If you are self-employed, you face a unique challenge in a limited licence application: there is no employer to write a letter confirming your hardship. The evidence must come from your own sworn affidavit, supported by business financial records and ideally third-party confirmation from an accountant or clients.
The self-employment challenge
For employed applicants, the sworn employer affidavit provides independent, third-party confirmation of hardship. Self-employed applicants lack this — the court is essentially being asked to take the applicant's word that their business requires driving and will suffer without it.
To overcome this, self-employed applicants need to provide stronger documentary evidence than a typical employee would.
What the court needs to see
1. Your affidavit
A sworn affidavit from you is essential. It should cover:
- What your business does and how long it has operated
- Why driving is essential — specific tasks, client visits, deliveries, site work
- How often you drive for business (daily routes, weekly client visits, travel patterns)
- What will happen if you cannot drive — loss of clients, inability to fulfil contracts, reduced income
- Alternatives you have considered — why hiring a driver, using couriers, or working remotely will not work
- Financial impact — specific dollar figures for projected income loss
2. Financial records
The court wants to see that the business is real, active, and dependent on your driving:
- Recent invoices showing client work that requires travel
- Tax returns or GST returns (last 1–2 years) showing business income
- Bank statements showing regular business transactions
- Client contracts that specify on-site work or deliveries
3. Third-party evidence
Since you cannot provide an employer affidavit, seek alternative sworn third-party confirmation:
- Accountant letter — confirming the business is active and driving is essential to operations
- Client letters — from key clients confirming they expect you to attend in person
- Supplier letters — if you collect goods or materials that require driving
- Industry evidence — if your trade inherently requires travel (e.g. building, plumbing, electrical)
Business structures
The approach applies to all self-employment structures:
| Structure | Key evidence |
|---|---|
| Sole trader | Personal affidavit, financial records, client letters |
| Partnership | Partner affidavit (or both partners), partnership financials |
| Company director/shareholder | Director affidavit, company financials, evidence you are the sole/primary driver |
| Contractor | Contract documents, invoicing records, principal contractor confirmation |
Common scenarios
Tradesperson
Tradespeople (builders, plumbers, electricians, painters) have a natural case because the work is inherently mobile. Key evidence includes:
- Current job sites that require travel
- Tools and materials that must be transported
- Multiple jobs per day requiring vehicle access
- Rural or spread-out client base
Sales and client-facing roles
If your business involves visiting clients:
- Client meeting schedule
- Territory or region you cover
- Client expectations of in-person service
Delivery or courier
If your business involves deliveries:
- Delivery schedule and routes
- Volume of deliveries that requires a vehicle
- Why alternative delivery methods are not feasible
Strengthening the application
Self-employed applications succeed when the evidence is:
- Specific — exact routes, client names, financial figures
- Documented — paper trail, not just verbal claims
- Verified — at least one third party (accountant, client, or supplier) confirms the situation
- Realistic — the proposed limited licence conditions match actual business needs
Avoid vague claims like "I need to drive for my business." Instead, document precisely what you do, where you go, and what the financial consequences are.