Driving a Bus
At least then you can safely say you have had some experience on NZ’s gnarly roads. Even if you don’t intend carrying passengers in your bus, you must have what is called a “P endorsement” on your licence.
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.)
You must complete an approved driver training course from an accredited training provider to obtain a certificate which is required before you can sit your licence. Note that just because you have this certificate, it does not yet mean you can drive on the roads legally. You need the licence to do this.
Once you’ve applied for your licence, you’ll need to complete a practical driving test. The exception is you’ve passed a full licence test for class 1 (light motor vehicles) or class 6 (motorcycles) in the five years prior to applying.
You’ll need to provide a recent medical certificate from a registered practitioner before you can get your P endorsement.
As I understand it, the P endorsement is required only if you are carrying passengers for reward, or carrying over 11 passengers under any circumstances. This allows any Joe Bloggs with only a standard car license to rent a minibus with 12 seats and drive it full of passengers, provided they are not paying him to do so. Essentially, you cannot drive even one passenger anywhere if they are paying you for that service – a P endorsement would be required under those circumstances.
Steve, that is almost correct. A P endorsement is only required for a vehicle that is registered to carry passengers for hire or reward.
The catch is that unless your bus, or any heavy vehicle for that matter (can’t remember the weight threshold) is registered as a motorhome, then the registered owner must hold a goods and service licence, or passenger services licence (different to a P endorsement), before they can get a COF.
Just been looking on the Land transport website and going by that the P endorsment is only for drivers that are charging or for hire carrying passengers. http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/factsheets/42/p-endorsements.html
which contradicts the info above !?
The option of using a vehicle larger than class one for the P endorsement practical test is not allowed!
When I sat my P endorsement, I was surprised to be given the option of doing the practical test in either a car (class 1) or on a motorbike (class 6). The reason it surprised me is that I hold a class 5 licence so would be able to operate any sized bus on the P endorsement (I sat both small and large passenger). Not to mention the fact that I have yet to se a commercial two wheeled motorcycle used as a commercial passenger vehicle in NZ.