250cc+ Exemption on licence?

[mark247]

I am just wondering who has applied for and been accepted ( or denied ) for riding 250cc+ bikes on there learners and restricted licences because of there height or weight not suiting 250cc bikes? I think I am going to apply for an exemption because my height of 190cm does not really let me fit on the average 250cc bike too comfortably and i fit on my GB400 very well and it isn't even more powerful than new 250cc's. So yeah, has anyone had any luck with exemptions?

[YLWDUC]

Hey Mark,

I have heard rumours of exemptions like this, so its well worth trying. I applied for an exemption to sit my full license earlier based on the defensive driving course, and I found that the more information you give them, the quicker they'll come to a decision (and it should hopefully be the right one).

Both you and I know that our 400's aren't half as quick as a jap four stroke zxr250, but the law is blissfully ignorant. Write them a nice cover letter about why you'd need a larger (physically) bike than is available in a 250 and make it sound like you really need to use it to commute etc and you've had loads of experience riding bikes alread etc.

Will keep my fingers crossed for you.

[nigelp]

I applied for it in Nov last year just to see how tough they are on it. They said to me that cos I could sit my full in 6 months (I am old man balls) and that I had only recently sat my restricted that I was seen as too inexperienced to ride a larger bike. I did point out the fact that I had my learners for 7 years and rode all that time, but that didnt make any difference. I also noted that I am over 6ft and 110kgs! They want to see reasons why you would be no more dangerous on a larger cc bike, not just that you are too big for a 250cc.

[mark247]

Yeah, i am going write about how my GB400 isnt as fast as some 250cc bikes and how i am going to use it mainly for commuting 30km to polytech. Also i am going to tell them how i have owned a GSX250 and a VT250 in the past which have been too small for me. I hope it goes well, at the end of the day, im going to ride the GB400 anyway lol.

[Ixion]

Mr Gremlin was successful in his application. He did his homework very thoroughly, and may be willing to advise you.

As noted, those considering the application are not really very interested in whether you are comfortable or not.

What you have to do is convince them that you are safer on the big bike than a smaller one. And bear in mind that there is an inherent presumption that the large bike IS less safe (we know that may not be the case, but there is no point arguing that)

So you must show that you are so tall/large that you would be unsafe on a small bike. And provide evidence to offset the presumption that you will be at risk on the large one. I think that the exemption is not for a specific large bike, but is simply to ignore the restriction - so they will work on the basis that you may go out and buy a Hayabusa as soon as you have the exemption. They are looking for proof of SAFETY not SKILL (in fact stressing how skillfull a rider you are may be counterproductive)

So if possible point out your long record of safe and ticket free driving in a cage.And your maturity, etc , anything you can to make them think "Oh, he's a very safe driver".

I believe that it is VERY rare to obtain an exemption at the learner stage, they will only consider it at the restricted

[mark247]

Oh and YLWDUC, I saw in your profile that you are in the airforce. Do you by any chance know of a Chris "Undeze" Underwood? He flew the last skyhawk after they grounded them all. He caused a lot of mischief. Oh, and he is my brother. lol.

[YLWDUC]

Oh and YLWDUC, I saw in your profile that you are in the airforce. Do you by any chance know of a Chris "Undeze" Underwood? He flew the last skyhawk after they grounded them all. He caused a lot of mischief. Oh, and he is my brother. lol.

Not by name, but I heard that while they were flying them to keep them serviceable they wrote off 2-3 air frames. That kind of mischief perhaps?

[mark247]

I dont know about that. He just flew too low, too fast... too this, too that. The airforce couldnt stop him because he was the only pilot who could fly them.

[Gremlin]

Ixion has covered this off very well... and many people have too, before. Please do a search on this, before making another thread...

A handy post for you: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=610677&postcount=29

You may apply for an exemption to any license condition. Whether you receive said exemption is entirely another matter... My main point, was that my suspension had been stiffened as much as it could, and I was still bottoming it out. As Ixion has rightly said, you have to demonstrate you are no less safe on a bigger bike.

side note for nigelp: I applied for my exemption no more than a month after I sat my restricted. I had been riding for approximately 7 months.

[Karma]

I applied for my exemption no more than a month after I sat my restricted.

Ahhh... the famous pie-exemption... brings back memories.


Dear LTSA,

Due to an unfortunate incident in Jesters, I now cannot ride a 250 as I am far too overweight. Please let me ride a bigger bike.

Yours,

PieBoy.

[Insanity_rules]

Ahhh... the famous pie-exemption... brings back memories.


Dear LTSA,

Due to an unfortunate incident in Jesters, I now cannot ride a 250 as I am far too overweight. Please let me ride a bigger bike.

Yours,

PieBoy.

So thats who ate all the pies! I was wondering. Think I'd get away with this......

Dear LTSA.

Due to the fact I have a small penis and need to compensate with a large loud bike, I'm writing to apply for an exemption.

Yours

Insanity Rules.

Injecting humor into this place since 2005

PS I'm taking the piss outa myself not your valid enquiry Mark247

[mark247]

haha sweet as.

[phantom]

Not forgetting that the GB400 is quite small and is probably no more roomy than most 250s :dodge: Oh no I sold my bike to someone who wasn't allowed to ride it. Oh the shame .:Punk:

[mark247]

haha yeah, but there is a difference between not being allowed to ride it and not knowing how to ride it. I know how to ride it! :D

[mark247]

I just sent in my exemption today, it cost $22! Man they leach money from everywhere? Eh? Anyway, they reckon 6 weeks to hear back. Is that about right? Do they even get back to you at all if it's not accepted?

[Ixion]

Yes, you will be told the result, one way or another.

[Gremlin]

took about 4 weeks for my result... I dare say it almost seems like successful applications take less time than denies... mate got denied, and it took about 6 weeks...

dunno... try to relax, or the time will seem a lot longer :yes:

[mark247]

Well I got a call today and I got the exemption. But it is only for my GB400, no other bikes. Also, the woman said it would either run out the week i can get my restricted licence, or the week i can get the full. She doesn't know what one it will be. I will be getting the letter in the next few days. Awesome stuff. It actually worked. Now i can ride legally and actually bother getting insurance lol.

Oh and i have the hold the letter on me whenever i ride... i thought it would be printed on my licence or something.

[YLWDUC]

Well I got a call today and I got the exemption. But it is only for my GB400, no other bikes. Also, the woman said it would either run out the week i can get my restricted licence, or the week i can get the full.

Well done Mark.
The limitation on your current bike is to be expected really. I'd be a little bit suspicious if the exemption was granted because 250's are too small and your GB400 is pretty slow, only to find you riding on a Busa the next day....:gob:

My money is on the exemption being valid until you complete the full license test.

[mark247]

My money is on the exemption being valid until you complete the full license test.

Yeah thats what would of worked out good for me. But, the lady said that it generally just goes until you get your restricted then you need to apply again! but she said she would talk to her manager or something and try make it last until i can get my full. Trust the LTSA to make it so you have to reapply again. ffs.

[Gremlin]

Oh and i have the hold the letter on me whenever i ride...
There should be words to the effect "As per conditions in letter rider carries" written on the blank space on the back of the license.

Best tip here is to photocopy it about 5 times, take it to your local JP, and have them verified, and keep the original safe. Depending on the length of time of exemption, the letters do slowly degrade, especially if they get wet.

It is of note to notice the date the exemption expires, as technically, if you do not pass the license before then, strictly speaking, you cannot ride that bike for your license... Not sure what they would do in that situation.