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Factsheet 42 - December 2005
Requirements for P endorsements
Medical certificate
You need to present a medical certificate for a P endorsement if:
- you haven't submitted a medical certificate for classes 2 to 5 or endorsements P, V, I or O in the last five years
- you've developed a medical condition that could adversely affect your ability to drive safely, or a condition has worsened
- you are requested to by Land Transport New Zealand (regardless of when you last presented a medical certificate).
A medical certificate must be from a registered medical practitioner and dated no more than 60 days before the date of your application.
Eyesight check
You'll be asked to have an eyesight screening test as part of your application. You must pass this check, or present a satisfactory eyesight certificate from a registered medical practitioner or a registered optometrist. An eyesight certificate must not be more than 60 days old.
Practical driving test
As part of gaining your P endorsement, you must sit the full licence practical driving test.
This test isn't required if you've passed a full licence test for class 1 (light motor vehicles) or class 6 (motorcycles) in the five years prior to applying.
The test is a one-hour, on the road, driving test. It's designed to assess how safely you drive.
'Fit and proper person' check
Your application will be sent to the nearest Land Transport New Zealand regional office for a 'fit and proper person' check to be undertaken. The person who carries out the check considers any:
- transport-related offences, especially relating to safety
- history of mental health or behavioural problems
- past complaints about a transport service you may have operated
- history of persistent failure to pay fines for transport-related offences
- criminal convictions (in New Zealand or overseas), including charges or convictions relating to violent or sexual offences, drug or firearms offences, or offences involving organised criminal activity
- serious convictions. From 16 January 2006, persons convicted of specified serious offences on, before or after that date will be prohibited from holding or applying for a passenger endorsement. The specified serious offences are
- murder
- a sexual crime under Part VII of the Crimes Act 1961 that is punishable by seven or more years' imprisonment, including sections 144A and 144C
- crimes under any of the following sections of the Crimes Act 1961: 173, 174, 175, 176, 188, 189(1), 191, 198, 199, 200(1), 201, 208, 209, 210, 234, 235 and 236
- any offence committed outside New Zealand that, if committed within New Zealand, would constitute one of the above offences.
Read a detailed list of offences in section 29A of the Land Transport Amendment Act 2005 (on the Knowledge Basket website).
Read a detailed list of offences under sections 144A and 144C of the Crimes Act 1961 (on the Knowledge Basket website).
Reinstatement
From 16 January 2006, there will be provisions for the reinstatement of a P endorsement where a person has any of the convictions above (apart from murder or a sexual crime under Part VII of the Crimes Act). If you need more information on reinstatement, use the contacts at the end of this factsheet.
Read more about reinstatement in section 29B of the Land Transport Amendment Act 2005 (on the Knowledge Basket website).
Any other information that is in the interests of public safety can also be taken into account.
Checking for overseas criminal convictions may delay your application. If you have any related documents (eg, an overseas criminal history report), please include them with your application.
If you're not a New Zealand citizen or don't hold a resident's permit, you may need a work permit or some other temporary permit to show that you can work in New Zealand.
If you have any concerns about the 'fit and proper person' check, contact a compliance officer at your Land Transport New Zealand regional office.
Not cleared
If you're not cleared by the 'fit and proper person' check, you'll be sent a letter explaining why. If you're not satisfied with the decision you can appeal to a District Court (under section 106, Land Transport Act 1998).
Cleared
If you meet the 'fit and proper person' requirements you'll be sent a Notice of Determination (valid for 90 days). Show the notice to the driver licensing agent when you go to complete your application. (If the notice expires before you finish the relevant courses or tests, call the helpdesk or your regional office.)
Fee for the 'fit and proper person' check
The fee for the 'fit and proper person' check is called a vetting fee. If you've already been through the check (eg, you hold a current V-, I- or O-endorsement), you won't be charged for it again until you renew your endorsements.