What is a limited licence?

The limited licence process involves the following steps:

1. Confirming that you are eligible to apply for a work licence
2. We prepare all required documents and supporting evidence to submit with your application. The application requires specific information, and it needs to be in the correct format.
3. Filing the application with the police and your local district court.
4. Appearing in court to have your application decided by a judge.
5. If the order is granted in court, visit your local transport agency, usually AA or VTNZ and apply to have your limited licence issued.

You may be able to apply for a limited licence if you have been suspended or disqualified from driving and need to be able to drive for any of the following reasons:

• Employment purposes
• Medical reasons
• You have dependents who rely on you for transport.

You will not be eligible to apply for a limited licence if any of the following apply:

• Indefinitely disqualified from driving.
• Disqualification is due to a conviction for driving while disqualified or driving whilst suspended.
• Charged with driving contrary to the conditions of a limited licence.
• Disqualification is due to drink driving while operating a transport service vehicle.
• An excess breath alcohol reading of above 800 micrograms per litre of breath or 160 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.

You cannot apply for a limited licence if you have been convicted of any two of the following offences within 5 years (on two separate occasions).

• Reckless or dangerous driving
• Careless driving causing injury or death
• Failing to stop after an accident
• Drink driving or driving under the influence of drugs.
• Applying for or obtaining a driver licence while disqualified

Applying for a limited licence can be complex if you’re not familiar with the process and requirements. The application must have specific information and must be submitted in the correct format. This is where we can help. We know exactly what to say and how to say it so that your application has the best chance of success.

We offer a fixed fee rate to prepare the documentation for a limited licence application. Contact us for more information on our affordable fixed fee, and the available payment options.

• The District Court Filing fee for court ordered disqualification is $165 and for demerit suspension the filing fee is $260
• A District Court Sealing fee of $65 may also apply
• The cost for obtaining the limited licence from NZTA is $39.90

The timeframe from when you apply for a work licence to when you receive the limited licence depends on a number of factors. However, it is realistic to allow approximately 1-3 weeks for the process from start to finish. This gives the police time to review the application and the court to schedule the next available court date.

If you apply for a work licence, it is always good to have your employer support the application. Your employer will need to provide certain information for your application. If you’re applying for a limited licence for other reasons, then information from your employer is not required.

Yes, you can drive for a specific purpose and under specific conditions. On a limited licence, you will be able to drive only on the days and between the hours stated in the court order.

Yes, you will only be able to drive within the boundary area stated in the court order.

No, you can only drive the vehicles stated in the court order.

Yes, generally, you have to appear in court to have your limited licence application decided by a judge.

Yes, if you are eligible, employees, contractors and self-employed persons can apply for a work licence.

After your disqualification or suspension period ends, you will need to have your licence reinstated or requalified.

Visit NZTA for more information on how to do this.

https://www.nzta.govt.nz/driver-licences/driving-offences-and-penalties/getting-your-licence-back/

No, you must have a restricted or full driver licence to apply for a limited licence.

If you were disqualified and the offence has a mandatory sentence of 6 months disqualification from driving, then you will have a 28-day stand down period before the court will look at your limited licence applications. There is no 28-day stand down period for demerit point suspension and the court will look at your application as soon as you apply.

 You can only start driving once you have obtained the limited licence card from NZTA.