Factsheet

Driver licence classes

How do I know which class of driver licence I need?
Driver licence classes cover cars, motorcycles and heavy vehicles, and are based on the type of vehicle and the weight of the vehicle. Vehicles can be rigid (eg a truck) or a combination (eg a truck and trailer). The class of driver licence required will depend on the gross laden weight (GLW) for rigid vehicles and the gross combined weight (GCW) for combination vehicles. Read the vehicle weight definitions at the end of this factsheet. The GLW or GCW generally refers to the weight specified by the manufacturer. This is the weight you should use to determine what class of driver licence you need. A holder of a Class 1 full licence can drive:

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June 2013

ISSN 1172-0689 (print) ISSN 1172-0778 (online)

a vehicle that has a GLW or GCW of no more than 6000kg (this includes tractors and combination vehicles, but does not include motorcycles) a moped or all-terrain vehicle any motorhome or tradepersons vehicle with a GLW of not more than 6000kg a combination vehicle of not more than 6000kg which is not a tractor/trailer or agricultural tractor/agricultural trailer a forklift with a GLW of not more than 18,000kg a special-type vehicle that runs on rollers or self-laying tracks and has a GLW of not more than 18,000kg a special-type vehicle that runs on wheels and has a GLW of not more than 6000kg a special type vehicle that runs on wheels and has a GLW of more than 6000kg but not more than 18,000kg, if driven at a speed not exceeding --40km/h, in the case of a special-type vehicle that is an agricultural motor vehicle; or 30km/h, in the case of any other special type vehicle

How do I find out the weight?

All vehicles over 3500kg are required to have a certificate of loading, which is usually displayed on the vehicles front windscreen. The certificate of loading will state the Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) or Gross Combined Mass (GCM) of the vehicle. In most cases the GVM (on the certificate of loading) will be the same as the vehicles GLW and the GCM will be the same as the vehicles GCW. Make sure you dont use the vehicles unladen weight, tare weight, or the weight on the Road User Charges (RUC) distance licence.

a tractor with a GLW of more than 6000kg but not more than 18,000kg, if driven at a speed not exceeding --40km/h, in the case of an agricultural tractor 30km/h, in the case of any other tractor

a combination vehicle with a GCW of not more than 25,000kg, if driven at a speed not exceeding --40km/h, in the case of an agricultural tractor towing an agricultural trailer 30km/h, in the case of any other tractor towing a trailer, if it is being used in non-agricultural land management operations

What does each class cover?

Class 1 car licence
A holder of a Class 1 learner or restricted licence can drive: a vehicle that has a GLW or GCW of not more than 4500kg (this includes tractors or combination vehicles, but does not include motorcycles) a moped or all-terrain vehicle a motorhome or tradespersons vehicle with a GLW of not more than 6000kg and an on-road weight not exceeding 4500kg.

an agricultural tractor with a GLW of more than 6000 kg but not more than 18,000 kg, or a combination vehicle (consisting of an agricultural tractor and agricultural trailer) with a GCW of not more than 25,000 kg, if the driver holds a special-type vehicle endorsement.

Class 2 medium rigid vehicle

Class 2 is the medium rigid vehicle licence. A holder of a Class 2 learner or full licence can drive: a rigid vehicle with a GLW of more than 6000kg but not more than 18,000kg a combination vehicle (that is not a tractor/trailer combination) with a GCW of 12,000kg or less a combination vehicle consisting of a rigid vehicle (that is not a tractor) with a GLW of not more than 18,000kg towing a light trailer

A holder of a Class 1 restricted licence can also drive: an agricultural tractor that has a GLW of not more than 18,000kg, or a combination vehicle (consisting of an agricultural tractor and agricultural trailer) that has a GCW of not more than 25,000kg, if driven at a speed not exceeding 40km/h.

a rigid vehicle with a GLW of more than 18,000kg that has no more than two axles a tractor with a GLW of more than 6000kg but not more than 18,000kg if driven at speed exceeding 30km/h any vehicle covered in Class 1.

endorsement. (Examples of non-agricultural tractors can be found at airports and wharves). The type of licence you will need to have to drive an agricultural tractor or agricultural motor vehicle will differ depending on the weight of the vehicle and the speed at which it is being driven. See the endorsements section for more information. If you have a valid overseas agricultural motor vehicle licence (eg a UK tractor licence) you may be able to drive some of the same agricultural vehicles as the holder of a Class 1 New Zealand licence. Call our contact centre for further information.

The holder of a full Class 2 can also drive: a special type vehicle that is an agricultural motor vehicle that runs on wheels with a GLW of more than 6000kg but not more than 18,000kg, if driven at a speed not exceeding 40km/h (with or without a W endorsement).

For further information about special type vehicles see the endorsements section below.

Traction engines
A person steering (or directing) a traction engine must hold a New Zealand Class 1 full licence and one of the following: an NZQA unit standard 11157 or an equivalent unit standard, or a qualification issued or certificate of competency granted under the Boilers, Lifts and Cranes Act 1950 that: -- was current immediately before 16 January 2006 and has not been revoked or suspended, and allowed the holder to steer a traction engine, or

Class 3 medium combination

Class 3 is the medium combination vehicle licence. A holder of a Class 3 learner or full licence can drive: a combination vehicle with a GCW of more than 12,000kg but not more than 25,000kg any vehicle covered in classes 1 and 2.

Class 4 heavy rigid

Class 4 is the heavy rigid vehicle licence. A holder of a Class 4 learner or full licence can drive: a rigid vehicle (including any tractor) with a GLW of more than 18,000kg a combination vehicle consisting of a rigid vehicle with a GLW of more than 18,000kg towing a light trailer vehicles covered in classes 1 and 2, but not Class 3.

an equivalent foreign qualification recognised in writing by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA).

A person driving (firing or operating) a traction engines pressure equipment and managing the engines steam pressure levels must hold a New Zealand Class 1 full licence and one of the following: an NZQA unit standard 21754, 21755, or an equivalent unit standard, or a qualification issued or certificate of competency granted under the Boilers, Lifts and Cranes Act 1950 that: -- was current immediately before 16 January 2006 and has not been revoked or suspended, and allowed the holder to fire or operate a traction engines pressure equipment, or

Class 5 heavy combination

Class 5 is the heavy combination vehicle licence. A holder of a Class 5 learner or full licence can drive: a combination vehicle with a GCW of more than 25,000kg vehicles covered by classes 1, 2, 3 and 4.

an equivalent foreign qualification recognised in writing by the NZTA.

Class 6 Motorcycle licence

Class 6 is the motorcycle licence. It includes any motorcycle, moped or all-terrain vehicle.

Endorsements
In addition to holding the correct class of licence for the weight of the vehicle you are operating, you will need an appropriate current endorsement to operate some kinds of vehicles or services. A passenger (P) endorsement is required to transport fare paying passengers (eg bus and taxi drivers). See Factsheet 42, P endorsements for carrying passengers for more information. A vehicle recovery (V) endorsement is required to operate a tow truck. See Factsheet 46, V endorsements for vehicle recovery services for more information. A driving instructor (I) endorsement is required to earn money teaching people to drive. See Factsheet 5, I endorsements: how to become a driving instructor for more information. A testing officer (O) endorsement is required to conduct driving tests. See Factsheet 48, O endorsements: how to become a testing officer for more information.

Other requirements
Trailers and articulated vehicles
Holders of Class 2 and Class 4 licences are permitted to tow light trailers (GLW of not more than 3500kg) behind rigid vehicles of those classes. Dont count the weight of the trailer in any gross combined weight calculations. An articulated special-type vehicle can be driven on a Class 2 or Class 4 licence, depending on its weight. This is because its handling characteristics are determined by it being a special-type vehicle, not because its articulated.

Tractors, agricultural tractors and agricultural motor vehicles

If you want to drive a tractor which is not an agricultural tractor you need to hold the right class of licence for the weight of the tractor. You dont need a W or any other special-type

A dangerous goods (D) endorsement is required to transport dangerous or hazardous goods (eg explosives). See Factsheet 37, D endorsements for carrying dangerous goods for more information. A forklift (F), roller (R) or tracks (T) endorsement is required to operate a forklift or special-type vehicle that runs on rollers or tracks. A Class 1 licence in conjunction with an F/R/T endorsement will permit you to operate the appropriate vehicle with a GLW of not more than 18,000kg. A Class 2 licence in conjunction with an F/R/T endorsement will permit you to operate the appropriate vehicle with a GLW exceeding 18,000kg.

Vehicle weight definitions

Gross weight means the weight of a rigid or combination vehicle, together with any load it is carrying (including equipment and accessories). Gross laden weight (GLW) is the greatest of the following: any weight specified (following the latest modification, if applicable) as a vehicles gross laden weight by the vehicles manufacturer any weight specified as the gross laden weight of a particular vehicle (or a vehicle of its kind) by the NZTA the weight of a vehicle together with any load it is carrying, including any equipment and accessories.

See Factsheet 10, F endorsements for driving forklifts and Factsheet 40, R, T and W endorsements for special-type vehicles for more information. If you have a Class 1 full licence and an F or R or T or W endorsement you can also drive an agricultural tractor of not more than 18,000kg or an agricultural tractor/agricultural trailer combination of not more than 25,000kg. A wheels (W) endorsement is required to operate special-type vehicles that run on wheels. A Class 1 full licence in conjunction with a W endorsement will permit you to operate special-type wheeled vehicles: ---with a GLW not more than 6000kg with a GLW more than 6000kg but not more than 18,000kg if driven at speed not exceeding 30km/h an agricultural motor vehicle with a GLW of more than 6000kg but not more than 18,000kg if driven at a speed not exceeding 40km/h.

Gross combined weight (GCW) is the sum of the gross laden weights of the vehicles that make up a combination vehicle. Tare weight means the weight of the vehicle without any load. On-road weight means the total weight of the vehicle and load at any particular time. Mass means the quantity of material contained in or on that vehicle which, when subjected to acceleration due to gravity, will exert downwards on a level surface a force that can be measured as the weight of the vehicle. Gross vehicle mass (GVM) is the greater of: the mass specified as the gross vehicle mass of a particular vehicle, by the vehicles manufacturer the mass specified as the gross vehicle mass of a particular vehicle (or a vehicle of its kind) by the NZTA.

A Class 2 full licence in conjunction with a W endorsement will permit you to operate special-type wheeled vehicles: --with a GLW of not more than 18,000kg if driven at a speed exceeding 30 km/h with a GLW of more than 18,000kg if driven at speed not exceeding 30km/h.

Light trailer means a trailer with a GLW which does not exceed 3500kg.

Where you can find out more

Email us: info@nzta.govt.nz. Phone our contact centre: 0800 822 422. Write to us: NZ Transport Agency, Palmerston North, Private Bag 11777, Palmerston North 4442.

Note: You do not need a W endorsement to drive a special-type vehicle that is an agricultural motor vehicle that runs on wheels with a GLW of more than 6000 kg but not more than 18,000 kg, at a speed not exceeding 40 km/h. A Class 4 full licence in conjunction with a W endorsement will permit you to operate special-type wheeled vehicles exceeding 18,000kg.

See Factsheet 40, R, T and W endorsements for special-type vehicles for more information.

About factsheets The information in this factsheet is a general guide only. It is not the source of the law and should not be used in place of authoritative legal documents. Some factsheets are updated several times a year and print versions can quickly become out of date. If the currency of the information you are reading is important, check the factsheet index on our website (www.nzta.govt.nz/factsheets/numerical.html) or call us on 0800 822 422.

Contact details Call our contact centre: 0800 822 422. Visit our website: www.nzta.govt.nz. Email us: info@nzta.govt.nz. Write to us: NZ Transport Agency, Private Bag 11777, Palmerston North 4442.

What class do I need for each vehicle type?

Vehicle type Light motor vehicle/light motor vehicle with light trailer Motorhome /self-propelled caravan / tradespersons vehicle Weight and/or speed restriction

Licence class 1L/1R 1F 1L/1R 1F 1L/1R 1F

Not more than 4500kg Not more than 6000kg GLW of not more than 6000kg and an on-road weight of not more than 4500kg GLW of not more than 6000kg and an on-road weight of not more than 6000kg Not more than 4500kg Not more than 6000kg Not more than 18,000kg and driven at a speed not exceeding 30km/h Not more than 18,000kg and driven at a speed exceeding 30km/h Not more than 4500kg Not more than 6000kg Not more than 25,000kg, being used in non-agricultural land management operations and driven at a speed not exceeding 30km/h Not more than 18,000kg and driven at a speed not exceeding 40km/h Not more than 25,000kg and driven at a speed not exceeding 40km/h Not more than 18,000kg and driven at a speed not exceeding 40km/h

Non-agricultural tractor

or

2L/2F 1L/1R 1F

Non-agricultural tractor/trailer combination

or

Agricultural tractor Agricultural tractor with agricultural trailer Agricultural motor vehicle which runs on wheels (and is not a tractor)

1R or 1F* 1R or 1F* 1F & W or 2F 2L/2F 2F 2L/2F 3L/3F 5L/5F 1F** 2F** 1F** 2F** 1F** 2F** 2F** 1L/6L 6L/6R 6F

Note: a W endorsement is not required with a 2F Rigid vehicle (truck) or rigid vehicle with light trailer Rigid vehicle with no more than two axles Combination vehicle

Vehicle weight not more than 18,000kg (excluding the weight of any light trailer) More than 18,000kg Not more than 12,000kg Not more than 25,000kg More than 25,000kg Not more than 18,000kg More than 18,000kg Not more than 18,000kg More than 18,000kg Not more than 6000kg Not more than 18,000kg if driven at a speed exceeding 30km/h More than 18,000kg if driven at a speed not exceeding 30km/h

Forklift Special vehicle which runs on tracks or rollers Special vehicle which runs on wheels

Moped or ATV LAMS approved motorcycle Any motorcycle *If you hold a 1F and an F or R or T or W endorsement you can exceed 40km/h **Appropriate endorsement must also be held T (tracks) or R (rollers)