Where vehicle recovery endorsement requirements apply
Generally you need a vehicle recovery endorsement where you provide a towing service for a reward of some form.
This requirement doesn’t apply to:
- towing or carrying a motorcycle or moped
- towing or carrying your own vehicle
- towing or carrying of one motor vehicle without reward, when the towing or carrying vehicle is not designed or adapted for this purpose.
- towing of disabled vehicles using a rope or flat tow by someone contracted by an insurance company or employed by a garage or workshop.
There are other exceptions, including towing undertaken by the NZ Defence Force.
Getting a V endorsement
- You must hold a current full New Zealand licence for each type of vehicle you want to drive as a vehicle recovery vehicle.
- You must have held each of those licences for at least two years
- You must pass the full car (Class 1) driver licence test - unless you have passed this test within the last 5 years.
- You must successfully complete an approved vehicle recovery endorsement course.
As part of the V endorsement application process, you'll also have to undergo a 'fit and proper person' check, where we check for and consider aspects such as any transport-related offences, complaints and serious convictions. Find out more about the check and other requirements of the V endorsement application process.
Anyone operating a vehicle recovery service must hold a current transport service licence. What does this involve?
