Learner and restricted licence time limits are set to be halved as part of a new system aimed at improving the safety of novice drivers and motorcyclists.

From Monday, a five-year time limit on new learner and restricted car and motorcycle licences will come into effect for the first time, replacing the current 10-year limit.

The new five-year time limit for learner and restricted licences comes into effect on Monday. Photo: File.

NZ Transport Agency road safety director Ernst Zollner says the changes will encourage novice drivers and motorcyclists to progress to a full licence within a reasonable timeframe.

This means drivers or riders who obtain or renew their learner or restricted licence after next Monday, and who haven't moved on to the next licence stage within the following five years, will need to pass another theory test to renew their licence after it expires.

Ernst says: 'The purpose of the Graduated Driver Licensing System is for novice drivers and riders to progress from a learner to a full licence by gradually gaining the skills and experience needed to drive safely.

'The restrictions that apply to learner and restricted licences are there to ensure that novice drivers gain experience and skills under low-risk conditions.

'Drivers who stay at one licence stage indefinitely aren't demonstrating that they've gained the skills and competence to drive safely.”

Ernst adds a number of offences for breaching licence conditions are committed by drivers who have held a learner or restricted licence for an extended time.

According to NZTA figures released to SunLive in September, 7263 motorists in Tauranga and the Western Bay held their licence for longer than the new five-year period.

In Tauranga 2021 motorists held a learner licence for more than five years, with 587 holding it for more than a decade.

The city also had 3338 motorists who have held a restricted licence for more than five years, including 1386 who've held the licence for more than 10 years.

In comparison 708 Western Bay motorists held their learner licence for more than five years and 1196 held their restricted licence for the same time-period.

The new limit will not apply to these licence holders until they renew their current licence.

According to NZTA the price to sit a learner licence test is $96.10 and $137 for a restricted licence. Both include a $48.70 administration fee.

Ernst says the changes are part of the Government's broader Safer Journeys strategy which aims to significantly reduce deaths and injuries on New Zealand's roads.

Other recent measures introduced include raising the minimum licensing age from 15 to 16, the introduction of a zero alcohol limit for teen drivers and the rollout of more challenging practical driver tests to gain restricted and full licences.