Family and care

A limited licence when someone depends on you

Reviewed by Guy Hollister, Director, 16 October 2026

The law looks at hardship to other people too. If a child, partner or parent relies on you to get them where they need to be, that can count.

Is this you?

Parents who do school or daycare runs with no other way to get there.
People who drive a partner, parent or child to medical appointments or treatment.
Carers for someone with a disability or long term illness.
People who take an older relative to shops, appointments or support services.
Sole parents with no one else who can drive.

What the court needs to see

Who depends on you, and how.
Why they cannot get there another way, like public transport, a taxi or someone else driving.
What would happen to them if you could not drive.
The real trips: where, which days and what times.
That you are asking only for the driving that is truly needed.

How the law works

A District Court can make a limited licence order under sections 103 to 105 of the Land Transport Act 1998.
The court has to be satisfied that the suspension or disqualification has caused, or will cause, extreme hardship to you (through work or otherwise) or undue hardship to someone else, and that making the order is not contrary to the interests of public safety.
The order spells out why you can drive, the days and times, the vehicle and the area.
The licence covers the vehicles designated for your employment, even if they are your own vehicle.
The court grants the least driving needed to deal with the hardship, so ask for what you really need.

Evidence checklist

Names, ages and your relationship to each person who depends on you.
School or daycare names, addresses and start and finish times.
Medical appointment letters, treatment schedules or a list of regular appointments.
A letter from a doctor, nurse or support service, if one is available.
Details of any disability or condition that affects how the person can travel, shared only as far as you are comfortable.
Why others cannot help: a partner who does not drive, family far away, shift work.
Bus routes and timetables that do not fit, or no service at all.
Your home address and each regular destination.
Your suspension notice, or the court disqualification details.

We help you set out the care you provide clearly and respectfully. Any supporting statements are prepared for signing at court, never signed or witnessed in advance.

Demerit suspension or drink driving?

Demerit suspension: there is no stand down, so you can apply once your suspension notice has been served on you.
Drink driving (EBA) disqualification: there is a 28 day stand down from the start of the disqualification before an application can be heard, and some people cannot apply at all.
Your driving history matters in both. Police see it, so tell us everything at the start.
Not sure which applies to you? Check the eligibility guide.

What the limited licence can cover

School and daycare drop offs and pick ups at set times.
Medical, hospital and treatment appointments.
Regular care trips for a named person.
Set days and times, a named vehicle and set routes or an area.

The exact purposes, days, times, vehicle and area are up to the court, and you must keep to them.

How it works with us

You tell us your situation and send what you have.
We prepare your affidavit, application, draft order and boundary map, plus any supporting affidavit you need.
You read everything carefully. Nothing gets signed until you are at the court.
You sign and swear your affidavit at the District Court when you file, then serve a copy on Police yourself.
If the court makes an order, you apply to NZTA for the actual limited licence.

Common mistakes

Describing care in general terms without real trips, days and times.
Leaving out evidence of appointments or schedules.
Not explaining why another adult cannot do the driving.
Asking for social or shopping trips that are not part of the care.
Not mentioning an earlier suspension or disqualification.
Driving before the order is made and NZTA issues the licence.

Questions

Can I get a limited licence just for the school run?

School runs can be part of an order where there is no reasonable alternative. The court weighs hardship to you and to others, so explain the full picture.

Does hardship to my family count?

Yes. The court can consider undue hardship to another person, not just to you.

Do I need a letter from a doctor?

It is not always needed, but appointment letters or a support letter make the need much clearer.

Can it cover work and family trips together?

Yes. Many orders cover both, as long as each purpose is real and set out clearly.

Other situations

Ready to start?

Documents from $645 + GST. We prepare your application documents for any District Court.

Start your application Or call 0800 437 005

NZ Limited Licence prepares application documents. We are not lawyers and do not give legal advice. Every application is decided by the court on its own facts. Source: Land Transport Act 1998, sections 103 to 105.