Full Licence Test. Whats it like?

[Pancakes]

I decided a few hours ago that with the 900cc model of what I plan to have as my next bike generally being newer than the same price 250 of the same model, the only cost effective thing to do is get my full! :Punk:

I really want to know what the test is like, where you went, any funny things that caught you out/trick questions etc. Does it have to be through AA or can I go to a private tester? (to speed the process up?)

Thanks in advance.

Edited to try to make it read nicely but it's still a bit lumpy, you geddit tho a?

[Matt_TG]

I understand that all testers are contracted to LTSA, and usually part of an organisation like AA or VTNZ.

The test wasn't too bad, for me it was split in four sections. Here's my test...

1. Check out bike, lights, horn wof, rego etc. Get kitted up with earpiece and radio in jacket pocket.

2. Take off from VTNZ, drive around urban streets for 10 mins while he observed, then pull over, then pull out down the road, do a U turn then back to the tester parked on the side of the road.

3. While the tester was still parked, drive down the road, around into a side street then back to the tester, telling him what hazards I saw while I was doing a specific thing (eg while I was turning back from the side street to the street he was on).

Then he followed me to the end of that street and was asked to observe hazards when I pulled out to the cross street, then stop and tell him what I saw.

4 Drive on the main urban road (70km/h) to a rural road that had various speed limits (50 / 70 / 80 / 100), staying within the speed limits till we got to a driveway where we turned around then re-traced our steps.

My comments / tips:

Pick a relatively busy time of day to do the test. It's easier with more traffic (slower) and there are more hazards to spot. My test was 7.30am during school holidays and it was empty.

Do a Defensive Driving Course. I did to get the restricted down to 3 months. I learnt what they were looking for as far as hazards go - not that it helped me (see below).

On my second hazard ID part, he asked me specifically to identify and recall hazards when I carried out the turn from the stop sign into the cross street. The roads were empty and the only thing at that time was a man walking a dog, so that's what I said. He looked at me and said "AND ....?". I said there was nothing else during the turn, so he asked about the car coming the other way when I came to the intersection - I said, oh yeah, but you said when I was actually doing the turn and that was way before I got to the intersection. He didn't like that ... Then he asked about the car following me (him). I was going to say "yeah that bastard has been behind me for the last 20 minutes" but thought better of it!

Make sure your bike's lights and horn etc all work. A mate failed his test at the beginning as his (borrowed) bike hand brake light didn't work.

Move your head about a lot, checking roads as you come to them, checking mirrors, especially look over shoulder when pulling out or changing lanes.

Good luck!

[Delphinus]

Mine was in the afternoon in raining weather. At the start he said kepp up to the speed limit but only where you safely can, drive to the conditions.
I think because it was raining we didnt do the hazard ID part. Just the riding round town, U turn etc, then onto the motorway, looped round an exit and back home.

Be very very polite, ie I introduced myself and shook his hand etc when I first met him.
Wear all the gear, as it was wet and gold i was fully kitted up in leathers with balaclava and inner gloves etc. He commented on this when we had finished, saying well done for wearing the right gear. I replied with ATGATT :)

Was looking absolutely everywhere when riding, down alllll the side streets etc.
If you go over a pedestrian crossing even if there is someone on the far side stop for them.

If you're doing hazard ID, name everything you see and then some. Go way over-the-top.
Parked cars, driveways, gravel/wet/slippery roads. Intersections, corners, speed changing zones. Cars in distance etc. Just say it all. Thats what I was told by driving instructor when doing car full. Then he cant ask for more. Shows you are aware I guess too.

Good luck, you'll be fine. Its nice and easy. Just be sensible and polite, and check bike is in full working order, with fuel!

[jrandom]

The test really is a piece of cake.

Just be sure your bike's lights etc are all in working order, and you have a full fuel tank! I missed out on my first booked test after failing to notice a blown indicator bulb.

:mellow:

[Stella]

wow, it sounds like a really intense test!!

Tell me it wasn't as scary as it sounds.......!

[Delphinus]

wow, it sounds like a really intense test!!

Tell me it wasn't as scary as it sounds.......!

Not at all. Its just a normal ride with lots of turns :)

Just thought it'd be better to give too much than not enough!

Just stay relaxed, dont break the rules and no worries.
Pays to drive round some surburban streets for about 20 mins beforehand to get in the practise of not going a jot over 50 and all the stopping and starting :)

[Stella]

Pays to drive round some surburban streets for about 20 mins beforehand to get in the practise of not going a jot over 50

Yes... I have been trying recently to get up to speed much quicker after intersections etc. Unfortunately I usually hit 60 before I notice I should have levelled off....

(I realised part of the reason I was so slow in getting up to speed was not my gutless GN but (being girly and) not wanting to make such a racket hooning up through the gears and feeling like I might be mistreating the bike somehow doing that.... :o
Unfortunately now I find that I am *supposed* to do that to get up to speed I feel less... like a boy racer doing it and have the maniac look less often...) :devil2:

Back on topic, it is REALLY good reading these detailed accounts of how people's practical tests went, thanks :)

[Delphinus]

Hehe yeah its all part of having a bike the noise you can make! And dont worry about giving it heaps when you want to. The engine is quite happy to do that.
Maybe giving it completely full throttle and doing burnouts is not quite what you should be doing during a test:innocent:, but dont be afraid to get up to speed quickly :)

[fireliv]

Book online, then you can book before your time is up, otherwise you have to go into LTSA and book after ure time is up....\

Good luck!

[Stella]

So I can sit my restricted after six months (just gone half way!!)

How is the six months counted? I got mine on the 27th of April, so does this mean I can sit it on the 27th October (six calendar months) or the 13th October (6 x 4 weeks) (if I counted right).

Can anyone tell I'm keen? ;)

[Delphinus]

Can anyone tell I'm keen? ;)

hahahahaah You crack me up. Thats some cool thinking there. Might have to ring LTSA on that one.

Driver licensing 0800 822 422

[Boob Johnson]

What would you know about a full licence test in NZ Jack?? You went to Raro on holiday & transferred it back u bloody cheat :laugh: :niceone:

[Delphinus]

Still had to sit the full practical when I got back here to get it converted :)

[F5 Dave]

What is it with youse guys & the go straight from a 250 to a thou mentality?

Heck I was never so confident to assume my skills were high enough to make such a big jump -& a good thing too as I would have been woefully underprepared + bikes have gotten a hell of a lot faster since then anyway.

a 650 twin would be a huge & useful jump. A bigger bike straight off will stunt your riding growth.

[Delphinus]

I went from a ZXR250 to a Triumph TT600. I think that was a good progression. I use the bike for work callouts when I can, covering all of otago, so a bike with a bit of power is a good thing. The TT600 is fantastic for that. But not an R1 etc.

[apteryx_haasti]

So I can sit my restricted after six months (just gone half way!!)

How is the six months counted? I got mine on the 27th of April, so does this mean I can sit it on the 27th October (six calendar months) or the 13th October (6 x 4 weeks) (if I counted right).

Can anyone tell I'm keen? ;)

Hey Stella,

If you go to the LTSA website and follow the thing for booking a test, it will actually tell you when you are eligible to sit the next stage.

Here's the link for bookings:

http://transact.landtransport.govt.nz/

I can sit mine now, but I haven't had a chance to get round to it. Bad! I'm going to do it next month... Better follow that booking link myself!

Cheers,

A_H

[Boob Johnson]

Still had to sit the full practical when I got back here to get it converted :)Oh really? I thought you got round all that hullaballo with the Raro trip? Well guess not :mellow:

[Delphinus]

Oh really? I thought you got round all that hullaballo with the Raro trip? Well guess not :mellow:

Nah it just skips the waiting period before you can actually sit the full.

[Boob Johnson]

Nah it just skips the waiting period before you can actually sit the full.Just can't justify the cost to go to Raro for a week for that, that's bike money being spent there <_<

I bought a car since the prang so im gunna get a big bike now & just cross me fingers for a few months since ill only ride it on weekend runs with the lads :innocent:


Just cant decide which style to go for.

Naked street fighter (hornet type bike)

or a GSX750F / ZXR750

[Delphinus]

Long as ya dont write that off as well! Wont have any insurance...

[Boob Johnson]

Long as ya dont write that off as well! Wont have any insurance...Hey I didn't write my last bike off, the girl did :innocent:


But yeah very true :yes:

[Stella]

Hey Stella,

If you go to the LTSA website and follow the thing for booking a test, it will actually tell you when you are eligible to sit the next stage.

Here's the link for bookings:

http://transact.landtransport.govt.nz/

Thanks!
Unfortunately it *is* calendar months, I had got my hopes up that I only had 2.5 months to go instead of three.... oh well, more practise is a good thing!

The date falls on a saturday for me, so that makes it easier, not having to take time off work etc.

Stella

[Pancakes]

I have done my time, just had a 250 so didn't see the point in paying to do my full. Take my wife on the back once in a blue moon but she's a dependand so can take her on on my restricted (I guess?). But think my bike is written off, should find out monday/tuesday and have fallen in love! I just get the rode code from the library and put removable stickers on the right answers, stare and repeat outloud for a few times each and thats the theory taken care of. Just read the discription of the practical and wondered what peoples real life tests were like.

Thanks for the input, hope to see you all out on a big bike soon so half of you can smile and say hi and some can wag their fingers at me!

[Stella]

My ex had his restricted car license and I had no license at all. Apparently in that situation it is legal for him to drive me (he did find out first).

There was one occasion he got pulled over (routine WoF/Rego), officer noticed restricted thing, ex said I was his dependant [me: mutter mutter mutter!] and all was good, barely an eyebrow raised.

[Pancakes]

I got engaged before the drinking age got lowered and my wife (to be) was 18. We would just explain we were married (weren't quite but hey, they didn't know) to the bouncer and they don't even blink and just let us in. Probably helped I had an engagement ring too, how new age of me, took her name too and my daughter has a boys name. But thats another story!

[Matt_TG]

Take my wife on the back once in a blue moon but she's a dependand so can take her on on my restricted (I guess?).

I don't think you can carry any sort of pillion on a restricted class 6 licence, whether it's a dependent/spouse or not. You can in a car but there isn't the 'having to balance' issues in a car.




I just get the rode code from the library and put removable stickers on the right answers, stare and repeat outloud for a few times each and thats the theory taken care of.


You don't do a theory test when sitting the full or restricted, the multi-choice answers etc are just for the learner's test :yes:

Hope this helps....

[Boob Johnson]

You don't do a theory test when sitting the full or restricted, the multi-choice answers etc are just for the learner's test :yes:

Hope this helps....Oh really? So all practical aye? Mmmmm that's good. I bloody hate swatting, reminds me of high school, I did very well at exams but who needs all that pressure :crazy:

[Matt_TG]

Too bloody right Boob!

From http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/factsheets/28.html

Stage 2 — Restricted licence

After holding a learner licence for at least six months you can go to your driver licensing agent and book a time to sit your restricted licence practical riding test.

To obtain your restricted licence, you must:

* have held your learner licence for at least six months
* pay the fees for the test and restricted licence application
* produce evidence of your identiy - this can be your learner licence
* produce evidence of your address
* prove your eyesight meets the required standard (see above)
* have your photograph taken
* provide a signature
* pass the restricted licence practical riding test.


Stage 3 — Full licence

You can apply for a full licence after 18 months on your restricted licence if you are under 25 years old, or after six months on your restricted licence if you are 25 or older.

If you successfully complete an approved course, the length of time you must hold your restricted licence for will be reduced to 12 months for those aged under 25 years, and three months for those 25 or older. You must present the course certificate to the driver licensing agent when you book the practical test.

If you're under 25, you can only complete an approved course after you've had your restricted licence for at least six months.

To obtain your full licence, you must also:

* pay the fees for the test and full licence application
* produce evidence of your identity - this can be your restricted licence
* produce evidence of your address
* prove your eyesight meets the required standard (see above)
* have your photograph taken
* provide a signature
* pass the full licence practical riding test

(Factsheet 59, Full motorcycle licence: What the full licence test involves tells you more).

[Boob Johnson]

Fan bloody tastic! Since im over 25 (just :innocent:) I think ill spend the $300 & speed things up a bit (no pun intended). Im able to sit my restricted on the 22nd of August so not long to go :Punk:

[Sanx]

My full practical test was pretty easy. Turn up at the AA in Westgate five minutes before my allotted time. Wait fifteen minutes after my allotted time until the tester got ready. My bike was checked over without incidence, and off we went. No radio or headpiece; my directions came from watching my mirrors to see which way the tester was indicating.

After a few streets, he stopped and told me to watch for hazards and then recall them later. Point out everything; traffic, gravel, slippery roads, nasty cambers, pedestrians (especially kids), stop signs, etc. Stopped three times and told him of any hazards and then moved on to riding a bit faster on more open roads. Get up to speed quickly but keep 5k or so below the limit. During this part of the test, I had to stop and ask the tester to keep his distance; I was doing 90 and he was less than ten metres behind me. I think it pissed him off somewhat, but I'd have rather failed the test than trust some dodgy official's reactions in the event of an emergency. Usually, I'd have just gapped it, but considering the circumstances

Back to the testing station and he told me I'd passed. Simple as. About the only difficult thing was resisting the temptation to filter at traffic lights...

[terbang]

Can't remember, twas 1975 and there has been a fair bit of brown bubbly stuff since then. :dodge:
I think the LTNZ site spells it out fairly well and I also recommend some of those skills advancement courses as well. The sort of thing that "The Stranger" peddles here would be good.
250 to a litre or plus..? Not a big deal if you use your noggin.

[Pancakes]

250 to a litre or plus..? Not a big deal if you use your noggin.

Yeah, I want to do a few different courses to get a range of tip's n tricks to think about. I don't want to go changing bikes every year or less, the next one will be a keeper. Looking at Hornet 900, doesn't come on hard and easy to ride. Have borrowed tons of bikes for varying amounts of time, only actually owned GN's and my Hyo but have done tours Pauanui a few times on Vespas and RGVr250, borrowed a Hornet 900 for a week and a bit and been on VTR1000 etc. Will just have to adjust my learing curve according to the new power level available.

Call me funny but the thing what got me stuck on the Hornet was the gearbox action! Like a switch and oh so smooth. Gotta get one!

Find out this arvo if mines a write off, the assessor said he couldn't say for sure so it's off to Spectrum now. Oh I hope so! Don't know how much confidence I'll have riding a bike I know has had a hard hit in the front.

[Roj]

I really want to know what the test is like, where you went, any funny things that caught you out/trick questions etc. Does it have to be through AA or can I go to a private tester? (to speed the process up?)



way back in 79 when I did my licence, I did a few figure 8s in the car park and was given my restricted which automatically converted to full after 6 months:rockon:

Probably not of much help though:innocent:

[90s]

I converted my overseas licence (yes a Raro one, but I found my 1988 Belgian one later anyway ... ) and took the full test at Westgate.

One thing is that as I was on a NZ learner I asked NZ Transit AND the AA what speed I needed to stick to on the motorway. They said I could not exceed the conditions of my current NZ permit, 70kph.

At the end of my test, 1/2 of which was on the SH16, the instructor asked why I stuck to 68kph on the motorway, not 100kph which I should have done. He said when converting you were bound by licence converting for the test, and that NZ Transit had changed the rules. He also said a 100kph for tests would apply to ALL test soon.

However, I told him I had checked (he said they were wrong) and he said it didn't matter for passing me anyway.

Moral: ask your tester what speed HE expects before your test ...