DriveStar NZ Student & Learner Policy
Last Updated:
11 August 2026
DriveStar provides a friendly, down-to-earth and culturally safe learning environment where learners can build confidence and prepare for their next licence stage.
1. Respect
Learners must not engage in:
1.1 Bullying.
1.2 Harassment.
1.3 Racism.
1.4 Discrimination.
1.5 Threatening behaviour.
1.6 Violence.
1.7 Sexual harassment.
1.8 Deliberate disruption of another learner's training.
1.9 Learners should respect instructors, other students, venues, vehicles and each other's privacy.
2. Theory Course Attendance
2.1 Theory courses run Monday to Thursday.
2.2 Morning classes run from 10am–12pm.
2.3 Evening classes run from 6pm–8pm.
2.4 Learners must attend all four course days.
2.5 If you cannot attend your normal session, you may attend the other session that same day if DriveStar has an available place.
2.6 If you miss an entire theory day, you cannot complete that week's course.
2.7 You will normally need to re-enrol into another available weekly course.
2.8 Serious illness, bereavement and genuine emergencies will be considered individually.
3. Test Readiness
DriveStar may consider:
3.1 Attendance.
3.2 Participation.
3.3 Practice results.
3.4 Road-rule knowledge.
3.5 Confidence.
3.6 Overall test readiness.
3.7 Completing four theory days does not automatically mean DriveStar will recommend testing.
3.8 If DriveStar recommends delaying your test and you accept our recommendation, the discounted re-entry option may apply.
4. Documents
Depending on your course, you may need:
4.1 Your current physical passport or other accepted identification.
4.2 Current proof of address.
4.3 Your physical overseas driver licence where applicable.
4.4 Other documentation required by NZTA.
4.5 Screenshots or photographs are not accepted where an original document is required.
5. Practical Courses
5.1 Practical training consists of five individual sessions.
5.2 Each session is scheduled for one hour.
5.3 The course is designed to be completed within one week.
5.4 Sessions should preferably be completed on consecutive or back-to-back days.
5.5 Each practical session represents $100 of the $500 course fee.
5.6 A session may extend up to 1.5 hours where training needs and the instructor schedule allow.
5.7 Additional time is not guaranteed.
6. Vehicle Requirements
Your vehicle must:
6.1 Have a current WOF where required.
6.2 Have current registration/licensing.
6.3 Have safe tyres.
6.4 Have working indicators.
6.5 Have working brake lights.
6.6 Have a working horn.
6.7 Have enough fuel.
6.8 Be clean and tidy.
6.9 Have no known safety defects.
6.10 Display L plates when legally required.
7. Who Can Be in the Vehicle?
7.1 Only the learner and DriveStar instructor may be in the vehicle.
7.2 Children are not permitted.
7.3 Friends are not permitted.
7.4 Whānau or other passengers are not permitted.
7.5 Recording equipment must not be operating unless DriveStar has specifically authorised it.
8. Lateness
8.1 Arrive ready to start at your scheduled time.
8.2 If you are less than 15 minutes late, DriveStar will make reasonable efforts to continue the session.
8.3 The lesson may still finish at the original finishing time.
8.4 If you are more than 15 minutes late, the session may be treated as missed.
8.5 The $100 value of the reserved session may be forfeited where the instructor's time cannot reasonably be reused.
8.6 Remaining sessions stay active.
8.7 A replacement session may be booked for $100 including GST.
9. Safe Driving
Learners must:
9.1 Not attend while impaired by alcohol.
9.2 Not attend while impaired by illegal drugs.
9.3 Tell DriveStar if medication could affect safe driving.
9.4 Tell DriveStar if illness or fatigue makes driving unsafe.
9.5 Follow reasonable instructor safety directions.
9.6 Wear a seat belt.
9.7 Follow New Zealand road rules.
9.8 Follow the conditions of their driver licence.
9.9 Not use a handheld phone while driving.
10. Phones & Recording
Learners must not secretly record:
10.1 DriveStar instructors.
10.2 Other learners.
10.3 Practical lessons.
10.4 Assessments.
10.5 Protected DriveStar course material.
11. Accessibility & Support
DriveStar welcomes learners who may need additional support relating to:
11.1 Literacy.
11.2 Language.
11.3 Disability.
11.4 Health.
11.5 Learning needs.
11.6 Accessibility.
11.7 Please speak with DriveStar privately if you would like us to consider additional support.
12. Learners Under 18
12.1 DriveStar accepts eligible learners from the legal minimum age for the relevant licensing pathway.
12.2 A parent or caregiver must accept DriveStar's Terms for learners under 18.
12.3 Where a school or organisation refers the learner, appropriate parent/caregiver consent must also have been obtained.
12.4 Public photo or video use requires appropriate learner and parent/caregiver consent.
13. If You Don't Pass
13.1 Not passing an official test does not mean you are unwelcome at DriveStar.
13.2 DriveStar may discuss the areas requiring improvement with you.
13.3 We may recommend additional support before another attempt.
13.4 Additional course or test fees may apply depending on the support required.
14. Complaints
14.1 Speak with your instructor first where appropriate.
14.2 If your concern is not resolved, contact DriveStar directly.
021 045 0068