Classes of driver licence

To drive a car you will need to get a Class 1 licence, but there are actually six classes of licence in New Zealand. Each class covers different types and weights of vehicle. That's because the skills you need to drive a car are different from the skills you need to drive a heavy vehicle or motorcycle.

You can apply for a Class 6 (motorcycle) licence or a Class 1 (car) licence without holding any other class of licence. But if you want a class 2, 3, 4 or 5 licence, you will need to get a full Class 1 licence first.

Class 1 – Car

• a vehicle that has a gross laden weight (GLW) or a gross combined weight (GCW) of not more than 4500kg (this includes tractors or combination vehicles, but does not include motorcycles)
• a moped or all-terrain vehicle
• any motorhome or tradeperson’s vehicle with a GLW of not more than 6000kg and an on-road weight not exceeding 4500kg.
  
• A holder of a restricted Class 1 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) with a GCW of not more than 25,000kg if driven at a speed not exceeding 40km/h.
  
• A holder of a Class 1 full licence can drive:

A Class 1 full licence with a T endorsement will permit you to operate a special-type vehicle that runs on tracks with a GLW of not more than 18000kg.

• 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:
• 40km/h, if the vehicle is an agricultural motor vehicle
• 30km/h for any other special-type wheeled vehicle.A Class 1 full licence with an F, R, T or W endorsement will permit you to operate:

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 (including any tractor) 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 not more than 12,000kg
• a combination vehicle (that is not a tractor) consisting of a rigid vehicle with a GLW of not more than 18,000kg towing a light trailer (GLW of not more than 3500kg)
• a rigid vehicle with a GLW of more than 18,000kg that has no more than two axles
• a vehicle covered in Class 1
• a tractor with a GLW of more than 6000kg but not more than 18,000kg, if driven at a speed over 30km/h.In addition, a holder of a full Class 2 licence can drive:
• any rigid vehicle with a GLW of more than 6000kg but not more than 18,000kg
• any combination vehicle (that is not a tractor/trailer combination) with a GCW of not more than 12,000kg
• 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 (GLW of not more than 3500kg)
• 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 a speed exceeding 30km/h
• any vehicle covered in Class 1.

A Class 2 full licence with an F endorsement will permit you to operate a forklift with a GLW exceeding 18,000kg.

A Class 2 full licence with an R endorsement will permit you to operate a special-type vehicle that runs on rollers with a GLW exceeding 18,000kg.

A Class 2 full licence with a T endorsement will permit you to operate a special-type vehicle that runs on tracks with a GLW exceeding 18,000kg.

A Class 2 full licence 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 30km/h
• with a GLW of more than 18,000kg if driven at speed not exceeding 30km/h.

Class 3 – Medium combination vehicle

• a combination vehicle a GCW of more than 12,000kg but not more than 25,000kg
• any vehicle covered in classes 1 & 2.

Class 4 – Heavy rigid vehicle

• 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 & 2, but not Class 3.
• A Class 4 full licence with a W endorsement will permit you to operate a special-type wheeled vehicle* with a GLW exceeding 18,000kg.

Class 5 – Heavy combination vehicle

• a combination vehicle with a GCW of more than 25,000kg
• vehicles covered in classes 1,2, 3 & 4.

Class 6 – Motorcycle

Class 6 is the motorcycle licence. The holder of a Class 6 learner or restricted licence can ride a LAMS-approved motorcycle or any moped or all-terrain vehicle.

The holder of a Class 6 full licence can ride any motorcycle, moped or all-terrain vehicle.

Once you have passed your learners theory test your ready to Book Driving Lessons with a Professional Driving Instructor.

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