Licence test on a scooter?

[Nat]

I've got a 100cc scooter, can a friend of mine borrow it to sit his restricted licence test? Its easily powerful enough to keep up with traffic, and you can go on the motorway with it too..

Anyone know?

Or should I just phone the LTSA??

[Matt_TG]

You probably could use a 100cc scooter as it's over 50cc, therefore it's a bike that needs more than just a car licence. In order to ride it without a L plate you would need at least a restricted licence, and to stay within the law if you carry a pillion you'd need to be on a full licence so I reckon you would be ok with it. Ring LTSA though, to be sure.

[sefer]

Will be ok as long as it goes fast enough.

You actually can use a 50cc for your test as well, as long as it's not reg'ed as a moped, but you can (and people have) be failed for not going fast enough. And no, the fact that you can't go any faster will not get you around that one :)

[davereid]

I asked the LTSA this question - you can even use a moped if you want !. I was a litle suprised, but I asked the question several times, and got the same answer.

[Blue Velvet]

Will be ok as long as it goes fast enough.

You actually can use a 50cc for your test as well, as long as it's not reg'ed as a moped, but you can (and people have) be failed for not going fast enough. And no, the fact that you can't go any faster will not get you around that one :)

Yes, my friend narrowly escaped failing their restricted after going below the limit in a 70kph zone.

[UberRhys]

Will be ok as long as it goes fast enough.

That is the golden rule as far as I can see. You need to be able to attain motorway speeds and this is where the penny drops.

[Pancakes]

Wouldn't it need gears? DOn't you get and "Auto" condition on your car licence now if you sit the test in an auto?

[Nat]

Sweet as! That's really cool. Even motorway speeds aren't a problem, it maxes out at like 95, and the motorway around the city is all 80 zones and loads of traffic as well.

Thanks for the info everyone!

[Warren]

Wouldn't it need gears? DOn't you get and "Auto" condition on your car licence now if you sit the test in an auto?

No, you won't get any restriction on your restricted licence if taking the test in a bike without gears, unlike doing the 1R with a automatic car.

[Pancakes]

Well I think they need to change that.

[Harry33]

Could you do a full licence on a scooter?

[EJK]

Could you do a full licence on a scooter?

I doubt it if you are talking about 50cc scooter :laugh:

[Matt_TG]

Some of these new big 'scooters' are 650 odd cc's and don't have gears so it's not a issue

[Warren]

Could you do a full licence on a scooter?

Yep, you can even do them on hogs nowadays as long as it is 250cc or below.

As above the LTSA will even allow mopeds (what most 50cc scooters are classified as) for licence tests as well as motorcycles (50cc to 250cc, including more powerful scooters which are classified as motorcycles).

[Ixion]

There is some misinformation here.

These are the rules from the LTSA website (http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/factsheets/59.html)


Pre-test roadworthiness check

You need to provide the motorcycle that you'll ride for the test. (Note that you must sit the test on a motorcycle, not a moped or all-terrain vehicle (ATV).)

Your motorcycle will be checked for roadworthiness before the test begins. If it isn't roadworthy - even if it has a current WoF - the test won't proceed and you'll need to book and pay for another test. (The test fee won't be refunded.)

The roadworthiness check includes:

* Licence label and WoF: The motorcycle must display a current licence label and a current WoF label.
* Tyres and wheels: The motorcycle's tyres must have legal tread depth and no uneven wear. The wheels must appear undamaged.
* Indicators: The indicators must operate correctly and all lenses must be intact.
* Brake lights: The brake lights must operate correctly and all lenses must be intact.
* Headlights: The high and low beams must operate and the lenses must be intact.
* Horn: The horn must operate satisfactorily.



So you must take the test on a MOTORCYCLE. This rules out mopeds (and the requirement for a WoF would also). As the quote explicitly notes. And it must be under 251cc, because as a L or R licence holder you may not legally ride anything larger.

But the distinction between a scooter and a motorcycle is irrelevant, the law knows nothing of scooters. So long as it has two wheels, and is 51cc to 250cc it qualifies. Note that SOME 50cc or under machines may also qualifiy because they develop sufficient power that they are registered as motorcycles, not mopeds.

An interesting question does arise.

The LTSA say that the machine you present on must have functioning lights, indictaors and brakelight. What would happen if someone presented on a pre 1978 bike, complete with WoF and rego , and working headlights etc., but no indicators or stop lights? Not 'there but not working', just none at all. Pre 1978 vehicles are not required to have indicators or stop lights for a WoF, and cannot legally be deemed unroadworthy because of their absence. The rider would have to use hand sgnals of course, but that is still perfectly legal (Incidentally, it is still legal to give a hand signal instead of using your indicators, the law simply requires that you 'signal', and a hand signal is a valid signal in law). I imagine it would be an interesting discussion, but I think that the LTSA would have no legal grounds to refuse to carry out the test.

[davereid]

Thanks for the (as usual) accurate and well researched post. I'll ph LTSA again, as I have been informed (clearly incorrectly) that a moped was ok for the test.

[Pancakes]

+1 Ix,

Common sense says if the bikes legal and your legal (hand signals etc) all should be fine. I can see one of the due for retirement AA testers spazzing out tho!

Still recon they should have the gears condition. BIG DIFFERENCE!

[Ixion]

Interestingly, only the fact sheet for the full Class 6 contains that phrase. Not the 6R.

But, the law is even more explicit.



Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Rule 1999
Part 8 Theory and practical tests for driver licences (r 45 to r 55)

50 Practical driving test not to be completed using certain vehicles

No practical driving test may be taken on a moped, all-terrain vehicle, or special-type vehicle.




Which would be rather a problem if someone ONLY had a moped? How do you get a licence? You would either have to borrow a car (and learn to drive it) and get a class1, or borrow a 'proper' motorcycle (and learn to ride it!)

Another interesting point is that the above Rule also explicitly includes motorcycles with sidecars as "legitimate" motorcycles.

So, a mid 60's Vespa, with a sidecar, but no indicators or brake lights. That should really make a testers day.

Also interesting is that the restriction regarding the 250cc limit does not apply to the Basic Handling Test. So you can take that on a GSXR1000.

And as someone noted the 'auto' thing does not apply to motorcycles.

[Dutchee]

I would've hoped the law had changed regarding scooters.
I got my full m/c licence on a Honda nifty fifty and argued about it then. Bloody stupid. I couldn't believe there wasn't a different class for them. I didn't have a car licence and couldn't get a car licence on the scooter, but could get a bike one.
I remember saying, so I can now legally jump on a GS1000 & kill myself, not knowing how to ride, but I'm legal. The answer was yes.
When I first started riding real bikes a few years back, I got pulled for lanesplitting & the cop commented that I'd had my bike licence for years and should've known better. I had to defend myself & say I'd been riding for a couple of months ;)
I still think it's stupid and something should be noted on the licence.

[Pancakes]

Not knowing who to control the bike doesn't kill you, speed does. Or aren't you listening? hehehehe. Someone with their full on a 50 who test rides a CBR1000RR might find out too late what opening the throttle does a bit too late.


Graduated power classes and group handling tests for licence steps then an additional time and class (6+ or something) for bikes over 120 HP?

Too sensible aye, ah and speed kills.

[Steam]

What would happen if someone presented on a pre 1978 bike, complete with WoF and rego , and working headlights etc., but no indicators or stop lights? Not 'there but not working', just none at all. Pre 1978 vehicles are not required to have indicators or stop lights for a WoF, and cannot legally be deemed unroadworthy because of their absence.

I did my full test on my bike which had no front brake light, the switch on the lever was broken.
When the tester spotted this I quickly extemporised and said "it was built that way, it only had a rear brake brake light, as before 1985 the rules only said you needed to have a functioning brake light, not one for each brake."
Total bollocks but the tester accepted it, luckily!

So I guess they are happy and aware of people doing tests on old bikes.

[Dutchee]

Not knowing who to control the bike doesn't kill you, speed does. Or aren't you listening? hehehehe. Someone with their full on a 50 who test rides a CBR1000RR might find out too late what opening the throttle does a bit too late.


Graduated power classes and group handling tests for licence steps then an additional time and class (6+ or something) for bikes over 120 HP?

Too sensible aye, ah and speed kills.
I wouldn't have managed to even get going as a scooter has no gears or clutch. Just jump on it, twist & go.
They have an auto class for cars, should have for bikes, too.
I could have gone to any bike shop, taken any bike for a ride but would've had to ask how to ride ;)
I had a serious argument with someone at my work (my supervisor) because he knew I had my bike licence & couldn't understand I did not want to take the courier bike to the other end of town because I did not know how to change gears etc. I did tell him I'd take my scooter if need be (it was a 250 by then).
I have been asked, when I've had to take company cars out if I knew how to drive a manual or if I only drove auto's. (I've only had 1 auto car & hate them).

[Subike]

So I can use my little AC50 suzi mavrick! 49cc's of highway cruzin power!
woot woot, full riding gear the whole shebang.....wonders
And you say It must reach the road limits where posted....complys ear Watson 61MPH flat out!!! lol, exceeds it!
Look out I might accually get a licence lol