Tradespeople have a natural case for a limited licence because the work is inherently mobile. You cannot build a house, fix plumbing, or wire a building remotely. But the court still requires proper evidence — the strength of the case depends on how well you document the connection between driving and your livelihood.
Why tradespeople have a strong case
The hardship test under s105 requires extreme hardship to you or undue hardship to another person. For tradespeople, the case is typically straightforward:
- The work requires travelling to job sites that change regularly
- Tools and materials must be transported to each site
- Public transport does not serve most job sites (or cannot carry tools)
- Loss of licence means loss of income — you cannot do the work without getting to the site
These elements naturally satisfy the hardship threshold. The key is documenting them properly.
Evidence package for tradespeople
If employed
- Sworn employer affidavit confirming your trade role, that driving is essential, and your job is at risk
- Job site evidence — current site addresses showing travel requirements
- Roster or schedule — days and hours you work
- Transport analysis — why public transport does not cover your work sites
If self-employed
- Your sworn affidavit — detailing the business, the need to drive, and the financial consequences
- Client invoices — recent work showing travel to different locations
- Financial records — tax returns, GST returns, or bank statements showing business income
- Client or accountant letter — third-party confirmation that the business depends on your driving
See our self-employed guide for more detail on building the case without an employer affidavit.
Boundary considerations for tradespeople
Unlike office workers who travel a fixed route from home to work, tradespeople often work across a wide area with sites that change weekly or daily. This creates specific boundary considerations:
Fixed employer, multiple sites
If you work for a construction company that sends you to different sites:
- Ask your employer to confirm the general area where jobs are located
- Request a boundary that covers the full range of likely job sites
- The boundary may need to be larger than for a fixed-workplace application
Self-employed, wide service area
If you serve clients across a town or region:
- Document the locations of recent and current jobs
- Show the geographical spread on your boundary map
- The court may grant a broader boundary if the evidence supports it
Tools and materials
Mention in your evidence that you need to transport:
- Trade tools (tool belt, power tools, hand tools)
- Materials and supplies
- Safety equipment
- Ladders, scaffolding components, or other bulky items
This reinforces why public transport is not a viable alternative — you cannot carry building tools on a bus.
Common trade scenarios
| Trade | Driving need | Key evidence point |
|---|---|---|
| Builder | Multiple sites, heavy tools and materials | Cannot transport timber and tools by bus |
| Plumber | Emergency callouts, van full of parts | Emergency work requires immediate vehicle access |
| Electrician | Multiple jobs per day across a region | Multiple site visits daily, tools and test equipment |
| Painter | Moving between residential jobs, transporting paint and ladders | Bulky equipment, variable job locations |
| Landscaper | Equipment transport, trailer towing | Heavy equipment requires vehicle and trailer |
| Roofer | Ladder and harness transport, multiple jobs | Safety equipment must travel with the worker |
Tips for tradespeople
- Photograph your work vehicle — showing tools and equipment loaded demonstrates the transport requirement
- Get a letter from your current site foreman — if employed, confirming you need to drive to the site daily
- Document the lack of alternatives — if your job sites are in areas without public transport, provide timetables or maps showing this
- Be specific about hours — tradespeople often start early (6:00 or 7:00 am). Make sure the requested conditions cover your actual start time