Getting your driver’s license endorsed for operating machinery on the road is a necessity these days and Deals on Wheels provides some basic details on how to obtain them
If you’ve made a New Year’s resolution to finally get a legal licence to operate machinery or decided to change career and join the construction industry, then the R, T and W endorsements provide the basic street cred to obtain work with most companies. There will be the odd business out there that doesn’t require them, but these days finding one of those is rare.
Some businesses may even invest by paying for a licence if an employee shows initiative, but having the endorsement stamped there ready to go shows a person is serious about things and should help to open doors.
A necessity for operating a special-type vehicle on the road, the R endorsement relates to vehicles on rollers, and the T endorsement for vehicles on self-laying tracks (excavators, bulldozers, tracked loaders, etc.).
The W endorsement is for special-type vehicles on wheels, like those used in roadworks or mining. It doesn’t cover forklifts, passenger vehicles, tractors, fire appliances, trade vehicles or recovery vehicles. If you’re keen to get around on a forklift, then a separate F endorsement is required.
While no licence is necessary unless you intend to use a vehicle on the road, employers will prefer a potential employee that has a R, T, W endorsements under their belt, as it tells them that an approved course has been attended and the bare minimum skills are present, giving a base line to work from.
Part of the process to get a R, T, W endorsement is that a certificate of approval from a licensed course provider is required, so no matter how proficient you may be on a piece of machinery, someone who may only have a small percentage of your skills will have to assess you as fit to operate and sign the legal piece of paper. Having said that, a course is generally no longer than one day.
If your machine operating skills are zero, then a number of providers will carry out full training, which can be over a number of weeks. It will culminate with the R, T, W endorsements, and many of the training providers are known for turning out good people into the construction industry. It’s better to have a smiling instructor give you operating pointers instead of a grumpy workmate who begins each sentence with F.F.S.
To apply for an endorsement, you need to apply in person at a driver licensing agent, which is either a selected Automobile Association (AA) or Vehicle Testing New Zealand (VTNZ) office.
There you will need to complete an application form, provide your New Zealand full driver’s licence or two other approved forms of identification. If you haven’t provided an eyesight certificate they will check your eyesight, and you will need to show them the certificate you proudly received after completing the approved endorsement course.
Then, it’s simply a matter of parting with $62.10 per endorsement and you’re ready to hit the road. Your endorsements will expire at the same time as your driver’s licence, so that makes things easier when renewal time comes around.
There is a wealth of easy-to-understand information on the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency website, along with a list of approved course providers. Obtaining the endorsements are relatively straightforward and may open up a whole new life chapter, so don’t procrastinate and get things moving now.
For more information, contact 0800 822 422 or visit nzta.govt.nz/driver-licenses