Truck Driver / Owner-Operator
Tax guide for New Zealand self-employed truck drivers and transport owner-operators
Allowable Expenses
- Vehicle running costs — Fuel, oil, tyres, maintenance, WOF, registration
- Truck finance interest — Interest on truck loans is a deductible business expense
- Road user charges (RUC) — NZ Road User Charges for diesel vehicles
- Insurance — Truck insurance, public liability, cargo insurance
- Licence fees — Heavy motor vehicle licence, transport service licence
Tax Tips
- RUC (Road User Charges) are a deductible business expense for owner-operators
- Truck loan interest is deductible — keep loan statements showing interest component
- If you have a dedicated office at home for dispatch/admin, claim the home office proportion
- Driver medical examination fees required to maintain your commercial licence are deductible professional expenses
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Road User Charges (RUC) deductible for NZ truck drivers?
Yes. Road User Charges (RUC) paid for diesel or other vehicles required to display a licence are a deductible business operating expense for owner-operator truck drivers.
Is truck loan interest deductible for NZ owner-operators?
Yes. Interest on a loan used to purchase a truck used in your transport business is a deductible business expense. Keep your loan statements which separate principal repayment from interest — only interest is deductible, not principal.
Can NZ truck drivers claim heavy vehicle licence fees?
Yes. Annual heavy motor vehicle licence fees, transport service licence fees, and any driver medical examination fees required to maintain your commercial licence are deductible business expenses.
How does depreciation work for NZ truck owner-operators?
A truck costing over NZ$1,000 must be depreciated over its useful life using IRD depreciation rates. Many owner-operators use diminishing value depreciation for trucks. The truck's purchase price is not immediately deductible — depreciation is claimed year by year instead.