What is a Limited Licence in New Zealand?

A Limited Licence, also called a Work Licence, is a court order that allows someone disqualified from driving to drive under strict conditions, usually for work. It is not a full licence and comes with restrictions such as permitted hours, routes, and purpose of driving.

Who can apply for a Limited Licence?

You may qualify for a Limited Licence if not having one would cause extreme hardship or undue inconvenience to others. This includes situations where you need to drive for your job, your employer confirms driving is essential, or your family would suffer hardship. However, repeat or serious offences may make you ineligible.

How do I apply for a Limited Licence in NZ?

To apply, you must prepare and file the correct legal documents at the District Court, including affidavits and employer letters. A judge will review your case and, if approved, issue conditions for your licence. After court approval, you must apply to Waka Kotahi (NZTA) to receive your physical Limited Licence card.

How long does it take to get a Limited Licence?

The process typically takes 1–2 weeks, depending on court availability and whether your documents are correctly prepared. Delays can occur due to missing paperwork, vague employer letters, or court backlogs. Professional guidance can help avoid errors and speed up approval.

How much does a Limited Licence cost?

Costs include the District Court filing fee, NZTA licence card fee, and any professional assistance fees. At Easy Work Licence, we offer transparent pricing and flexible payment options such as Afterpay. While there is a cost, it is usually far less than the income lost from being unable to work without a licence.

What is the difference between a Limited Licence and a Work Licence?

There is no difference. Limited Licence and Work Licence are two terms for the same thing: a court order that allows restricted driving after disqualification, usually to keep working. The legal term is Limited Licence, but many people call it a Work Licence.

Can I use a Limited Licence for personal reasons?

No. A Limited Licence only allows driving for the specific reasons set by the court, such as work-related tasks. Using it for personal reasons like shopping or social outings is illegal and may result in further penalties or an extended disqualification period.

Why should I use Easy Work Licence instead of applying myself?

While you can apply on your own, many applications are declined due to errors, incomplete paperwork, or weak employer letters. Easy Work Licence makes the process simple and stress-free by preparing accurate documents, guiding you through each step, and improving your chances of approval. We also offer flexible payment options like Afterpay.

Terms and Conditions — Easy Work Licence

Terms and Conditions of Trade

(“the Terms”)

1. General

a. These Terms apply to all services provided by Easy Work Licence (“we/us/Easy Work Licence”) to any person at any time (“you”).

2. Engagement and Acceptance of Terms and Conditions

a. By completing the ‘Get Started’ Tallyform that will have been sent to you via email (this is not the form that is freely available via our website) you are deemed to have engaged our services.

b. By clicking “I have read and agree to be bound by the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy” prior to submitting the ‘Get Started’ Tallyform and engaging our services you irrevocably agree to be bound by these Terms.

3. Information to be Provided and to be Correct

a. During the Limited Licence application process you will be required to provide information to us. All information provided to us will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Information that we require may include, without limitation, the following:

i. Your name, age, address, and marital status;

ii. Your employment history, current employer, duties and responsibilities;

iii. Your financial position including your income, expenses, and level of savings (if any); and

iv. Your criminal and driving history.

b. If you do not provide information when requested, or if the information you provide is inaccurate or incomplete, then we will be unable to proceed with your application.

c. We will follow up with you to request the missing or incomplete information, however if you continue to fail to provide the required information then your application will be cancelled.

4. Employer Support Required

a. In the situation that you are applying for a Limited Licence to drive in the course of your employment then you acknowledge that your employer’s support in the form of a sworn affidavit is required.

b. If your employer does not support your application or at some later stage withdraws their consent then your application will be cancelled.

5. Change of Mind

a. If you change your mind and decide that you no longer wish to proceed with our services then you must provide us with such notice in writing.

b. Upon our receipt of your written notice of cancellation your application will be cancelled and our services terminated.

6. Abandonment

a. Your application will be considered to be abandoned if you fail to respond to our correspondence and engage in the process for a prolonged period of time. This includes not responding to emails, phone calls, and text messages.

b. In the situation that your application is considered to be abandoned it will be cancelled.

7. Application Cancelled

a. If your application is cancelled pursuant to any of Clauses 4 – 7 above, then you agree that Easy Work Licence is entitled to bill you for work completed up to the point of cancellation.

b. Work completed will be billed at an hourly rate of $100 per hour.

c. If you have pre-paid sums then the cost of work completed will be deducted from those funds.

d. If the cost of work completed is less than the amount that you have pre-paid then the balance will be refunded to you.

8. Limitation of Liability

a. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Easy Work Licence, it employees, and agents shall not be liable for any loss, damage, cost, or expense (whether direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or special) arising out of or in connection with:

i. the use of our website, services, or materials;

ii. reliance on any information, advice, or guidance provided by us;

iii. delays, errors, or omissions in the preparation or submission of applications; or

iv. circumstances beyond our reasonable control.

b. To the extent liability cannot be excluded under New Zealand law, our total aggregate liability to you, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), or otherwise, shall be limited to the total fees paid by you for the relevant service.

c. Nothing in these Terms is intended to exclude or limit any rights you may have under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 or the Fair Trading Act 1986 (to the extent those laws apply).

9. Disclaimer of Legal Advice

a. Easy Work Licence is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, legal representation, or advocacy services.

b. The information, guidance, and assistance we provide in relation to limited licence applications is general in nature and based on our experience with the application process. It should not be relied upon as a substitute for independent legal advice.

c. If you require legal advice or representation (for example, appearing in Court), you should seek assistance from a qualified lawyer.

d. While we make reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy of the information we provide, we make no guarantee that our materials or services are complete, up to date, or suitable for your particular circumstances.

10. No Guarantee of Outcome

a. Easy Work Licence will use reasonable efforts, care, and skill in assisting with the preparation of limited licence applications.

b. However, we do not and cannot guarantee that any application will be approved by the Court or relevant authorities.

c. The granting of a limited licence is entirely at the discretion of the Court and subject to legal requirements beyond our control.

d. You acknowledge and accept that the outcome of your application may depend on factors including (but not limited to) your personal circumstances, driving history, supporting evidence provided, and the Court’s assessment.

11. Licence to Use Documents

a. Upon full payment of our fees, Easy Work Licence grants you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to use the documents, templates, and materials that we prepare specifically for your limited licence application (the “Documents”).

b. This licence is granted solely for your personal use in connection with your limited licence application and may not be sold, assigned, sublicensed, or otherwise transferred to any other person or entity.

c. You agree not to copy, reproduce, distribute, publish, or use the Documents for any purpose other than your own application, unless you have obtained our prior written consent.

d. All intellectual property rights in the Documents and in our website materials remain the property of Easy Work Licence. Except for the licence expressly granted above, no rights are transferred to you.

12. Payment Terms

a. All invoices issued by Easy Work Licence are payable within 7 days of the invoice date, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

In all situations, final form documents will not be released to you until payment in full has been made.
Failure to pay an invoice by the due date constitutes a default.

13. Consequences of Default

If you fail to pay any invoice by it’s due date, Easy Work Licence may, without limitation:
a. charge default interest on the overdue amount at the rate of 2% per month charged daily from the due date until the date that payment is received in full
b. Recover from you all costs (including legal fees on a client solicitor basis, collection agencies, and filing fees) incurred in recovering the debt.

14. Debt Recovery

Easy Work Licence may, at its discretion:
a. refer or assign any unpaid debt to a third-party debt collection agency for recovery on its behalf;
b. sell or assign the debt to a third party.
You acknowledge that once a debt is referred, sold, or assigned, you will be liable to the third party for the original debt plus any additional fees and costs incurred.