Taupō Driving Test Routes - Restricted & Full

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A sample Taupō test route starting from the centre at 42 Matai Street. It takes around 21 min 31 s to drive this 16.1 km practice route, in preparation for your Waikato Restricted (1R) and Full (1F) test.

Sample Route Map

Taupō driving test route map — Sample practice route only - always check before driving - accurate routes on the app.

16.1 km

Route Length

21 min 31 s

Duration

Steps

Routes in App

Sample Route Directions

#	Instruction	Duration	Distance
1	Head southeast on Mataī St toward Miro St	0 min 16 s	111 m
2	Turn left onto Miro St	1 min 24 s	816 m
3	Turn right onto Broadlands Rd	0 min 26 s	318 m
4	Head east on Broadlands Rd	0 min 27 s	447 m
5	Turn right onto the State Hwy 1/State Hwy 5/Thermal Explorer Hwy ramp to Airport/Napier/Palmerston N	0 min 31 s	339 m
6	Merge onto Thermal Explorer Hwy/SH 1/State Hwy 5	1 min 38 s	2.2 km
7	Head south on SH 1/State Hwy 5	0 min 5 s	69 m
8	At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Napier Rd heading to Taupo	1 min 51 s	1.5 km
9	Turn left onto Arrowsmith Ave	1 min 27 s	1.1 km
10	Arrowsmith Ave turns right and becomes Ingle Ave	0 min 23 s	241 m
11	Turn left onto Richmond Ave	1 min 32 s	1.1 km
12	Head west on Richmond Ave toward Grace Cres	0 min 28 s	343 m
13	Turn right onto Lake Terrace (signs for Lake Tce)	4 min 20 s	3.3 km
14	Turn right onto Rifle Range Rd	1 min 11 s	634 m
15	Turn right to stay on Rifle Range Rd	0 min 7 s	39 m
16	Continue straight onto Mere Rd	0 min 3 s	35 m
17	Head northwest on Mere Rd toward Rifle Range Rd	0 min 3 s	35 m
18	Turn right onto Rifle Range Rd Go through 1 roundabout	1 min 36 s	1.1 km
19	Head northeast on Rifle Range Rd toward Kōnini St Go through 1 roundabout	1 min 7 s	644 m
20	Turn right onto Tauhara Rd	1 min 4 s	799 m
21	Turn right onto Miro St	1 min 10 s	816 m
22	Turn right onto Mataī St	0 min 22 s	111 m

Important: This is a mock route and may differ from your test. Always check this sample route before practising to ensure it is suitable for learners to drive, safe, and compliant with local traffic laws.
For accurate 1R & 1F routes, download the app.

Route Challenges & Tips

1. SH1/SH5 Merge and Roundabout (Steps 5-8)

Challenge: You'll take a ramp to merge onto the Thermal Explorer Highway (SH1/SH5), then shortly after face a roundabout.

Tip: When merging, match the highway speed and find a safe gap to pull safely into. When you reach the roundabout, signal right, stay right, then signal to leave after passing the 2nd exit.

2. Lake Terrace (Step 13)

Challenge: A scenic 3.3km stretch along the shore of Lake Taupō, which can be busy with tourists, especially in summer.

Tip: Stay alert for any pedestrians crossing to the lake, cyclists, and vehicles leaving parking spots. Don't let the scenery distract you; keep your eyes on the road and check your mirrors regularly.

3. Rifle Range Road Section with Roundabouts (Steps 14-19)

Challenge: Navigating Rifle Range Road, then a short detour onto Mere Road, passing through two roundabouts.

Tip: On the "turn right to stay on" instruction – the road curves but you still need to perform a turn. The Mere Road section is very brief (just 35m), so stay focused, and at the roundabouts check for traffic already circulating.

VTNZ Taupō - Practical testing only

Address: 42 Matai Street, Taupō, Waikato 3378

Phone: 07 378 6603

Hours: Monday to Friday: 8am to 5pm, Saturday: 8am to 12pm, Sunday: Closed

Website: Click Here

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Services at this centre

ORST (On-road Safety Test) Class 1 Restricted (1R) Class 1 Full (1F) Class 6 Restricted (6R) Class 6 Full (6F)

Notes

Practical tests

All practical tests need to be booked online.

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