Factsheet 37 – May 2008

D endorsements for carrying dangerous goods

If you're transporting dangerous goods, you usually need to have a dangerous goods (D) endorsement on your driver licence.

A lot depends on what you're transporting, how much of it and under what circumstances.

• If you're transporting dangerous goods for hire or reward (eg if you're a transport operator), you will need a D endorsement, except for 'small packages' of dangerous goods (up to 50 kg).
• If you're transporting dangerous goods as tools-of-trade and the quantities are under the limits in schedule 1 of Land Transport Rule: Dangerous Goods 2005, you don't need a D endorsement.
• If you're transporting dangerous goods as tools-of-trade in quantities that are over the limits in schedule 1, you will need a D endorsement.
• If you're transporting dangerous goods for domestic or recreational purposes, you don't need a D endorsement.

For more information, read:

• Factsheet 67, Dangerous goods carried by transport service operators
• Factsheet 68, Dangerous goods transported as tools-of-trade
• Factsheet 69, Dangerous goods transported for domestic or recreational use
• section 9 of Land Transport Rule: Dangerous Goods 2005.

Note: you must have the correct class of driver licence. If you transport dangerous goods in a heavy vehicle, see Factsheet 70, Heavy vehicle driver licences.

If you're not sure whether you need a D endorsement, phone our driver licensing contact centre on 0800 822 422 or contact your nearest NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) office.

First, complete a course

You'll need to provide a course certificate as evidence that you've successfully completed an approved course that teaches specialist knowledge and skills relating to the transport of dangerous goods. For a course provider near you, check this listing of course providers on our website, or phone the driver licensing contact centre on 0800 822 422.

Please note that you can't carry dangerous goods just because you've got the course certificate. The endorsement must be on your driver licence.

Next, apply for the endorsement

You can apply for a D endorsement at your nearest NZTA driver licensing agent (selected branches of the Automobile Association, Vehicle Testing New Zealand and Vehicle Inspection New Zealand).

You need to bring:

• a completed DL19 application form
• evidence of your identity (eg your current driver licence)
• evidence of your name and address (eg a recent bill or an account statement)
• a certificate showing you have successfully completed an appropriate and approved course (if renewing your D endorsement, this course certificate must be no more than 60 days old)
• a cheque, cash or EFTPOS card to pay the $37.20 application fee.

Please note that the D endorsement will be valid for up to five years. (The expiry date of your endorsement will be on the back of your driver licence.) To renew the endorsement, you'll have to complete another course (to stay up to date with any developments or changes) and apply again.

Eyesight requirements

You must prove that your eyesight meets the required standard. To do this, you can:

• present a satisfactory eyesight certificate issued by a New Zealand-registered optometrist (this certificate must be no more than 60 days old)
• present a satisfactory medical certificate issued by a New Zealand-registered medical practitioner (this certificate must not be more than 60 days old)
• pass an eyesight screening check at a driver licensing agent.

Note: the agents' eyesight screening machines eliminate the need for many drivers to be tested by an optometrist or medical practitioner. However, if you don't pass the screening check, then you must provide one of the certificates listed before your application can proceed. Some drivers choose to provide a certificate instead of taking a screening check.

Where you can find out more

• Email us: info@nzta.govt.nz.
• Call our driver licensing contact centre: 0800 822 422.
• Write to us: NZ Transport Agency, Private Bag 6995, Wellington 6141.

Quantity limits - Copy of Schedule 1 from Land Transport Rule: Dangerous Goods 2005