Full licence faster?

[Renegade]

anyone know how to go about shaving time off my restricted? is there a course or something i have to do to cut it down from 6 months to 3, the ltsa web site isnt very helpful, im in wellington aswell.

[manwithav8]

and are over 25, a standard defensive driver course will allow you to get your full in 3 months. I'm doing mine this month...

[Chrislost]

do you have to do a standart defencive course?
htey recently changed all this and theres practical driving and all sorts in it now:gob:

[Gremlin]

I find this (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/search.php) is very handy,

and is able to find things like this: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=30266&highlight=defensive+driving

:whocares:

[mynameis]

Ask yourself a few questions first and then make a decision:

1. Why do I need my full licence 3/6 months earlier? (Under and over 25)

2. What will I achieve/gain by getting my full licence 3/6 months earlier? (Under and over 25)

3. What's involved in obtaining my licence 3/6 months earlier? (Under and over 25) Time, money and effort wise?

For myself here are some honest answers if in case you are interested:

1. Just because I can, I just want my full licence ASAP. For various reasons of course, which aren't necessarily that important or I could do away with : So I could buy a bigger bike, my insurance premium would go down, I could carry a pillion and ride whenever I want to.

2. Nothing really, just waste my good few hours and my hard earned money on a course which teaches you nothing much than jack shit, real simple common sense stuff.

3. $150-$170 plus four nights in a classroom full of idiots talking crap and handing out certificates which allow you to get your licence earlier.

I just can't justify the value in it for the amount of money I would have to dish out, but again if someone has a golden tree in their backyard on which money grows than it's their personal choice.

Sorry to drift away from the topic but to answer your question here are some useful links, there are basically two courses, defensive driving course or street talk: (and yes it's from ltsa website)

http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/factsheets/66.html

http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/licensing/car/street-talk.html

Hope that helps.

[blue eyed savage]

i get my licence back on the 28th aug, iv had my lerners for about 3 years befor i lost my licence for 6 months, can i go for my restricted as soon as i get it back?

[Blair-SV]

I did the defensive driving course to knock my licence down, I traded off the cost of the course with 3 months less insurance and depreciation on the 250. I wanted to be able to sell at the start of summer.

[slopster]

i get my licence back on the 28th aug, iv had my lerners for about 3 years befor i lost my licence for 6 months, can i go for my restricted as soon as i get it back?

yes you never lost you licence it was only suspended

[Renegade]

[QUOTE=mynameis;1119325]Ask yourself a few questions first and then make a decision:


1. Just because I can, I just want my full licence ASAP. For various reasons of course, which aren't necessarily that important or I could do away with : So I could buy a bigger bike, my insurance premium would go down, I could carry a pillion and ride whenever I want to.

2. Nothing really, just waste my good few hours and my hard earned money on a course which teaches you nothing much than jack shit, real simple common sense stuff.

3. $150-$170 plus four nights in a classroom full of idiots talking crap and handing out certificates which allow you to get your licence earlier.


Im liking number 1. but number 2 and 3 suck so on that note you have helped me come to the decision that il flag it, ill just wait out my time instead of suffering in a class room.

[mynameis]

[quote=mynameis;1119325]Ask yourself a few questions first and then make a decision:


1. Just because I can, I just want my full licence ASAP. For various reasons of course, which aren't necessarily that important or I could do away with : So I could buy a bigger bike, my insurance premium would go down, I could carry a pillion and ride whenever I want to.

2. Nothing really, just waste my good few hours and my hard earned money on a course which teaches you nothing much than jack shit, real simple common sense stuff.

3. $150-$170 plus four nights in a classroom full of idiots talking crap and handing out certificates which allow you to get your licence earlier.


Im liking number 1. but number 2 and 3 suck so on that note you have helped me come to the decision that il flag it, ill just wait out my time instead of suffering in a class room.

Dead right mate 3 months will fly by and before you know you wouldn't even be ready and prepared for a full test. And on the positive side look at it as spending more time on a 250 and gaining more basic riding skills and being a better rider for when you jump on a bigger bike.

There's nothing worse than not being able to ride a less than 40 hp 250cc properly and jumping to a 100 plus hp 600cc machine. You won't enjoy it, so I have been told.

And for me personally I just don't see the value in those courses at all for the time, money and effort you would put in. My 16 year old cousin did it, she laughed at how ridiculous it was and the fact that she did not learn much and apparently bikers and cagers do the same course, I need not to comment about that bit eh?

[Blair-SV]

There's nothing worse than not being able to ride a less than 40 hp 250cc properly and jumping to a 100 plus hp 600cc machine. You won't enjoy it, so I have been told.

I agree in theory but when it happened to me I actually found the thou easier to ride than the 250, so long as you can keep your right hand in check. Three more months won't seem like much once you get to the end though.

[Sanx]

I think I can give you the defensive driving course contents in about four lines:

1) Speeding causes global warming, poverty in Africa, teenage pregnancies, the extinction of endangered species, and just about everything else.
2) When the conditions change, slow down.
3) Slow down anyway.
4) Still moving? Slow down.

That's about it. Have a certificate.

So, save your money, wait another three months and go on an RRRS course instead.

[kiwifruit]

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[Crowdog]

Go to Rarotonga for a holiday get your bike licence for 10 bucks
then come back to NZ and book your full licence strait away no previous nz licences required

[hXc]

I'm 16, 6th form (Yr 12) at school, and next term I am doing the defensive driving course over a term. It's only $80 for us at school, and we get credits too.

My reasoning for doing it; I can ride at all hours, I can take a passenger (highly unlikely, but if the situation arises...), I can ride daddy's Gixxer (hint hint) and if someone offers me a decent price for my Spada, I'd just sell it then and there.

In the long run, it won't make much difference (apart from when I come back from Belgium after my exchange, I can work my arse off and buy a bigger bike). But in the short run, it can help things a lot.

Yes, it may be a pathetic course, but if it allows me to get my full quicker, I'm keen at almost half the price!

[The Pastor]

[quote=Renegade;1122540]

There's nothing worse than not being able to ride a less than 40 hp 250cc properly and jumping to a 100 plus hp 600cc machine. You won't enjoy it, so I have been told.




Depends if you're a woman then yes you are correct.


Me however LOVED EVERY MINNUTE OF MY 1000CC as my first real road bike.

Re the cource, I did one (court order) and they are actually pretty helpful with hazard identification. I didnt think i'd learn anything and didnt at the time but looking back its commen sence kinda stuff but as a kid you don't care know or think about that sort of stuff. You notice it when you teach people to drive.

[delusionz]

There's nothing worse than not being able to ride a less than 40 hp 250cc properly and jumping to a 100 plus hp 600cc machine. You won't enjoy it, so I have been told.

I don't think power is an issue at all, No one said you have to wring the throttle, and power you get used to. It's more the size & weight of the bike in comparison to the riders height, weight & body strength. If its maneuverable for the rider, it's a good match I think.

[janno]

It's more the size & weight of the bike in comparison to the riders height, weight & body strength. If its maneuverable for the rider, it's a good match I think.

Spot on there, sunshine.

Size and weight of the bike/rider ratio is the key for me, and I'm not physically strong.

Hated my SV650 because it was top heavy for my size and strength.

Loved my mate's much heavier VFR800 because the weight was down low and balanced.

Though of course, a forgiving throttle is a blessing when you are still building up the skills.

[slopster]

I don't think power is an issue at all, No one said you have to wring the throttle, and power you get used to. It's more the size & weight of the bike in comparison to the riders height, weight & body strength. If its maneuverable for the rider, it's a good match I think.

Problem is that a new 1000cc sportbike is physically as small and manouverable as a 250. Just as easy to ride too until you give it too much wrist

[mynameis]

Depends if you're a woman then yes you are correct.


Me however LOVED EVERY MINNUTE OF MY 1000CC as my first real road bike.

Re the cource, I did one (court order) and they are actually pretty helpful with hazard identification. I didnt think i'd learn anything and didnt at the time but looking back its commen sence kinda stuff but as a kid you don't care know or think about that sort of stuff. You notice it when you teach people to drive.

Well I know a few women who'd creme your ass any day, and if you read properly "Renegade" isn't a kid, from what he's mentioned he's over 25. It also depends on how much brains you have, some people need to be told about almost everything and others will learn very quickly.

So it all depends where you'd put yourself. And we're not talking about "other" courses, we're talking about what's taught in the two approved course, which is jack shit!


Problem is that a new 1000cc sportbike is physically as small and manouverable as a 250. Just as easy to ride too until you give it too much wrist

Spot on mate !

[Renegade]

id like to add that so far im not a huge fan of the high revving stuff, i rode a gsxrr250(i think that was what is was) with a 17,000 rpm and it just pissed me off, id prefer the low down grunty type i think, but not really a cruiser as i love corners!!

suggestions??

[Sanx]

If you can put up with the rather agricultural engines, then maybe a Buell? If not, for a first big bike, try an SV650, SV1000 or VTR1000.

[Brett]

Defensive Driving course...what a crock of crap. However, I will say that some of the kids that were there with us NEEDED to hear what was said as they were clueless (and still thought drink driving was cool - man I wanted to bash some little shits by the end of the classes).

Dont forget, that as bikers we learn things quicker than the average Joe - things like:

1 - Assess the road surface as you are moving along in order to pick up surface changes, camber of road, slick spots etc.

2 - MOST IMPORTANT - look ahead when riding / driving. Watching the vehicles arse in front is a recipe for disaster.

3 - Things happen quicker when you are moving fast (well duh)

4 - AND THE KING RULE OF ALL - CAGE DRIVERS ON THE WHOLE ARE USELESS AT LETTING OTHER ROAD USERS KNOW THEIR INTENTIONS, ARE INATTENTIVE AND LIKE HORSES WITH BLINDERS ON - THERE ARE NO OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD WHEN THEY ARE DRIVING, OR SO THEY THINK.

Luckily for me, I had mr N4CR himself to keep me company...and it was rather amusing at times.

[Brett]

id like to add that so far im not a huge fan of the high revving stuff, i rode a gsxrr250(i think that was what is was) with a 17,000 rpm and it just pissed me off, id prefer the low down grunty type i think, but not really a cruiser as i love corners!!

suggestions??

17000rpm? My little ZXR was only getting moving aroun then...bring on 19,500rpm baby.

[Matt_TG]

This topic has died out a bit but nevermind, here goes anyway, I'll throw in my thoughts.

I recently sat a Defensive Driving Course, mainly to get down the restricted period to 3 months, but I felt after 22 years of driving I may learn something. You may as well be dead if you don't want to learn anything.

I sat in a room of 16 year olds for 8 hours then did the one hour practical part. It wasn't overly drawn out I thought.

I DID learn something about my driving style (which I reckon helps me know when I am likely to get pissed off with other drivers and do something stupid, so I recognise it and are aware of it) , and believe that I added to my skills in being more alert of what's around me when driving/riding.

It's NOT just all about learning to slow down. Most of the reasons not to do the course come from those who know it all and haven't done the course.

Ultimately they assist in teaching car drivers to be more aware of what's around them too (like bikes), which is a good thing.

In my opinion it should be compulsory that new drivers sit the course. My 16 year old will be as part of his licencing, as will my other kids.