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Limited licence / work licence applications
If you've been disqualified from driving by the District Court or have received a three-month demerit point suspension, we may be able to help if you need to keep driving for work or another important reason.
The rules relating to limited licences
The Land Transport Act 1998 allows the Court to grant a limited licence if it is satisfied that the disqualification or suspension will result in extreme hardship to you (such as loss of your job) or cause undue hardship to someone else, such as a family member.
There's no automatic entitlement to a limited licence. Every application is assessed on its own merits and evidence needs to be provided that alternatives (such as public transport, ridesharing, or getting a lift from a colleague) are not feasible. In many cases, there is a 28 day stand-down period from the date of the disqualification during which you'll need to make your own arrangements, and certain convictions rule out a limited licence altogether.
If you're an employee, we normally need to get sworn evidence from your employer confirming the terms of your employment and any work-related driving requirements. If you're self-employed, then sufficient financial information about your income and expenses needs to put before the Court.
The Court also needs to be satisfied that granting a limited licence would not be contrary to the interests of public safety.
If the application is granted, the order will set out in detail:
- the purpose for which the limited licence is granted (for example, enabling you to get to and from work);
- the specific vehicle(s) that you are authorised to drive;
- the days of the week and times you can drive,
- any other conditions that are necessary to limit your driving.
A recent change in the District Court practice guidelines means that unopposed applications are now commonly dealt with "on the papers" without a Court appearance being required, but this remains at the discretion of the Judge who is dealing with the application.
Our limited licence application service
We provide a comprehensive service for limited licence applications in the Auckland, Manukau, Papakura and Pukekohe District Courts. We don't use templates and we ensure that the applications we prepare are tailored to our clients' specific driving requirements and personal circumstances.
Our lawyers will discuss your requirements with you and then prepare a detailed written application together with the necessary supporting affidavits, and then liaise with the local Police prosecution section to ensure (if possible) that the application can proceed on an unopposed basis. If a Court appearance is required, we will attend with you.
Enquire by email today if you need a limited licence, or call our Manukau office on 09 266 6185.