Driver licence classes

Class 1 - car licence

A holder of a Class 1 learner, restricted or full licence can drive:

a vehicle that has a GLW or GCW of 4500 kg or less (this includes tractors or combinations of vehicles, but does not include motorcycles)
a moped or all-terrain vehicle
any campervan or tradeperson's vehicle with a GLW of 6000 kg or less and an on-road weight not exceeding 4500 kg.

Note: a tradeperson’s vehicle means a motor vehicle that has a body designed or adapted for use principally by tradepersons to carry special-purpose trade equipment or trade goods (excluding general freight).

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:

any rigid vehicle (including any tractor) with a GLW of more than 4500 kg but less than 18,001 kg
any combination vehicle with a GCW of 12,000 kg or less
any combination vehicle consisting of a rigid vehicle with a GLW of 18,000 kg or less towing a light trailer (GLW of 3500 kg or less)
any rigid vehicle with a GLW of more than 18,000 kg that has no more than two axles
any vehicle covered in Class 1.

Class 3 - medium combination

Class 3 is the medium combination vehicle licence. A holder of a Class 3 learner or full licence can drive:

any combination vehicle with a GCW of more than 12,000 kg but less than 25,001 kg
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:

any rigid vehicle (including any tractor) with a GLW of more than 18,000 kg
any combination vehicle consisting of a rigid vehicle with a GLW of more than 18,000 kg towing a light trailer (GLW of 3500 kg or less)
vehicles covered in classes 1 and 2, but not Class 3.

Class 5 - heavy combination

Class 5 is the heavy combination vehicle licence. A holder of a Class 5 learner or full licence can drive:

any combination vehicle with a GCW of more than 25,000 kg
vehicles covered by classes 1, 2, 3 and 4.

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 a 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 for more information.

A vehicle recovery (V) endorsement is required to operate a tow truck. See Factsheet 46 for more information.

A driving instructor (I) endorsement is required to earn money teaching people to drive. See Factsheet 5 for more information.

A testing officer (O) endorsement is required to conduct driving tests. See Factsheet 48 for more information.

A dangerous goods (D) endorsement is required to transport dangerous or hazardous goods (eg explosives). See Factsheet 37 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 18,000 kg or less.
A Class 2 licence in conjunction with an F/R/T endorsement will permit you to operate the appropriate vehicle with a GLW exceeding 18,000 kg.

See Factsheet 10 and Factsheet 40 for more information.

A wheels (W) endorsement is required to operate special-type vehicles that run on wheels.

A class 1 licence in conjunction with a W endorsement will permit you to operate special-type wheeled vehicles:
- with a GLW not more than 4500 kg
- with a GLW more than 4500 kg but less than 18,001 kg if operated at less than 30 km/h.
A class 2 licence in conjunction with a W endorsement will permit you to operate special-type wheeled vehicles:
- with a GLW less than 18.001 kg
- with a GLW more than 18,000 kg if operated at less than 30 km/h.
A class 4 licence in conjunction with a W endorsement will permit you to operate special-type wheeled vehicles exceeding 18,000 kg.

See Factsheet 40 for more information.

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 vehicle's gross laden weight by the vehicle's manufacturer
any weight specified as the gross laden weight of a particular vehicle (or a vehicle of its kind) by the Director of Land Transport
the weight of a vehicle together with any load it is carrying, including any equipment and accessories.

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 vehicle's manufacturer
the mass specified as the gross vehicle mass of a particular vehicle (or a vehicle of its kind) by the Director of Land Transport.