Limited Licence Experts

A limited licence permits individuals who have been disqualified or suspended from driving to operate a vehicle under specific conditions. These conditions typically restrict driving to certain times, routes, and purposes, such as employment-related activities. The primary aim is to mitigate extreme hardship to the individual or undue hardship to others dependent on the individual's ability to drive. ​

Whether you need to attend Court depends on your individual circumstances. Many Limited Licence applications can be determined by a Judge "in Chambers", meaning a decision is made on the papers without you having to personally appear in Court. However, this is not always possible. Some District Courts have local practices requiring Limited Licence applications to be heard in open Court rather than in Chambers. In addition, applications following a drink driving conviction are more likely to require a Court appearance, although this is by no means the case for every application. The procedure will depend on several factors, including the District Court where you were convicted or your application is filed, the nature of your offending, your previous driving and conviction history, whether the Police oppose your application, and the individual practices of the Court dealing with your case. Where an appearance is required, there is no need to be alarmed. The Court process is generally straight forward, and understanding what to expect beforehand can make the experience much less stressful.

Eligibility for a Limited Licence depends on several factors, including the reason your licence has been suspended or disqualified, your driving history, and your individual circumstances. The District Court considers every application on its own merits and there is no automatic entitlement to a Limited Licence. In most cases, you must be able to demonstrate that being unable to drive would cause extreme hardship to you, or undue hardship to another person. This hardship must extend beyond the ordinary inconvenience that anyone would experience after losing their licence. For example, the Court may consider the impact on your employment, your ability to care for dependent children or elderly family members, attend essential medical appointments, or meet other significant responsibilities. The Court will also consider matters such as your driving history, the circumstances of the offending, whether granting a Limited Licence would be consistent with public safety, and whether the driving privileges sought are reasonable and no more extensive than necessary. Not everyone is eligible to apply. The Land Transport Act 1998 excludes certain drivers from obtaining a Limited Licence, including some people who have been convicted of driving while disqualified, committed repeat alcohol or drug driving offences within specified timeframes, or fall within other statutory restrictions. If you're unsure whether you qualify, obtaining accurate information before lodging an application can save considerable time, expense and disappointment. A free, confidential discussion can help you better understand the legal requirements and whether a Limited Licence may be available in your circumstances. If you would like to speak to an expert about your situation, call us on 021 851 637 for a free and confidential chat.

There are several government fees associated with applying for a Limited Licence. The fees payable depend on whether your application relates to a drink driving disqualification or a suspension for excess demerit points.

Current Government Fees:

• District Court Filing Fee (Drink Driving Disqualification): $171.00
• District Court Filing Fee (Demerit Point Suspension): $269.00
• District Court Sealing Fee (Demerit Applications): $67.00 (payable only if your application is granted)
• NZTA Limited Licence Issue Fee: $48.00 (payable when your Limited Licence is issued)

If you're unsure which fees apply to your circumstances, or you'd like to better understand the Limited Licence process, we invite you to contact us for a free, confidential and obligation-free discussion. We're happy to answer your questions, explain the process, and help you understand the options available to you.

The timeframe depends on the reason for your licence suspension or disqualification. If you've been disqualified following a drink driving conviction, there is generally a mandatory 28-day stand-down period before the District Court can grant a Limited Licence.

However, this time can be used to prepare your application and gather the supporting evidence required by the Court.

If your licence has been suspended due to excess demerit points, there is no mandatory stand-down period. Once your suspension begins, an application can generally be filed immediately.

Regardless of the reason for your suspension or disqualification, we recommend starting the process as early as possible. Preparing the necessary documentation, obtaining supporting evidence, and allowing time for Court processing can all affect how quickly your application is heard.

Poorly prepared applications, lack of supporting evidence, and insufficient information can also delay the processing of your application. We therefore encourage you to contact us to discuss your circumstances so you can be well prepared before filing your application.

There is no such thing as an urgent Limited Licence application. Some companies refer to "urgent applications", but this generally means they can prepare the documentation within a short timeframe. All Limited Licence applications must still proceed through the same process with New Zealand Police and the District Court, and are considered in the ordinary course alongside other applications.

The conditions of a Limited Licence are tailored to each applicant's individual circumstances and are designed to authorise only the driving that is reasonably necessary to alleviate hardship. Every application is considered on its own merits, but common conditions may include: Travelling directly to and from your place of employment. Driving as part of your employment, such as for delivery drivers, couriers, truck drivers, tradespeople, sales representatives, real estate agents, or others whose work requires regular travel. Transporting dependent children to and from school or childcare where no practical alternative exists. Travelling to essential medical, counselling or rehabilitation appointments for yourself or a dependent family member. Caring for elderly or vulnerable family members where driving is necessary to provide essential support. The Court will normally specify the authorised days, hours, geographical area, routes, vehicles and purpose of travel. These conditions must be strictly complied with. Driving outside the terms of your Limited Licence is an offence and may result in the licence being cancelled, further criminal charges, and additional periods of disqualification.

Please don't. Driving while your licence is suspended or disqualified is a serious criminal offence. Police and the Courts treat this offending very seriously, even if you are only driving to or from work or for another seemingly important reason. If you are caught driving while suspended or disqualified, the vehicle you are driving may be impounded and you may be arrested and charged with driving while suspended. The consequences can be significant and may include: A fine of up to $750. An automatic six-month disqualification from driving. A criminal conviction. Possible vehicle impoundment. Perhaps the most significant consequence is that a conviction for driving while suspended or disqualified will prevent you from being eligible to apply for a Limited Licence. This means you will lose the opportunity to lawfully drive for the duration of your disqualification. A criminal conviction can also have long-term consequences, including affecting future employment opportunities, professional registrations, insurance, overseas travel, and other aspects of your personal and professional life. While your current licence suspension or disqualification relates to your driving privileges, driving unlawfully can escalate the matter into a criminal conviction with far more serious and lasting consequences.

Please don't. Driving while your licence is suspended or disqualified is a serious criminal offence. Police and the Courts treat this offending very seriously, even if you are only driving to or from work or for another seemingly important reason. If you are caught driving while suspended or disqualified, the vehicle you are driving may be impounded and you may be arrested and charged with driving while suspended. The consequences can be significant and may include: A fine of up to $750. An automatic six-month disqualification from driving. A criminal conviction. Possible vehicle impoundment. Perhaps the most significant consequence is that a conviction for driving while suspended or disqualified will prevent you from being eligible to apply for a Limited Licence. This means you will lose the opportunity to lawfully drive for the duration of your disqualification. A criminal conviction can also have long-term consequences, including affecting future employment opportunities, professional registrations, insurance, overseas travel, and other aspects of your personal and professional life. While your current licence suspension or disqualification relates to your driving privileges, driving unlawfully can escalate the matter into a criminal conviction with far more serious and lasting consequences.

Every driver begins with a clean slate — zero demerit points. But traffic offences like speeding, holding a phone while driving, or not wearing a seatbelt will cause you to earn demerit points. If you rack up 100 or more active points within a 2-year period, your licence will be automatically suspended. During this suspension time, you’re not allowed to drive at all. Call us and we'll talk you through it.

Great question — and one we hear every day! The first step is to understand whether you may be eligible to apply for a Limited Licence. We recommend reading the information available on this website about eligibility, the Court process, likely timeframes, and the Government filing fees. If you still have questions, you're welcome to contact us for a free, confidential and general information call. We are happy to explain the Limited Licence process, answer your questions, and help you understand your options.