green Room at front of school), 47/49 Red Oaks Drive, Frankton, Queenstown |
| Dunedin | AA Centre Dunedin, 450 Moray Place, Dunedin |
Licensed Providers of the Defensive Driving Course
These are third party providers that are licensed to facilitate the AA Defensive Driving Course. They provide the venue and will manage all arrangements directly with you including booking, payment and documentation.
Once you've submitted your booking through the system, the provider will contact you directly to advise course dates and other details.
| Region | City/town |
|---|---|
| Auckland | Orewa, Warkworth |
| Waikato | Waihi, Thames, Morrinsville |
| Bay of Plenty | Katikati, Whakatane |
| Gisborne | Gisborne |
| Taranaki | New Plymouth, Hawera |
| Wellington | Carterton, Greytown |
| Canterbury | Culverden, Rangiora, Timaru, South Canterbury |
Frequently asked questions
The AA Defensive Driving Course is an NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi-approved advanced driving course available across New Zealand. It combines interactive learning based on real driving situations on New Zealand roads with online hazard training and an individual in-car assessment. The course is designed to help drivers identify hazards, reduce crash risk, improve safe-driving skills and prepare for the next stage of licensing.
The AA Defensive Driving Course can be worthwhile if you want to become a safer, more confident driver, improve hazard awareness or prepare for a practical driving test. It provides structured theory, online practice and a one-hour in-car assessment with practical feedback. Eligible restricted drivers may also be able to apply for their full licence up to six months earlier under the current Graduated Driver Licensing System; check the latest NZTA eligibility rules to confirm.
It is generally best to take the AA Defensive Driving Course after you have obtained your restricted licence, because the course helps build a strong foundation as you begin driving more independently. Experienced learner licence holders who are confident drivers can also attend and must be able to complete the in-car assessment in their own vehicle. Full licence holders can take the course to refresh their skills, and it may also suit police recruits or people completing a court referral or Police Diversion programme.
The AA Defensive Driving Course teaches you to assess and identify hazards, improve visual-search techniques, understand driving risks and road conditions, and apply safer driving practices. The nine-hour course includes four two-hour classroom sessions completed in order, online eDrive learning using real New Zealand road scenarios, and a one-hour individual in-car assessment. The eDrive component requires a score of at least 80%, and the in-car assessment must be successfully completed within 60 days of the final classroom session.
Book an AA Defensive Driving Course online through the AA Defensive Driving Course page by selecting ‘Book a course’, choosing an available location and course, and paying online. Courses are available at locations across New Zealand. Your course tutor will arrange the one-hour in-car assessment during the classroom sessions; if you book with a licensed third-party provider, that provider will contact you directly with course dates and other details. A course voucher can also be bought and redeemed when making a booking, but the voucher itself is not a booking.
AA Driving School is operated by AA Driver Training Limited. AA Driving School provides driving lessons, Road Code practice tests, licence test preparation, and the AA Defensive Driving Course. Official driver licence tests are conducted by NZTA-authorised testing agents. The New Zealand Automobile Association (Incorporated) separately acts as an agent of NZTA for the learner licence theory test.