Rarotonga license practical test

[Lucy]

Hello, just thought I'd play a wee game of 'State the feckin obvious' for anyone going to Raro for the purpose of getting a licence. I've read a few threads here that mention 'paying $10 and riding around the cops front lawn'. It's NEARLY that simple, but not quite. I didn't do the practical, (as I already have a 6L), but MrLucy had to do it, and he was the only one out of four on his test ride to pass.

One guy just raced off, so the cop couldn't see him ride, and had to fail him.

One lady indicated once and the indicator remained on for the rest of the ride, so she failed.

The third person failed for another unkown reason.

The test involved riding along the main road through town, going around a roundabout, and then going back through town. Pretty simple, but you do need to remember the Number one rule (as told on Brotown)

"DON'T BE A DICK"

I shall be reporting back on how I get on with the conversion process.....

[Taz]

What was the number one rule again.... I've forgotten :o Where am I? Who am I? oh I don't know!!!

[HungusMaximist]

I'd be quite interested in hearing how it goes and how the conversion process back in NZ.

I hear you need some official transcript/document to prove it isn't fake.

Of course, the other rule is to remember is that you better have a damm good reason from never having a bike licence and to having a full and then riding away in NZ on some fast ass performance bike.. !!!

[Delphinus]

When you get back to NZ, get the conversion form before going up to the counter. Its a DL5 from memory and fill it out completely so the operator doesn't have to think too much.
First LTSA office I went to put up a fuss and said I needed a signed letterheaded letter from the raro police outlining what test I had to complete. I thought that was a bit steep, but the 2nd AA I went to put it through no trouble at all.
(Note: LTSA Helpdesk said its all fine so not sure why the first outlet didn't have a bar of it)
Then you just sit a full practical test and bob's your uncle.

Let us know how it goes Lucy :)

[Lucy]

Yes I shall report back asap, not sure when as currently my bike is in Wellington and I am not. Boohoo.

It seems as though everyones experience is different, I have just read the thread about the proof from Raro re the test, if they insist on that I'm in trouble. And yet I heard of one person (in Tauranga I think) who didn't even have to do the practical here - someone in the office just swapped it over! I'm not expecting to be that lucky.

Oh and Hungusmaximus - the only 'fat ass performance' on my GN is me, but thanks for your concern.....!

[Minnie]

Hi Lucy, yes i'll be interested to see how you get on with conversion as well, we were refused in puke, i now have full so need to worry , but Mr Minnie is still buzzing round on his raro license and really should convert his if he can.

[Delphinus]

Yup just keep trying AA offices till you find someone who will do it ;)

[UberRhys]

Hello, just thought I'd play a wee game of 'State the feckin obvious' for anyone going to Raro for the purpose of getting a licence. I've read a few threads here that mention 'paying $10 and riding around the cops front lawn'. It's NEARLY that simple, but not quite.

Pretty simple, but you do need to remember the Number one rule (as told on Brotown)

"DON'T BE A DICK"

Hehehe, my boss just came back from holiday and told me that story. Funny shite. He said when he got his there was a pomm there who was kicking up a stink that his name wasn't spelt correctly to which the large islander woman said with an attitude "Does it matter?"... :lol::lol::lol:

[barty5]

ha ha ha it still the same test then i did the same test way back in 1985 in Raro glad to see things havnt changed then again what could there is only one round about and no traffic lights.

[Lucy]

Ok, to convert an overseas licence you must have held that licence for at least two years. So apparently it is not possible, and if that's the only reason you are going to Raro, then don't.

[lanci]

"You don't have to sit the practical test if:

you have a licence from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom or the United States of America, and

your licence is current (or has expired within the past 12 months), and

you've held that licence for more than two years."

So what I take from that is that if you meet any of the above criteria you don't have to sit the test.

To summarise, I know people that have converted the license, all they had to do was the theory and practical test, the 2 year issue simply isn't.

[Lucy]

[QUOTE=lanci;1326898your licence is current (or has expired within the past 12 months), and

you've held that licence for more than two years."

.[/QUOTE]


If you go to Raro and get a licence, it will be new, ie you won't have had it for two years. As far as i can tell that IS the issue.

[Morcs]

yes but it will be valid in NZ for one year (from when you entered the country.)
Then try and convert it.

[MarkyMark]

Sounds to me like you CAN convert the license,(having held it less than two years) but you are required to take the practical full test to do so.

I'm going to Raro in February, the license is an added bonus. I'm planning to ride on it for a most of a year, then I'm eligible to sit my full license normally. Are there any insurance issues driving a >250 on the Raro license?

[lanci]

I'm pretty sure the only thing about the 2 year issue is having to sit the practical test (as per my quote). Also in Raro, you have to get re-issued a license every year, meaning in theory you can't hold one for more that 1 year.

Anyhow, you can do it as I have booked in for later this month.

[90s]

You guys should really read thoroughly the other threads on this along with descriptions of the process.
Having lost my Belgian bike licence I got:

a 6L in Aug 2006
A Raro licence in Nov 2006 (paid $10 no test as had 6L)
Jan 2007 converted by taking the full pratical test

It really is that simple - not everyone is informed about the process so keep trying as suggested until you get someone who understand the process. If you don't have a 6L or 6R you probably would have to take the NZ theory as well.

End.

[lanci]

90s is right and this is the point I was trying to get across, you can do it. :scooter:

[Maha]

One guy just raced off, so the cop couldn't see him ride, and had to fail him.

One lady indicated once and the indicator remained on for the rest of the ride, so she failed.

The third person failed for another unkown reason.

The test involved riding along the main road through town, going around a roundabout, and then going back through town. Pretty simple, but you do need to remember the Number one rule (as told on Brotown)

"DON'T BE A DICK"



We were there a couple of months ago and couldn't beleive the amount of people waiting outside the cop shop to do their licence. I saw one chic go straight through a stop sign :Oops: stupid little things that can make you pay more and do it again...."DON'T BE A DICK"....Good advice!

[Lucy]

You guys should really read thoroughly the other threads on this along with descriptions of the process.
Having lost my Belgian bike licence I got:

a 6L in Aug 2006
A Raro licence in Nov 2006 (paid $10 no test as had 6L)
Jan 2007 converted by taking the full pratical test

It really is that simple - not everyone is informed about the process so keep trying as suggested until you get someone who understand the process. If you don't have a 6L or 6R you probably would have to take the NZ theory as well.

End.

Hi there, actually I DID read thoroughly all your (and other) threads about it, and I know it is possible, as you and many have done it.

I'm talking about legally and technically, when you read the application, (and Lanci's post) they state that you must have had the overseas licence for at least two years. It's written on the form, as well as on the website and everything else official I've managed to track down.

The trick is not to find someone who understands the process, the trick is to find someone who is willing, (deliberately or through ignorance), to misunderstand the process. All the info gets entered in the computer, which then tells them what to do, (sit a theory, and/or a practical depending on your 6L status for example).

At least that is my experience. I explained to the lady that I had had my licence for more than two years and that the date on it was the last time I had it renewed because I'm pretty sure that otherwise it would have been a case of:

"The computer says No"

90s, what did they say to you about the two years or more condition?

[Lucy]

We were there a couple of months ago and couldn't beleive the amount of people waiting outside the cop shop to do their licence. I saw one chic go straight through a stop sign :Oops: stupid little things that can make you pay more and do it again...."DON'T BE A DICK"....Good advice!

Yeah people seem to think that because Helmets aren't required, that no other road rules do either. Doh, why do they think there is a test?
Here is a transcript of a conversation we heard between the lady taking applications, and three young guys from NZ.

"Have you got a NZ car licence?"

"Yes, but I forgot and left it at the hotel"

"You're not lying are you? You sure you've got a car licence"

"Yes"

Points to two guys behind him

"Are you with those guys?"

"Yes"

"If they also left their licences at the hotel I am going to send you to prison. Do you want to go to prison?"

"No"

"So tell me again, have you got a NZ car licence?"

"No"

Hangs head and shambles off.


:crazy:

[Delphinus]

When was the 2 year rule added? I'm sure when I did it it wasn't in any of the forms etc.

Going to raro is still possibly worth it though, being able to ride any bike on the raro license for 12 months, after which you should have your NZ full.

I explained the full details to my insurance broker (Kiwibike Insurance) who were happy with me riding on the raro license for a while :)

[Silverfern]

Raro licences seem to be a money making business for the islanders. We were there 8 weeks ago, both of us had full bike licences but decided not to spend an extra $10 for us both to get a Raro licence each, when the same $$ could buy 2 cans of beer. Ian duly went in, waited 20 minutes, got a smiling happy picture taken, then when he went back and picked it up, I discovered it was for a car licence only! We had already rented the scooter so thought what the hell, the police station was packed with scooter boys and so away we went. On our last night there, we came around the corner near the airport and guess what - a checkpoint! I kid you not. All the locals got waved through - no checking of their licences (or WoF or Rego which most of the vehicles wouldn't have had anyway) and then they got to us. Ian showed his licence, the policeman turned it over, read the back and then gave it back and waved us on. Not a word about it being a Raro car licence!

[90s]

Hi there, actually I DID read thoroughly all your (and other) threads about it, and I know it is possible, as you and many have done it.

I'm talking about legally and technically, when you read the application, (and Lanci's post) they state that you must have had the overseas licence for at least two years. It's written on the form, as well as on the website and everything else official I've managed to track down.

The trick is not to find someone who understands the process, the trick is to find someone who is willing, (deliberately or through ignorance), to misunderstand the process. All the info gets entered in the computer, which then tells them what to do, (sit a theory, and/or a practical depending on your 6L status for example).

At least that is my experience. I explained to the lady that I had had my licence for more than two years and that the date on it was the last time I had it renewed because I'm pretty sure that otherwise it would have been a case of:

"The computer says No"

90s, what did they say to you about the two years or more condition?

Fair enough - I saw that you had read through some of the old threads, but there are loads of them, and they clearly establish it is possible.

Now, there is an ammendment to the licencing law proposed (14 September 2007, http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/consultation//omnibus-amendment-2007/q-and-a.html) that will scrap (if approved) the need for overseas licence holders to sit the NZ theory - from a list of approved countries.
However, there is nothing in the legislation and rules I could find (ie. http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/factsheets/56.html) that has any power to say you must have had an overseas licence for a fixed period before you can convert it. You MUST convert licences within 12 months or you loose the right (as happened to me) to convert it, but there can be no obligation to have had the licence for any time.
It works like this - as a visitor to NZ you may ride on an overseas licence up to one year. The year resets (and I checked this as this is another recent change to the rules) every time you come back into the country.
Their can be no "licence only is valid if you have had it for ...) a full licence is a full licence, end of story.

Having said this, I was unable to download a DL5 anywhere to check the wording. I would like to, so if you could scan a copy and post it pls do.
I think it may be a case of odd wording or even an error on the form - because it is a case of finding people who know the process because if what you say is correct the form could be wrong. Forms are not the law.

Anyone know any different on this - because as far as I can see there is no way a two-year condition can be established.

[90s]

Hi there, actually I DID read thoroughly all your (and other) threads about it, and I know it is possible, as you and many have done it.

... and I was not just referring to you!

[Lucy]

... and I was not just referring to you!

Well I've just re-read (for about the tenth time) the ltsa website, and I see where I got confused. The two year rule seems to be if you are trying to convert WITHOUT doing the practical test. There is nothing to say what the story is if you are converting 'with' the practical. No wonder everyone has a different experience.

When I was in the office, they rang the LTSA and were asked to ask me if I'd had my licence for more than two years, of course I said yes, so the computer told them to book me in for a practical.

Now I am interested in what it would have said if I had said 'no I only just got it.'

[HungusMaximist]

Sounds to me like you CAN convert the license,(having held it less than two years) but you are required to take the practical full test to do so.

I'm going to Raro in February, the license is an added bonus. I'm planning to ride on it for a most of a year, then I'm eligible to sit my full license normally. Are there any insurance issues driving a >250 on the Raro license?

You'll get a few problems, the insurance being one, test riding dealership bikes and private sellers'.

The other thing is that if you have a normal New Zealand car licence (only car) but you also hold an overseas motorcycle licence, apparently you are not allowed to ride bikes until you get it converted that's because you have to adhere to your NZ licence conditions (weird, yes). :eek5:

However, if you only have an overseas licence then that's O.K.

[lanci]

You shoulda just listened to 90s and I...........:whistle:

[Tank]

Seriously - for all the effort of getting a Raro license - its easier to just get dispensation on your NZ license.

Takes 28 days to get - and then you can go directly to your full.

You avoid all the problems you are mentioning and its a lot easier to get test rides and insurance.

C

[toebug]

Hell at the end of the day just get your bloody licence like a normal person living in NZ! Serve your licence time and you might live longer..

[90s]

Seriously - for all the effort of getting a Raro license - its easier to just get dispensation on your NZ license.
Takes 28 days to get - and then you can go directly to your full.
You avoid all the problems you are mentioning and its a lot easier to get test rides and insurance.C

Good point. I was writing a case for myself when I went to Raro for work and just thought it was easier to do it this way ...
(and in a recent tidy-up I found my old Belgian licence tucked into a book in the end anyway ... :doh:)


Hell at the end of the day just get your bloody licence like a normal person living in NZ! Serve your licence time and you might live longer..

Its not about that for us overseas people who have been riding 20 yrs but lost our old licences or failed to convert them in time - a kicker for sure.
But litrebikes for Raro noobs - yes its a bit sus!

[Lucy]

Raro licences seem to be a money making business for the islanders.

an showed his licence, the policeman turned it over, read the back and then gave it back and waved us on. Not a word about it being a Raro car licence!

At least it's only $10 bucks. Licencing here is a much bigger money making business - check out how much it costs for the scratchy test these days!

I got a licence to drive a heavy vehicle after a 'two day' 'course' - ONE and ONE HALF HOURS actually practising and driving the thing, and a WHOLE BLOODY DAY on filling out a log book, (which, by the way I had already been tested on once for a P endorsement but as the testers weren't NZQA registered it 'didnt count'.) Grrrrr.

I am sure the fact that you at least had some sort of Raro licence was why he let you go. The week we were there there was a blitz and they got ten people who had been too cheap to pay the $10.

:doh:

[Lucy]

Good point. I was writing a case for myself when I went to Raro for work and just thought it was easier to do it this way ...
(and in a recent tidy-up I found my old Belgian licence tucked into a book in the end anyway ... :doh:)



Its not about that for us overseas people who have been riding 20 yrs but lost our old licences or failed to convert them in time - a kicker for sure.
But litrebikes for Raro noobs - yes its a bit sus!

All good points. I am just trying to save a few bucks as I seem to have paid a lot in licencing fees over the last few years.

Will not be getting a litre bike in the near future.

[iceqwn]

I've just got my learners a week ago and heading off to Raro in 2 weeks time and will be getting my licence over there! Will see how i go getting it converted over 2 nz full licence (not that i dare to drive anything bigger than a 250cc etc will just save alot of $$$ and time since i'm under 25).. Will post up how i get on with the conversion process..

[Lucy]

I've just got my learners a week ago and heading off to Raro in 2 weeks time and will be getting my licence over there! Will see how i go getting it converted over 2 nz full licence (not that i dare to drive anything bigger than a 250cc etc will just save alot of $$$ and time since i'm under 25).. Will post up how i get on with the conversion process..

Good on you. With any sort of Beauracracy the thing you need most is patience! And finding someone in the office who understands their own rules.

The conversion can be done, you will need to do a full practical test. Be aware that the Cooks licence expires on your next birthday, so you will have 12 months after that to do it. I'd feel safer doing it when it wasn't expired though, but that's just me - a chicken.

[Krudler]

iceqwn - how did you get on converting your Raro licence?

[Bruiser]

Just got back from our annual Raro hols and, seeing it's been a year since our last trip, thought I'd give kb'ers an update.

They have doubled the cost of the Raro "souvenir" license to $20. I chose to pay for the new 5 year option at $50, so I don't have to queue for an hour every bloody time we go there for a few years.

There was a new law in place on 1 April 08' that helmets were compulsory and nobody bothered to say anything so it was written into law. Then the cops starting hammering locals at $100 a time for not riding with helmets so the whole island went up in arms about it.

So the Raro government capitulated, of sorts, and the rule was changed so that helmets were compulsory at 40 kmh or higher. Seeing as most of the locals ride dodgy old runners that wouldn't go any faster anyway, they are happy again riding helmetless, including the pillions, many of which are youngsters.

Now the cops are pinging all the young hoons, and tourists, who get caught doing 41kmh or more, for a $100 donation to the local economy. And apparently you have to pay up or your bike is confiscated on the side of the road. Bit of a problem if it's a renter!

The practicals I saw being done in October were the same as always, out the police driveway, right into Avaroa rd to the only roundabout on the island (about 500 metres), around and back to the station. They were pushing them thru at about ten an hour and a solid queue the day we were there.

And this was the funniest sight we saw there this time (Oct 08'). Check the full 20kg gas bottle the pillion is holding. :eek5: