As soon as you apply or call us, we’ll set the process in motion to get you back behind the wheel and back to work as soon as possible.
Few businesses are designed to deal with life's major problems and resolve them efficiently for their customers. But when they are dealing with people in that space, you have to believe that there will be people angry with the authority (Police or Court) that imposed the restriction, and suspended or disqualified them from driving, just like they may have an issue with the way the Police officer that ticketed them spoke to them, or the way they may have been flippant, rude or unhelpful. Thankfully we do not hear this very often about Police or Court or VTNZ staff. There will always be exceptions in any workforce.
That said, with every issue, there is a right way and a wrong way to deal with things. We try our best to resolve all suspensions with Police, the NZTA, Disqualifications with the Courts and the applicant and driver as efficiently and effectively as possible. From time to time we have customers that do not want to hear what we have to tell them, refuse to listen even when we are directly only talking to them and the issue is only about their own drivers licence, which therefore benefits only them and it is being suspended or disqualified. We have calls coming in constantly and we are always ringing people back to address their documentation, situations, alterations or changes they need to have made.
However we have to draw the line, we are people, and the matters and issues we resolve for our customers are legal and bound by laws that mean things must be done a certain way. Those ways are usually locked by laws and are mandatory. This can mean that some might think they are being hard done by or being prevented from doing something they want to do.
If we are faced with abuse, swearing etc, in any verbal or written communication, or a level of entitlement in any respect relating to the attitude of the applicant, or their situation (or anyone ringing us on the applicant's behalf).
If any applicant refers to Police as "pigs" or chooses to use any other derogatory name, If any applicant addresses us as "mate", "bro", "dude", "my bad" or uses any other form of language that is degrading, insulting or abusive, we will then absolutely terminate the call, and cancel the application for that applicant.
We do not, and we have no time to, nor any interest in, entering into discussions about what was said or why. All our calls are recorded and we don't have to be abused twice to understand what happened and took place.
With Covid effecting the jobs, lives, incomes, businesses, relationships and health of the entire world – we are painfully aware exactly how much pressure there is on people. Many individuals are mature and able to be polite, and that enables us to get things done alot easier and effectively and some are simply so completely entitled that they are incapable of being respectful with anyone and things go south rapidly.
We set up this business to help people so please allow us to help you by having a little patience and we will get you through this.
Every driver qualifies for their driver's licence when they are determined to have the knowledge, skills and judgement to make driving decisions that will ensure the safety of themselves, their passengers and most importantly, all other road users.
When drivers are suspended for demerit points, or worse – disqualified for a criminal driving offence, Police and the court will spell out to the driver the enormous penalties that will come next - in the event that the suspended and disqualified driver believes they are entitled enough to ignore the Police, NZTA, Land Transport Act and ultimately the District Court and the Judge.
We are astonished when we hear that a driver who we are working on a Limited Licence application for, has somehow decided it was a better idea to just drive, before they have the documents or before they file those in court. How many times do adults have to be told. Don't drive Suspended or Disqualified.
We share the complete lack of any interest in drivers that drive while disqualified or drive while suspended. We, are all given the same opportunity when we qualify for a Drivers Licence, only some choose to attempt to enforce their extreme level of entitlement on the rest the road users of New Zealand. Drivers that drive while disqualified, or drive while suspended – fully deserve their criminal conviction, and the massive subsequent fines and further disqualification and ultimately prison time that follows.
In Timaru in 2021 a 19 year old driver killed 5 of his friends when his driving resulted in an accident that cut the vehicle he was driving, in half.
He was a driver who had qualified for his restricted licence 2 days earlier. With a "Restricted Licence" and therefore had a Zero Alcohol Limit, he had a BAC (Blood Alcohol Reading) of 50 (the criminal conviction limit for an adult BAC is 80). He was on a zero passenger Licence and had five passengers, with one passenger in the boot of the vehicle. He was speeding travelling at 115km/h in a 50 km/h zone.
Yesterday the Timaru District Court Judge sentenced him to 2 1/2 years prison. Here is the story.
We had nothing to do with this driver and his actions however we understand the enormous ethical weight we hold in providing a pathway for drivers to obtain a Limited Licence in court. We do not think Restricted Drivers with alcohol convictions so early in their driving careers should be eligible at all for a Limited Licence, when they clearly have quite soft restrictions on their driving licences anyway, and yet they still can't seem to handle even those.
Our Policy is now – that we will not support drivers aged under 20 or on restricted Licences with any form of EBA (Excess Breath Alcohol reading) looking to obtain a Limited Licence in any District Court in NZ.
We know that in order to solve a problem you first must identify the issue and then make your mind up to be determined to solve the problem or issue for the benefit of yourself, your children, your partner, your job, your business and everyone you come into contact with.
Here is a list of ways in which you can get help throughout New Zealand.
We are happy to talk to you if you want to help a loved one or if you feel that you need help. Also if you have been helped by an organisation in New Zealand and you want them to help more people - let us know who they are and we will contact them and put them on this list.
Blowing an EBA (Excess Breath Alcohol) well in excess of the legal maximum limit of 800 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath is a major issue and a serious matter.It’s a clear sign of significant issues with alcohol management that need urgent attention. It also indicates an issue with the judgement of the driver, as being under the influence at a rate above 800 mcg/L means they would have difficulty walking, slurred speech, impaired vision, delayed reflexes, offset hand/eye coordination and timing responses.
The largest EBA on record was recorded in 2024. 36 year old Female. Read here.
They would of course be aware of all of those issues when they put their keys in the door of a vehicle.
Globally it is known as the mark that collects massive sentences in Courts from other countries. In New Zealand it instantly means a mandatory 12 month Interlock Sentence plus a large Court Fine and a Sentence of 4 years – Zero Alcohol Licence. As you may be aware, despite raising energy levels initially for a short time, Alcohol is a depressant, and impaires judgement, perception and reaction times, meaning that, on the day of the offence, the driver may not have fully recognised the lethal danger they posed to themself and others on the road.
However, the Police, NZTA and the Court certainly are in no doubt about that lethality and the threat it carries. Alcohol is present in the blood of 80% of all Fatal Accidents on NZ roads. A lot of drivers we deal with, tell us that “this is a first offence” (despite the high level) and they know nothing about how “it all” works. This may well be correct however it is seen by Police, and the Court as a way to minimise responsibility.
Minimising Responsibility
By asserting that this is their first offence, drivers suggest that their behaviour isn’t habitual or intentional. They frame the incident as an isolated mistake rather than a deliberate or reckless choice. Pleading ignorance about the process reinforces this by implying they didn’t fully understand the consequences or the law, which can make their actions seem less culpable. This is really the thinking that has to be understood and fully avoided. Facing disqualification from driving due to a high level EBA charge is a wake-up call to take responsibility and make positive changes for yourself and others that depend on you, employers, and your family.
By acting quickly to seek help and get organized, you can:
Support yourself / Make positive and lasting change
Your EBA reading highlights the need for immediate help to address underlying issues that have manifested themselves in alcohol problems, improving your safety and well-being, and the safety of others.
Show the Court you are proactiveTaking proactive steps allows you to start the process in regaining control in your life and shows to the court that immediate action has been taken, and you’re serious about solving these issues, rather than waiting passively in denial, for your sentence. This can potentially influence the Courts’ perception of your case and sentencing.Here’s how you can start taking control of your situation right now.
Steps to Take Immediately
Below is a list of actions you should begin as soon as possible. While they’re presented in a suggested order, you can start with whichever is most accessible to you and work on multiple steps at the same time.
The key is to act now – NOW => No Opportunity Wasted
Often people make bad decisions without even considering that the steps that they have taken were even a decision at all. Their life, stress, history, work and money pressures, all culminate and accumulate to remove the need to do hard work by sorting out what the real issues are. Alcohol is an easy, cheap and fast way to hide “the problem” for a while. For a while is the key issue. Alcohol masks the issue, defers dealing with things and numbs the problem. So you can live without it.
Resistance means the Value is worthwhile
Quite often those that push back against positive change the hardest, are the ones that really need that change the most. Their subconscious and body inherantly knows that even approaching let alone dealing with, thier demons will be painful, possibly agony, and for some their worst nightmare. The fear is real. Their history is real. The events were real and the pain of resolving them means reliving them and that is terrifying. Believe me, we know. Only through professional direct action can real psychological issues be uncovered, worked through, understood and resolved.
Life is Problems. Living is solving them.
Additional Tips and Resources
Explore Local Options: Contact community centres or health clinics in your area to see if they offer additional support groups, counselling, or programs tailored to your needs. Local resources can complement the steps above.
Document Your Efforts: Keep a record of everything you do – dates of meetings, appointments, and course completions. Bring these records to court to show your proactive approach.
Start Concurrently: Don’t wait to finish one step before starting another. For example, while awaiting your GP appointment, attend a Man-Alive or AA meeting and research defensive driving courses.
Why This Matters
Taking these steps isn’t just about preparing for court – it’s about taking charge of your life. Addressing your alcohol issues now can prevent further harm to yourself and others, while showing the court that you’re not sitting idly by. It’s a powerful statement of accountability and a step toward a healthier, safer future. Seeking help is a sign of strength, and every action you take brings you closer to recovery.
Take a look at Canada and their Excess Breath Alcohol laws.
Canada uses intermittent sentencing. This means if you are sentenced to a specific sentence you go to Intermittant. This means you arrive at Prison Friday for the weekend, then on Moday morning you get let back out and can go to work. This means for 26 weekends, you are in prison. Missing every birthday, every weekend, every sports game and every family event for six months. New Zealand Police prosecutors would love to see this brought into the NZ sentencing system.
Take a look at China and how they view Excess Breath Alcohol
Having an accident in China, and the Police breath test you for a positive EBA, they generally aren't very concerned what you blew. It is generally accepted that "alcohol" was present. Then there is an incredibly fast court process that might be same dyor following day and you will not be found no guilty. Then you go to prison. If someone was injured in the accident, you can expect to not see daylight for 5 years easily.
