Can I get a Limited Licence after drink driving?
For most people, yes. But not straight away, and not everyone.
The 28-day wait
If you are disqualified on conviction for a drink driving offence, the law says no order can be made that lets you get a Limited Licence until 28 days after the disqualification takes effect [1]. You do not have to wait to apply. The District Court practice note says an application may be filed at any time after the disqualification is imposed [2], and the Ministry of Justice says the stand-down still applies [3]. Use that time to get your application ready.
Where you apply
After a court disqualification, the application must be made to a District Court Judge in the court that disqualified you [1]. The practice note says a registrar or Judge can transfer it to another registry for hearing [2]. The Ministry of Justice lists the court fee as $175 [3].
When the answer is no
The law sets out who cannot apply. After drink driving, that includes you if [1][3]:
- you are on an alcohol interlock sentence, or would have been but for an exception
- you were disqualified under the repeat offender provisions for alcohol or drugs
- you have two or more listed offences, including drink driving, dangerous driving or failing to stop, committed within 5 years of each other and from different incidents
- you are disqualified for driving while disqualified or suspended, or for driving contrary to a Limited Licence
- a driver licence stop order is in effect
Interlock and zero alcohol licences are different
An alcohol interlock licence or a zero alcohol licence is not the same as a Limited Licence. If the court has given you an alcohol interlock sentence, you cannot apply for a Limited Licence for it [1]. NZTA also says you may not be able to get a Limited Licence if you have an interlock sentence and do not have an interlock licence [4].
What the court looks at
The court can make an order only if it is satisfied that the disqualification causes extreme hardship to you or undue hardship to someone else, and that the order is not contrary to the interests of public safety [1]. After drink driving, the practice note asks your affidavit to cover [2]:
- your hardship, set out as facts
- all your previous driving convictions, not just the last 5 years
- what arrangements you made during the stand-down
- how you are paying any fine for the offence
What the court can allow
The order sets the purpose, the vehicle, the days and times, and anything else needed to keep it to the hardship proved [1]. You can only be allowed to drive a class you held immediately before you were disqualified [1].
Not sure where you stand?
Drink driving cases are where people get caught out, because every history is different.
Give us a call on 0800 437 005, or start at nzlimitedlicence.co.nz/apply. Our document preparation starts from $645 + GST.
For background, read what happens after you blow over the limit and what NZTA data says about interlocks. If work is your reason to drive, see our Limited Licence for work page.
Sources
- Land Transport Act 1998, sections 32, 82A, 90, 91, 103, 104 and 105, New Zealand Legislation, https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1998/0110/latest/whole.html (accessed 21 October 2026)
- Practice Note: Applications for a Limited Licence, District Court of New Zealand, https://www.districtcourts.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Publications/2024/Limited-Licence-Practice-Note-FINAL.pdf (accessed 21 October 2026)
- Get a Limited Licence, Ministry of Justice, https://www.justice.govt.nz/courts/criminal/get-a-limited-licence/ (accessed 21 October 2026)
- Limited Licence, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, https://www.nzta.govt.nz/driver-licences/driving-offences-and-penalties/driving-offences/limited-licence (accessed 21 October 2026)
Checked by Guy Hollister, Director, NZ Limited Licence, on 21 Sep 26