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Factsheet 70 – November 2009
Heavy vehicle driver licences
YOU NEED a class 2, 3, 4 or 5 driver licence to drive heavy motor vehicles.
You must have the right class of driver licence for the type and weight of vehicle you want to drive.
Some specialised vehicles require the driver to also hold an appropriate endorsement.
Factsheet 11, Driver licence classes explains the vehicle types and weights covered by each class and endorsement. Factsheets are available on the website and from driver licensing agents.
How do I get a heavy vehicle licence?
Before you can get a licence to drive heavy vehicles, you must gain experience driving lighter vehicles. You must then demonstrate your competence in heavy vehicles by passing the appropriate practical test or completing an approved course.
You will need to apply in person at an NZ Transport Agency driver licensing agent. These are selected branches of the Automobile Association (AA), Vehicle Testing New Zealand (VTNZ) and Vehicle Inspection New Zealand (VINZ). A full list of agents, their addresses and hours of business are available on our website.
Factsheet 20, Identification for driver licensing, lists the forms of identification you will need to take with you.
Getting a Class 2 licence
You must first get a Class 2 learner licence. To do this, you must:
- hold a full Class 1 licence for at least six months
- present a medical certificate
- pass a theory test.
To get a full Class 2 licence, you must:
- present a medical certificate
- hold a Class 2 learner licence for at least six months and then pass a practical test in a Class 2 vehicle, or
- hold a Class 2 learner licence and then pass the approved training course for progression to a Class 2 full licence.
Getting a Class 3 licence
You must first get a Class 3 learner licence. To do this, you must:
- hold a full Class 2 licence for at least six months (or for at least three months, if you are aged 25 or over)
- present a medical certificate
- pass a theory test.
Note: if you are aged 25 or over and you successfully complete the approved over 25 Class 3L course, you can apply for a Class 3 learner licence with no minimum time on a full Class 2 licence. See below for more information.
To get a full Class 3 licence, you must:
- present a medical certificate
- hold a Class 3 learner licence for at least six months and then pass a practical test in a Class 3 combination vehicle, or
- hold a Class 3 learner licence and then pass the approved course for progression to a Class 3 full licence.
Getting a Class 4 licence
You must first get a Class 4 learner licence. To do this, you must:
- hold a full Class 2 licence for at least six months (or for at least three months, if you are aged 25 or over)
- present a medical certificate.
You do not need to pass a theory test, as you will have passed this when obtaining your Class 2 licence.
Note: if you are aged 25 or over and you successfully complete the approved over 25 Class 4L course, you can apply for a Class 4 learner licence with no minimum time on a full Class 2 licence.
To get a full Class 4 licence, you must:
- present a medical certificate
- hold a Class 4 learner licence for at least six months and then pass a practical test in a Class 4 vehicle,
or - hold a Class 4 learner licence and then pass the approved course for progression to a Class 4 full licence.
Getting a Class 5 licence
You must first get a Class 5 learner licence. To do this, you must:
- hold a full Class 4 licence for at least six months (or for at least three months, if you are aged 25 or over)
- present a medical certificate
- pass a theory test (unless you have previously passed a theory test for a Class 3 licence).
Note: If you are aged 25 or over and you successfully complete the approved over 25 Class 5L course, you can apply for a Class 5 learner licence with no minimum time on a full Class 4 licence.
To get a full Class 5 licence you must:
- present a medical certificate
- hold a Class 5 learner licence for at least six months and then pass a practical test in a Class 5 combination vehicle,
or - hold a Class 5 learner licence and then pass the approved course for progression to a Class 5 full licence.
Medical certificates
Medical certificates are usually required every time you apply for (or renew) a heavy vehicle driver licence. However, you may not have to present a medical certificate if you have already presented one for a class 2, 3, 4 or 5 application, or a P, V, I or O endorsement application, within the last five years, and you sign a declaration. The declaration will require you to confirm that any condition that you may have had hasn't worsened and you haven't been diagnosed with any other condition since you presented that medical certificate.
Medical certificates must:
- be the original
- be from a New Zealand-registered medical practitioner
- be not more than 60 days old
- state that you are safe to drive, or set out the conditions under which you can drive.
Eyesight requirements
You must prove that your eyesight meets the required standard each time you apply for a new licence class or endorsement or renew your licence. To do this you can:
- present a certificate issued by a New Zealand-registered optometrist (this certificate must not be more than 60 days old)
- present a satisfactory medical certificate issued by a New Zealand-registered medical practitioner (this certificate must not be more than 60 days old and must specifically cover eyesight)
- pass an eyesight screening check at a driver licensing agent.
Note: the agents' eyesight screening machines eliminate the need for many drivers to be tested by an optometrist or medical practitioner. However, if you don't pass the screening check, then you must provide one of the certificates listed before your application can proceed. Some drivers choose to supply a certificate instead of taking a screening check. If you have vision in only one eye, you must present an eye certificate from a doctor or optometrist.
How much does it cost?
The table below sets out the fees for obtaining a heavy vehicle licence (class 2, 3, 4 or 5).
| Learner licence application fee | $39.30 |
| Theory test fee | $39.70 |
| Full licence application fee | $44.30 |
| Practical test fee | $48.90 |
All fees include GST and are non-refundable.
About approved driving training courses
Many drivers want to obtain their next licence class without having to wait the minimum time period.
There are two different types of courses available to achieve this:
Courses for early progression of persons 25 years of age or over to a class 3, 4 or 5 learner licence
If you are over 25 years of age and you want to get your class 3, 4 or 5 learner licence with no minimum time on the previous licence class, you need to successfully complete the approved driver licensing course the assesses the driving experience, knowledge and skills of persons 25 years of age or over. There are different courses to progress to a learner licence for classes 3, 4 and 5.
Courses for progression to a class 2, 3, 4 or 5 full licence
By successfully completing this approved driving licensing course, you are not required to hold your learner licence for six months and you are not required to sit the practical full licence test. There are different courses to progress to each class of full licence (classes 2, 3, 4 and 5).
After completing the appropriate course, you need to take your course certificate to an NZ Transport Agency driver licensing agent to have the new class added to your driver licence.
Contact a course provider for details on their course costs, location and times.
Finding approved course providers
To find approved course providers in your area:
- check the list of approved course providers in your area,
or - phone our driver licensing contact centre on 0800 822 422.
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