Yes, holding a full New Zealand driver licence allows you to drive a wide range of standard vehicles, but it does not permit you to drive "any" car. The key restrictions involve vehicle class, weight, and specific licence conditions. Your full licence, typically a Class 1, authorizes you to operate vehicles like standard cars, vans, and utes.
The main limitations come into play with larger or specialized vehicles. For instance, you generally cannot drive vehicles that require a different licence class, such as heavy trucks (Class 2, 3, 4, 5), motorcycles (Class 6), or passenger service vehicles like buses. There are also restrictions based on the vehicle's gross laden weight (GLW) and the number of passengers.
Here is a quick reference for common vehicle types and their licence requirements in NZ:
| Vehicle Type | Example Models | Typical Licence Class Required | Key Restrictions for Full Class 1 Licence |
|---|
| Standard Passenger Car | Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus | Class 1 (Full) | Permitted. |
| Light Van or Ute | Toyota Hiace, Ford Ranger | Class 1 (Full) | Permitted if GLW is 4,500 kg or less. |
| Small Bus (e.g., shuttle) | Mercedes Sprinter van | Class 1 (Full) | Permitted if seats 12 or fewer people (including driver). |
| Medium Truck | Mitsubishi Fuso Canter | Class 2 | Not permitted on a Class 1 licence. |
| Large Bus (public transport) | – | Class 4 or 5 | Not permitted on a Class 1 licence. |
| Motorcycle | Any make/model | Class 6 | Not permitted; requires a separate motorcycle licence. |
Beyond vehicle class, your licence has conditions. If your licence is marked with an automatic transmission condition (often applied if you took your test in an automatic car), you are legally restricted to driving only automatic vehicles. Driving a manual transmission car with this condition would be a violation.
Always check the specific conditions listed on the back of your plastic licence card and ensure the vehicle you intend to drive falls within the legal weight and seating capacity limits for a Class 1 licence.
