Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about limited licence applications in New Zealand. No jargon. No runaround.
General
A limited licence allows you to drive under specific conditions while you are otherwise disqualified or suspended. It is granted by a court and sets out exactly when and where you can drive — typically for work, essential family obligations, or other hardship reasons. The licence has a boundary map that defines the geographic area you are permitted to drive within.
No. A limited licence restricts you to specific routes and times. The boundary map defines exactly where you can drive, and the court order sets the days and hours. Driving outside these conditions is a criminal offence — effectively driving while disqualified. This is why precise boundary maps are critical.
Yes. We prepare limited licence applications for filing in any District Court in New Zealand. The documents are prepared remotely — you provide your information online, we draft everything, and you file at your local court. For Full Representation, a lawyer attends the hearing with you at your local court.
A disqualification is imposed by a court as part of a sentence — typically for drink driving, drug driving, or other driving offences. A suspension is imposed by NZTA, usually for accumulating 100 or more demerit points. The application process is similar but the court fees differ, and disqualifications have a 28-day stand-down that suspensions do not.
Eligibility
If you are still within the 28-day stand-down period, we can begin preparation now so documents are ready to file the moment you become eligible. If you are ineligible for another reason — such as a disqualification for driving while disqualified — give us a call. There may be alternative applications depending on your circumstances.
Most people who have been disqualified or suspended can apply. The main exclusions are: disqualification for driving while disqualified, repeat specified convictions within five years, excessively high reading (over 800 mcg breath or 160 mg blood), or an alcohol interlock requirement. Our eligibility checker gives you a definitive answer in two minutes.
The key difference: no 28-day stand-down. You can apply immediately after suspension. The application process and pricing are the same. Contact us as soon as you receive your suspension notice and we will begin preparation immediately.
If your breath alcohol reading was over 800 micrograms per litre (or blood alcohol over 160 milligrams per 100 millilitres), you may face an alcohol interlock sentence. Under s103(2)(e) of the Land Transport Act 1998, an interlock sentence statutorily bars a limited licence application. The interlock licence itself is the mechanism that allows you to drive. Our eligibility quiz checks for this automatically.
Process
If the application is dealt with on the papers, no hearing is required at all. If a hearing is scheduled, you attend in person regardless of whether you have a lawyer — a lawyer does not avoid this step. With our preparation service, the hearing is typically a brief procedural matter and our hearing preparation notes cover exactly what to expect. If your case is complex or Police are likely to oppose, our Full Representation service ($1,499 + GST) means a lawyer is beside you at the hearing to handle submissions.
Once you complete the online form, we prepare your documents promptly. The court hearing is typically scheduled 1–2 weeks after filing. For court-imposed disqualifications, there is a 28-day stand-down before you can apply — we prepare everything during that window. Demerit suspensions have no stand-down and we can act immediately.
Police may file a notice of opposition. If they do, the court hearing involves Police submissions and may take longer. Proper preparation is especially important in opposed applications — the quality of your affidavit and supporting evidence matters more, not less. If you anticipate opposition, our Full Representation service ($1,499 + GST) means a lawyer handles submissions on your behalf.
We review your information, confirm your eligibility, and begin preparing your documents. You will receive a draft of your application within 1–2 business days of providing your completed information. We will contact you if we need any additional details. Once the documents are finalised, we provide filing instructions for your local court.
When a court disqualifies you from driving, you must wait 28 days before you can apply for a limited licence. This stand-down period is set by law and cannot be shortened. However, we can begin preparing your application during the stand-down so that it is ready to file on day 29. Demerit point suspensions have no stand-down — you can apply immediately.
In some cases, yes. If the application is thorough, properly evidenced, and Police do not oppose, the court may decide the application without requiring you to appear. The judge reviews the documents and signs the order. This outcome is only possible when the drafting meets the required standard — it depends entirely on the quality of the application.
Contact us immediately. Changes in your circumstances — such as a new charge, a change of employment, or new information about your case — may affect your application. We can amend documents before they are filed if needed.
Pricing
Court fees depend on your situation. For a disqualification, the court filing fee is $171. For a demerit point suspension, the filing fee is $269 plus a $67 court order sealing fee. The NZTA licence reinstatement fee of $48.70 applies in all cases. These fees are separate from our preparation fee, are not included in either pricing tier, and are payable directly to the relevant agencies.
Lawyer-reviewed application, your affidavit, supporting affidavit, boundary map, draft court order, court-ready formatting, filing guidance, and hearing preparation notes. Court fees ($171 for disqualification; $269 + $67 for demerit suspension) and the NZTA licence reinstatement fee ($48.70) are payable separately to those agencies. That is every cost — we do not quote POA and there are no additional charges.
If payment timing is a concern, contact us to discuss your situation. Court and NZTA fees are payable separately and directly to those agencies at the time of filing.
Still have questions?
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