Vehicle Training Intro

Before You Start Driving One of Our Vehicles

Driver’s Licence Requirements

To drive any Wanderlust company vehicle, you’ll need to have a full driver’s licence. If your licence isn’t in English, don’t worry—just make sure you have an International Driver’s Permit with you, as this is required by law in New Zealand.

You also require a ‘P’ Passenger Endorsement. You can click here for more details on New Zealand’s driver’s licence requirements from the NZ Transport Agency. Typically, it takes about four weeks for a P endorsement to be approved. You do not require a PSL (Passenger Service Licence) to drive for the company. Wanderlust holds the PSL for the company, all its vehicles and drivers.

For our buses & coaches, your standard driver’s licence will be all you need to drive them!  

Driving in New Zealand

Here are a few things to keep in mind when driving in New Zealand:

• We drive on the left-hand side of the road.
• Speed limits are measured in kilometres per hour (kph). Usually, it’s 50 kph (30 mph) in towns and cities, and 100 kph (61 mph) on the open road—unless a sign says otherwise. 
• Around downtown Wellington note that the speed limit is mostly 30 kph.
• Seat belts are a must for both drivers and passengers at all times.

Company vehicles

Company vehicles can only be used for contracted services, not personal use. Any fines and infringements issued while driving are the responsibility of the driver (unless the resulting infringement is as the result of a specific directive of the company)

Insurance and indemnity

The company's insurance should cover almost all circumstances, although drivers should not act negligently in driving company vehicles so as to lead to an insurance claim not being made for damage to a company vehicle.

Training in company vehicles

Some of our guides are already experienced commercial drivers (of buses, trucks etc). However, if you are new to driving buses (used for most tours) and vans (the vehicles used for Seal Coast Safaris), don't worry as you will be given full training by management and other experienced guides. Training will be customised to your specific experience and needs. Be assured that you will not be asked to drive a vehicle with paying customers until you are comfortable to do so.

Log books

The NZTA requires that everyone providing transport services (i.e., tour guides) comply with work-time rules that apply to everyone who is legally required to manage driving hours, including both drivers and transport operators. This is to ensure that contractors and employees delivering these services get sufficient rest and meal breaks.  Consequently, drivers are required to maintain an uptodate work time logbook.

Stay safe and enjoy the ride!