Doing Your Own Limited Licence Application
You do not have to pay anyone to apply for a Limited Licence. The Ministry of Justice publishes information for people applying themselves [2]. Plenty of people do. Here is what is involved, so you can decide.
What you will need to do
- Check you can apply under section 103 [1].
- Find your suspension notice or court order.
- Write your affidavit, setting out the facts of your hardship [3].
- Get an affidavit from your employer if your hardship is about work [3].
- Gather supporting evidence.
- Draft the order you want, with purpose, vehicle, hours and routes [1].
- File at the right court and pay the filing fee [2].
- Serve a copy on the nearest Police Prosecution Service.
- Attend the hearing.
Where people go wrong
- Assertions instead of facts. "I will lose my job" is weaker than the details of why [3].
- Asking for too much. The court only allows the least driving needed [1].
- Leaving out convictions. The practice note says all previous driving related convictions should be disclosed [3].
- Signing too early. Do not sign your affidavit before you get to court. Sign it only in front of the person who witnesses it, and the easiest place to do that is at the court when you arrive. Once it is signed, not a single word can change unless the change is also signed and witnessed.
- Hours or vehicles that do not match real life. Driving outside the order is an offence [1].
If you are declined
You generally cannot reapply for 3 months unless you have relevant new evidence [1]. That is the main risk of a do it yourself application that is not quite right.
When help is worth it
If you are confident writing clearly and your situation is simple, doing it yourself can work. If you are short on time, unsure what the court wants, or your job is on the line, having the documents prepared can take the guesswork out. Our service starts from $645 + GST.
Sources
- Land Transport Act 1998, sections 32, 90, 95, 103, 104 and 105, New Zealand Legislation, https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1998/0110/latest/DLM434582.html (accessed 13 October 2026)
- Get a Limited Licence, New Zealand Ministry of Justice, https://www.justice.govt.nz/courts/criminal/get-a-limited-licence/ (accessed 13 October 2026)
- Practice Note: Applications for a Limited Licence (24 May 2024), District Court of New Zealand, https://www.districtcourts.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Publications/2024/Limited-Licence-Practice-Note-FINAL.pdf (accessed 13 October 2026)
Frequently asked questions
Are there forms I can use?
The Ministry of Justice has information on applying. Check its page for the current requirements.
Will the court help me fill it in?
Court staff can explain the process but cannot give legal advice or write your affidavit.
Can I get you to check what I have written?
Call us on 0800 437 005 to talk about your situation.
We prepare Limited Licence documents from $645 + GST. Call 0800 437 005 or start at nzlimitedlicence.co.nz/apply.
Checked by Guy Hollister, Director, NZ Limited Licence, on 24 October 2026