Limited Licence for Sales Reps: Territory and Commission
A sales rep's office is the car. You drive to clients, stores and sites across a territory, and your pay may depend on how many calls you make. Lose your licence and the income can drop away fast. A Limited Licence application has to turn that into evidence the court can rely on.
Describe the territory
The court cannot approve driving anywhere at all. The area has to be set by a route or clear boundary points, not a radius [2]. Start with your territory as your employer defines it, then mark the roads and towns you really cover. See routes and maps.
If your territory is large, show how often you go to each part. The court can only allow the driving needed to ease the hardship [1].
A normal week
Set out:
- where you start and finish each day
- regular accounts and how often you visit them
- new business calls
- trips to the office, warehouse or meetings
- your usual hours
Call reports, CRM records or a diary are good evidence.
Commission and income
If part of your pay is commission, show what you would lose. Payslips and commission statements over several months tell the story better than a single good month. If your job would end without a licence, your employer should say that plainly.
Company car
The order names the vehicle, or type of vehicle, you can drive [1]. If you use a pool car, a company car or your own car, say which. Your employer may also run checks on your licence. Read driving a work vehicle on a Limited Licence and TORO driver checks.
Employer affidavit
The practice note expects an employer affidavit for work hardship [2]. It should cover your role, territory, hours, the vehicle and what happens to your job if you cannot drive.
Could the work change?
Expect the court to ask whether some of your work could be done by phone or video, or whether a colleague could cover part of the territory [3]. Answer honestly. If some calls really can move online, saying so can make the rest of your request more believable.
Disclose all previous driving related convictions [2].
Every affidavit is signed only in front of the person who witnesses it, and the easiest place to do that is at the court when you file. Never sign one in advance.
Sources
- Land Transport Act 1998, sections 103, 104 and 105, New Zealand Legislation, https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1998/0110/latest/DLM434582.html (accessed 2 November 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 2 November 2026)
- Applying for a Limited Licence (2024 guide), Community Law, https://www.justice.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Publications/Applying-for-a-Limited-Licence-Guide-CL-2024.pdf (accessed 2 November 2026)
- Limited Licence, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, https://www.nzta.govt.nz/driver-licences/driving-offences-and-penalties/driving-offences/limited-licence (accessed 2 November 2026)
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive outside my territory for a meeting?
Only if the order covers that route. Plan for it in the application.
I am a self employed agent. Can I still apply?
Yes. Your evidence comes from your own records and accounts. You still cannot drive until the order is made and the licence issued.
Can I give a client a lift?
Only if your order allows it. Carrying anyone for payment is a passenger service, which has strict limits.
More on driving for work at our Limited Licence for work page, or see self employed.
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 11 Nov 26