Limited Licence Opotiki

Applying for a limited licence at the Opotiki District Court Hearing Centre? Here is where to file, what it costs and what happens next. NZ Limited Licence prepares limited licence application documents for all 58 District Courts: your affidavit, the application, the draft order and the supporting affidavit or declaration. We are a document preparation service, not a law firm.

Filing at the Opotiki District Court Hearing Centre

• Address: 117 Church Street & corner of Elliot Street, Opotiki
• Counter: open on an as-required basis only
• Registry email: whakatane.dc@justice.govt.nz
• Registry: Opotiki District Court Registry office is located at Whakatane District Court

Court details from the Ministry of Justice court finder (page updated 1 September 2026). These are the court's details, not ours.

Where you file depends on how you lost your licence. If a court disqualified you, your application should be filed at the court that disqualified you. If you were suspended for demerit points, you can file at your local District Court. You sign and swear your own affidavit in front of court staff when you file.

What it costs

The demerit fee is shown plus GST, with the total including GST next to it. Our other prices include GST.

• Demerit point suspension application: $645 + GST ($741.75 incl GST)
• Court disqualification, including drink driving (EBA): $1,299 incl GST
• Same day priority preparation: add $316.25 incl GST

Government fees are paid by you, straight to the court and NZTA:

• Court filing fee: $175 after a court disqualification, or $275 after a demerit suspension
• Court sealing fee: $69 if a demerit order is granted
• NZTA limited licence fee: $48.70 (more, plus tests, if you were disqualified for over 12 months)

A typical demerit application comes to $1,134.45 all up: our fee, the court filing and sealing fees, and the NZTA fee. A court disqualification, including any drink driving (EBA), comes to $1,522.70 all up (the NZTA fee is higher, and tests apply, if you were disqualified for over 12 months). Government fees are not refunded if an application is declined.

Government fees checked 8 October 2026: Ministry of Justice, NZ Transport Agency.

How long it takes

A demerit point suspension has no stand-down, so you can apply straight away. After a court disqualification there is generally a 28 day stand-down: you can file during it, but the limited licence cannot start until it ends.

Once Police consent to your application, the court can grant your limited licence without a hearing in most cases. If the court grants the order, you then apply to NZTA for the licence itself.

Who can apply

You may be able to apply if a court has disqualified you, or NZTA has suspended you for demerit points, and not being able to drive causes extreme hardship to you (not just inconvenience) or undue hardship to someone else, such as your employer or people who depend on you.

Who usually cannot

• You were disqualified for repeat offending involving alcohol or drugs, or you are required to use an alcohol interlock
• You were disqualified for driving while disqualified or suspended, or for driving outside the conditions of a limited licence
• You were disqualified for dangerous driving, failing to stop after an accident, or careless or inconsiderate driving causing injury or death
• You have a Driver Licence Stop Order in effect

Source: Ministry of Justice, Get a limited licence. Not sure where you stand? Check eligibility or start your application and we will tell you straight.

Questions about the Opotiki District Court Hearing Centre

Where is the Opotiki District Court Hearing Centre?
The Opotiki District Court Hearing Centre is at 117 Church Street & corner of Elliot Street, Opotiki. Opotiki District Court Registry office is located at Whakatane District Court.

Do I need to attend court in Opotiki for a limited licence?
In most cases, no. Once Police consent to your application, the Opotiki District Court Hearing Centre can grant your limited licence without a hearing. If a Judge does want to see you, you attend in person. NZ Limited Licence prepares documents and does not appear in court.

How much does a limited licence cost in Opotiki?
Our fee is $645 + GST ($741.75 incl GST) for a demerit point suspension application, or $1,299 incl GST after a court disqualification, including drink driving (EBA). Government fees are separate: a court filing fee of $275 (demerit) or $175 (court disqualification), a $69 sealing fee if a demerit order is granted, and NZTA's $48.70 licence fee.