L-Plate Dispensation

This article needs more work, and is primary based on a post in the main forums. http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=72213

I am currently on my learners (have been for 2.5 months), have a reasonably clean licence (although far from perfect), I am aged mid thirties and was looking for a cruiser.

I had a really good call with the people at LTNZ who were REALLY helpful. I got some additional info from them that will help others who are thinking of applying.

1. If you are a young -un don’t bother unless you are really big or tall, they have too many young people in accidents, and as such look at these a lot harder – you really have to have a good reason – otherwise you will be declined. 2. If you are looking for a bike with a “Z” in the model you will be declined regardless of age, reason, whatever – so don’t even try.

I wrote in saying a 250 on the open road was silly. They wrote back asking me how much time I spend in 100kph zones, why can’t I use a car (that I had previously), and what am I looking for, and what experience do I have (being that I have been riding 2.5 months).

I emailed them my answers (see below):

Make, Model and registration of current bike? I ride a Suzuki GN250 registration #ABC!@#

Make, Model and registration of the bike I am looking to purchase? I have not as yet identified the exact bike that I wish to purchase as I am unable to test ride them on my current licence. I have however spoken to numerous suppliers and biking mentors about this and they are unanimous in their recommendation of a mid-size cruiser bike. I have no intention of purchasing a sports bike or the like. Examples would be a Suzuki C50 or M50.

If I am successful in this application is it possible to get dispensation to test ride before having the licence ‘linked’ to the specific bike I am approved to purchase?

What travel options did I have prior to my class 6 licence and why cannot I use this now? Prior to my class 6 licence I had a car of my own, but I have since sold this (Ferrari #ABC!@#). As such my bike is my only form of transport.

My wife has a car (another Ferrari #ABC!@#) but she uses this for her work and the children, and this is rarely available to me. There is also a Nissan registered to my name (a Porsche #ABC!@#) – however this is my sons and he no longer lives at home. As such I have no access to this car either.

Photo of me on my current bike:

Please find following.

[insert pic of Brad Pitt]

Photo of me on the bike that I wish to purchase? I am unable to provide this immediately as this bike has not as yet been identified. I could either find the bike I wish to purchase and send you a picture for your approval, or I could take a picture of each of the bikes that could be on my ‘shopping list’ – please let me know which you would prefer.

Evidence of riding experience? I had passed my learners whilst on the UK approximately 7 years ago (I cannot find a copy sorry). In New Zealand I ride every day as this is my primary form of transport. I also attend a mentor group where more experience riders provide training Wednesday evenings for approximately 2.5 hours (BIG UPS TO BIG DOG AND CO). For clarification this is not a group that just rides around town – we have a dedicated area (large carpark) where we have lessons / training on items such as emergency braking, counter steering, bike maintenance, riding in wet, general safety etc).

Other than that – I am a daily rider, with the majority of my riding done on the open road.

Estimated amount of time I ride on open road (100kph zones) and reasons why? I ride in 100 KPH zones almost every day. To and from my office does not generally require riding in 100KPH zones, but all most other actions do. Examples:

• I ride on the Northern Motorway (and over the harbour bridge) for meetings / training / shopping approximately twice a week. (as an aside such a small bike on the harbour bridge is dangerous when windy)
• I rode in Rodney district approximately 4 times a week for at least an hour to meet friends etc.
• I ride 5 hours return approximately every 3rd weekend to Cambridge and back to visit family (I cannot take the car as my immediate family generally do not come down for this.)
• We live at the very top of the East Coast Bays – as such a large percentage of ‘general life’ trips require riding on the motorway

They confirmed that I will be granted dispensation in the following:

• I will be given dispensation for date XX to test ride bikes upto 800cc as long as it does not have a “Z” in the model.
• Once I have selected a bike I will be given dispensation for that bike only
• I am then allowed to sit my full licence (ONE TIME ONLY)
  • if I pass I no longer have to have learners or restricted restrictions – I go directly to my full licence - Do no pass go, do not collect $200 – sweeeeet
  • However if I fail I have to remain under the constraints of the learners / restricted with the exception of the larger bike dispensation.

All in all they were very helpful, professional and a pleasure to deal with. They are not fools, so I would not try to ‘get one past them’, but, if you have a serious and reasonable case to put forward they are extremely helpful.

Penalties

Driving a motor vehicle contrary to the conditions of your driver's licence (with the exception of displaying the L-Plate) may result in a $100 fine and 35 demerit points.

Land Transport (Offences and Penalties) Regulations 1999 (SR 1999/99), Schedule 1

Land Transport (Offences and Penalties) Regulations 1999 (SR 1999/99), Schedule 2