P endorsements for carrying passengers

Who needs a P endorsement?

People who hold a passenger endorsement (P endorsement) usually drive buses, shuttles or taxis, but some other drivers need a P endorsement too.

There are some exceptions to this. If you're not sure whether you need a P endorsement, phone the Driver Licensing Call Centre on 0800 822 422 

How to get a P endorsement

First, complete a Land Based Training DG Course

To get a P endorsement you must hold, and have held for at least two years, a full Class 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 driver licence. (Holding an equivalent overseas licence will not meet this requirement.)

Note: If you're planning to drive a heavy vehicle in a passenger service, you must also ensure you have the right class of driver licence. See  Heavy vehicle driver licences: Class 2, 3, 4 and 5 driver licences for more information.

 This 1 day theory course covers unit standard 17579:

You'll will be provided with a certificate showing that you've successfully completed Land Based Trainings approved passenger endorsement course to take with you to get the P endorsement on your driver licence.

Land Based Training's Course fee is $200 per person with a minimum of 10 students on the course.  Book at our office for the next course in your area on 0508 872 466

What else you have to do

You can't drive a passenger service vehicle on the road just because you've got the course certificate. You must successfully complete the application process and get the P endorsement on your driver licence.

The application form for a P endorsement is DL 20. If you're going to be driving a small passenger service vehicle, the form will ask you to provide a unique identifier for your driver ID card. A unique identifier is a 'password' of up to eight characters that can be easily remembered.

To drive a taxi you must also hold an area knowledge certificate. 

How to apply for a P endorsement

You can apply for a P endorsement at your nearest office of the Automobile Association, Vehicle Testing New Zealand, Vehicle Inspection New Zealand and On Road New Zealand

You'll need:

Options when you apply

You may not want to complete the required course until you've passed the 'fit and proper person' check.

When you put your application in, you can either:

Questions and answers

Fees for a P endorsement

Land Based Training's Course fee is $200 per person with a minimum of 10 students on the course.  Book at our office for the next course in your area on 0508 872 466

The table below sets out the fees for a P endorsement, which can be issued for one or five years required by the agent (AA etc).

The fees only apply to new endorsements.

** If you drive a large passenger service vehicle only, you only pay the vetting fee once every five years.

Where you can find out more

Passenger service vehicles

Passenger service vehicles (PSVs) are:

PSVs are vehicles used in an operation where carrying passengers is an integral part of the business. The most obvious passenger service vehicles are buses, taxis and shuttles.

Rental vehicles are PSVs only if they have more than 12 seating positions, or if they’re hired by a passenger service licence holder to operate as a PSV.

What is a passenger service?

Passenger service is defined in the Transport Services Licensing Act 1989. It means carrying passengers in a motor vehicle for hire or reward. It includes situations where the vehicle is hired out and a driver is provided.

The definition of passenger service also includes carrying passengers in a vehicle that can carry more than 12 people, including the driver, whether you’re carrying those passengers for hire or reward or not.

Please note that the definition of a passenger service doesn’t include any service exempt from requiring a Transport Service Licence under the Transport Services Licensing Act 1989.

The PSV Rule

All passenger service vehicles have to meet the requirements of Land Transport Rule: Passenger Service Vehicles 1999 ('the PSV Rule'). It covers the design, construction and maintenance of all passenger service vehicles in New Zealand.

The purpose of the Rule is to ensure that all PSVs meet general safety requirements and vehicle standards. It covers in some detail, for example, emergency exit requirements and measures to prevent overloading. The PSV Rule has been in force since 1 September 1999.

The PSV Rule covers both light PSVs (those with a gross vehicle mass of 3,500 kg or less) and heavy PSVs (ie, those with a gross vehicle mass over 3,500 kg).

The Rule specifies the legal requirements for PSV design and construction (eg structural strength and roll-over protection, audible reversing alarms, and safety requirements for special equipment such as wheel chair hoists and ramps).

If you want to operate a passenger service vehicle, we strongly recommend you read the PSV Rule. If you don’t read it, you may face some unexpected requirements — and therefore expenses. Printed copies of the Rule are available in some libraries and in bookstores that sell legislation.

Certificates of fitness

PSVs have to be inspected to make sure they meet the requirements of the PSV Rule before they can be registered. The initial inspection to make sure the vehicle is up to the required level of safety before it can be registered is called certification, and the on-going regular checks are certificate of fitness inspections. All PSVs must have a certificate of fitness.

Land Transport New Zealand has appointed Transport Service Delivery Agents (TSDAs) to carry out certification for registration and certificate of fitness inspections. The agents are:

When the vehicle is inspected it must meet two sets of requirements. The first are the vehicle standard and other safety requirements that apply to any vehicle of its class. The second are the requirements in the PSV Rule.

If you want to start using your own vehicle as a taxi it will already be registered, but it will still have to undergo a Change of Use certification. The vehicle will also need to meet certificate of fitness and PSV Rule requirements.

The PSV Rule includes some requirements for specialist certification. For instance the roll-over strength requirement and the safety of any equipment for people with special mobility needs must be checked by specialist certifiers appointed by the Director of Land Transport.

Operating a passenger service

Please note that if you want to operate a passenger service, making sure your vehicle complies with the PSV Rule is just one part of the process. In the interests of public safety there are requirements for the vehicle, and a range of different requirements for you, too.

You’ll need to complete at least one approved course in order to get a passenger endorsement on your driver licence (a P-endorsement). You’ll probably need to obtain a Transport Service Licence as well.

You will need to read:

Regional offices of Land Transport New Zealand have information kits on Transport Service Licences, too.

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