Restricted license test? Piece of piss!

[bugbug]

Last week I took my restricted license test (at 730 am on the first day of eligibility) and I can honestly say that It was almost an anticlimax. In the interest of full disclosure, I barely put on a 1000 k on my L license, mostly riding around town on weekends. The first time I ever sat behind the controls of a motorcycle was at the Hamilton motorcycle training school (upon which I simply cannot heap enough praise). It took me maybe 4-5 Sundays before I felt ready to take the initial skills test (those damn cones!!!) and then winter came along which didnt really encourage riding. Long story short, the restricted license test was nothing more than a spin around town. The examiner was the epitome of professionalism and was in no way intimidating or condescending. In fact, for my 'u' turn test, I tipped the bike over but was able to stabilize myself by putting my foot down. My immediate impression was that I failed the exam but the examiner rationalized this hiccup by stating that my bike was probably too small for my size (6'2 , 94 kg on a Kawi GPX 250 'ninjette') and helpfully suggested that I apply for a dispensation and get a bigger bike. Bottom line? Dont sweat the test!

[McDuck]

I will go in and book mine then :)

[Rosie]

Congratulations :D

[007XX]

Congrats :2thumbsup

I do wonder however if such a lovely officer could be found on the North Shore? :blink:

[autos]

congrats, see you on the road:banana:

[Street Hawk]

if ya from the shore sit your tests in orewa much more laid back less traffic and its a general round town (40k) ride then up to hatsfield def worth the gas




Congrats :2thumbsup

I do wonder however if such a lovely officer could be found on the North Shore? :blink:

[Coyote]

I failed my restricted twice :pinch: (though the second time was mechanical failure).

I had a Nazi from the AA do my first test. The new roundabout indicating laws just came out and I swear I was following them but the tester didn't think so (the roundabout wasn't straight through, it was slightly to the right so I should've indicated to the right going into it). I also failed for doing a 3 point turn in a road 3/4 the size of my turning circle at full lock instead of doing a full U-turn. And I had to be looking at the mirrors more than looking ahead of me.

Full licence was piss easy. "Yep, perfect, here's your licence. And I'll just cut up the old one"
"But I want to keep it"
"Too late, that's the law now anyway"

[007XX]

if ya from the shore sit your tests in orewa much more laid back less traffic and its a general round town (40k) ride then up to hatsfield def worth the gas

Oh definitely! I used to live up there about 10 years or so ago...I sat my restricted for car licence while heavily pregnant and the officer there was just so lovely! I was so nervous, but he got me a lot more settled by chatting with me...

I miss living up there :yes:

[PrincessBandit]

congrats. I was told too that the restricted would be a doddle and it pretty much was. Sat mine as soon as my 6month L period was up and was a little apprehensive about what to expect. Had a lovely testing officer too who followed me in his car. Gave feedback at each stop he got me to make. Ditto for my full which I did 7months after my R. Great testing officer who gave me advice etc. before embarking on the test. I don't remember having to do a u-ey though expect for my full (and I had a touchdown with right foot arrrrgh - still passed though and he never said a thing about it). If you get a nice examiner it helps, but if you get a horrible one rely on your own confidence to see you through - you'll be sweet. (Just remember all the "little things" like indicating before you pull out from the kerb etc. cos those are the sorts of things that are easily forgotten if you're nervous).

[grusomhat]

congrats. I was told too that the restricted would be a doddle and it pretty much was. Sat mine as soon as my 6month L period was up and was a little apprehensive about what to expect. Had a lovely testing officer too who followed me in his car. Gave feedback at each stop he got me to make. Ditto for my full which I did 7months after my R. Great testing officer who gave me advice etc. before embarking on the test. I don't remember having to do a u-ey though expect for my full (and I had a touchdown with right foot arrrrgh - still passed though and he never said a thing about it). If you get a nice examiner it helps, but if you get a horrible one rely on your own confidence to see you through - you'll be sweet. (Just remember all the "little things" like indicating before you pull out from the kerb etc. cos those are the sorts of things that are easily forgotten if you're nervous).
7 months after R? Is that over 25 and defensive driving course?

[PrincessBandit]

7 months after R? Is that over 25 and defensive driving course?

Nah, just over 25 (by a wee bit :lol:). For over 25s you can get it shortened to 3 months if you do an approved course. I was happy to settle for the 6 months of experience; it gave me time to build my confidence more. I did double check at the AA that I was entitled to sit my full and the girl at the counter said it would have pinged me straight up if I'd been trying to sit before the minimum R period.

[Boob Johnson]

Sounds great, I just booked mine in a few days ago for next Monday :innocent:

[ynot slow]

Sounds great, I just booked mine in a few days ago for next Monday :innocent:

Don't use the RF LOL,best of luck mate,you'll piss in.:2thumbsup

[Boob Johnson]

Don't use the RF LOL,best of luck mate,you'll piss in.:2thumbsup
lol cheers Tony. Got a Honda Jade on loan from NP motorcycle centre, was out riding with the owner on Sunday, bloody top bloke :niceone:

[fireball]

the AA guys out west are pretty good... i will be using them when it comes time to do mine.....:niceone:
not that there is anything wrong with an L plate :pinch:

[McDuck]

I just booked mine. Next test date? 21st of jan.Bugger :(

[lefty]

Sat restricted and full in westgate auckland. both times i got this little hitler, that only said 2 things, licence and bike.
But it was ok. Sat my full in the rain, drenched but happy cause I'm legal.
Don't sweat it, get out on ya ride, practice, practice and more practice and every thing is cool.

[TOTO]

if ya from the shore sit your tests in orewa much more laid back less traffic and its a general round town (40k) ride then up to hatsfield def worth the gas

Do you know the address or at least the suburb (or is there only one place in orewa?) Of the test.:baby:

[Street Hawk]

yeah AA in orewa right across the road from mcdonalds theres only 1 really good place to do it someone at land transport told me they have the highest pass rate the test takes you around side streets n down centerway rd for the 50 km test but youd be lucky to hit 50km which is really handy for not having to worry bout maintaining 50 km then its up to either red beach but most likely to hatsfield beach (70km) and up a road to your right as you go over the hill before hitting hatsfield beach its a resonably wide culdesac rd just indicate loads dont break the speed limit and chuck a bright sticker on the back of your helmet (helps the tester to see you check your mirrors) i did mine on a borrowed of road bike i never rode before and passed just take your time n don't do anything tupid you'll sail through it n have your licene in no time - he full test funny enough was almost identical as restricted only difference was went to waiwera same road as the hot pools pulled into gravel carpark, and rode back easy as ... hope it helps check out the posts theres heaps of good tips that even if you don't use on your test will only make you a better rider but most of all use common sense

[TOTO]

Great Stuff, I'm booking my restricted here tomorrow.

Many Thanks.

Be safe:)

[Wiki Drifter]

did mine at Quay st AA. Piss easy, did a few 8s in a parking lot then on to some quiet back streets with no traffic. A few up hill starts but that was no problem. Total time for the test was around 15mins, luckily the tester didn't notice I had no gear shift pedal :lol:

[Badger8]

Anyone sat their's around sylvia park / mt wellington area with good reports? tryin to decide whereabouts to do my R in the new year

[rwh]

I just booked mine. Next test date? 21st of jan.Bugger :(

It can be worth shopping around. For both of mine, I was told I had to wait some weeks. I asked if I could get it sooner if I was prepared to go further, and in both cases got it within a much shorter time by going to Masterton (where the test was also very cruisy compared with some descriptions I've seen here).

Mind you, one of the people I tried booking with got rather impatient with me when I was asking her to search around, and refused to look very far. I ended up rebooking through a different office (in that case, AA rather than VTNZ). Since it can therefore presumably be rebooked, it might be worth a try for you too?

Richard

[bigfoot]

So I got my restricted a couple of weeks ago. Piece of piss ....too right.
Went down to the AA on Quay St. The left earpiece didnt work at all. The other one gave crystal clear sound, not that of what the instructor was saying to me, but rather some local radio gibberish. End result, a 2 minute ride around the block, followed by me ripping up my L plates. "We make allowance for shitty radios" is what she said ! Only to have my bike stolen 2 weeks later :doh:

[Jerry74]

Easy test especially if the give you an earpiece radio ... good luck

[Bren]

any way to go from learner to full in one foul swoop...
...my learner dates back to about 1987...and i am too much of a procrastinator.

[Jerry74]

any way to go from learner to full in one foul swoop...
...my learner dates back to about 1987...and i am too much of a procrastinator.

I did my learners in 93 and had to sit restricted this year, only have to wait 6 months before you can do full being over 25 etc.

But if you do a defensive driving course it can be shortened to 3 months.

[DarkLord]

Last week I took my restricted license test (at 730 am on the first day of eligibility) and I can honestly say that It was almost an anticlimax. In the interest of full disclosure, I barely put on a 1000 k on my L license, mostly riding around town on weekends. The first time I ever sat behind the controls of a motorcycle was at the Hamilton motorcycle training school (upon which I simply cannot heap enough praise). It took me maybe 4-5 Sundays before I felt ready to take the initial skills test (those damn cones!!!) and then winter came along which didnt really encourage riding. Long story short, the restricted license test was nothing more than a spin around town. The examiner was the epitome of professionalism and was in no way intimidating or condescending. In fact, for my 'u' turn test, I tipped the bike over but was able to stabilize myself by putting my foot down. My immediate impression was that I failed the exam but the examiner rationalized this hiccup by stating that my bike was probably too small for my size (6'2 , 94 kg on a Kawi GPX 250 'ninjette') and helpfully suggested that I apply for a dispensation and get a bigger bike. Bottom line? Dont sweat the test!

Good to hear mate. Did you have a radio on your ear? I did mine yesterday morning and although I passed I couldn't hear sweet fark all out of the radio so I had to rely on watching his indicators when we were meant to turn. I went the wrong way a few times but still passed, having radio problems was obviously something that has happened before!

[Sparrowhawk]

Any one know of a good testing place around Papakura?

[DarkLord]

From what I've heard there's only 3 in the whole Auckland area. Browns Bay on the North Shore, Orewa and Westgate.

I was actually amazed at how quickly AA were able to organise the test. I booked my licence on Friday the 22nd of August and sat the test the following Monday morning. I was expecting to have to wait quite a while so I was pleasantly surprised with how prompt it was.

[Imbray]

Good to hear mate. Did you have a radio on your ear? I did mine yesterday morning and although I passed I couldn't hear sweet fark all out of the radio so I had to rely on watching his indicators when we were meant to turn. I went the wrong way a few times but still passed, having radio problems was obviously something that has happened before!

Had a radio for both my R & Full, lots of wind noise :Pokey: not alot of voice, tester said they hate them but are beening forced to use them,( oops dropped it, dam still works :mad:)

If your'e looking for timimg ect book on line, you can have a good look around at what avaible, inculding changing place/ time after your'e booked, I was booked in Hamilton but changed on line too Te Awamutu as could get in 2 weeks sooner :apint:

[Slyer]

I sat my restricted car in orewa... got told off many times but still got it. :P

[Solly]

Congrats, well done....ride safe

[pc220]

Sat my restricted a few weeks ago in tokoroa. Went in on a wednesday to book and did the test two days later.My test involed riding 50m to a roundabout through it another 100m then told turn around and head back.Total distance covered for test about 300m. Sweet

[CookMySock]

Thread bump.. For those who are doing their restricted test shortly, I just blew mine out of the water. Did about six intersections and got told I was wasting the examiners gas, and that I pass, and to go back. Heh, so I lay it over hard around the next corner and blast off down the road leaving the examiner in my wake.

Time jawing about the bike/exemption etc, 20mins, time doing the test, 5mins. Me, 15,000 kms on my learners, touring all over the north island on a 650. He was not a happy chappy when he saw the 650 though. I told him "see ya in a couple of weeks for my full test" - he didn't look very impressed with that either. :2thumbsup

Don't worry about the restricted license test, its a total doddle.

Steve

[Slyer]

He was not a happy chappy when he saw the 650 though.
He probably wouldn't have minded if it wasn't a hyosung.

[fire eyes]

Thread bump.. For those who are doing their restricted test shortly, I just blew mine out of the water. Did about six intersections and got told I was wasting the examiners gas, and that I pass, and to go back. Heh, so I lay it over hard around the next corner and blast off down the road leaving the examiner in my wake.

Time jawing about the bike/exemption etc, 20mins, time doing the test, 5mins. Me, 15,000 kms on my learners, touring all over the north island on a 650. He was not a happy chappy when he saw the 650 though. I told him "see ya in a couple of weeks for my full test" - he didn't look very impressed with that either. :2thumbsup

Don't worry about the restricted license test, its a total doddle.

Steve

Congradulations Steve!!! Big Hugssssssss :hug:

[CookMySock]

He probably wouldn't have minded if it wasn't a hyosung.hahahaha

Steve

[Slyer]

Oh yeah I forgot to say congrats.
Seriously all the hyosung-bashing around here gets to you, they're turning me into one of them.

Tsk tsk for learning on a 650 though!

[CookMySock]

Tsk tsk for learning on a 650 though!But why ? I had no problem with it. I'm old enough to know how to manipulate my wrist properly. :cool: It's just heavy, but I never dropped it on the road.

I think anyone who already knows how to ride a motorbike, has years and years of roadcraft, and is strong physically, can learn on a big 650 vtwin tourer. It was a hell of a lot more fulfilling than learning on a 250 thats for sure. I wouldn't have stuck with it if I had to do it on a 250.

Steve

[<Rhino>]

Exactly three months to go in my learner period, just looked at the calender and we go away for christams holidays a couple of days before I can sit - no bike were we going so will have to wiat till we get back.....

Unless.......

I book it in Dunners, and take a bike for a 'test ride' from a local shop....:msn-wink:

[Slyer]

2 months of having my learners and I still don't own a bike.

[Griffin]

Unless....... I book it in Dunners, and take a bike for a 'test ride' from a local shop....:msn-wink:

If you do that then make sure you either find a shop that sells the same make / model you already ride... or you have a good hour or two riding on it prior to your test to get used to it.

Nothing worse than turning up for a test on a bike your not familiar with...

[littlegixxer]

folks on my case to book mine, 15,000 ks and 2 and a half years on my learners, going hard as often as possible :2thumbsup

[BiK3RChiK]

folks on my case to book mine, 15,000 ks and 2 and a half years on my learners, going hard as often as possible :2thumbsup

Mate! Get your restricted! It's a piece of cake!! You'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner...

[CookMySock]

@littlegixxer, just do it bud, its silly-easy, and then you wont get busted for no L plate and over 70k's (700bux!)

Steve

[colz30]

just quick question im going for my drivers test on 20th of august is there anything i should need to no about before i sit the test like is anyone gone for there drive in orewa can you please let me no what its like and is it a easy drive im going for my restricted and im going for the drive at 8 clock in morning is it always best to go for your drive in the morning rather then the afternoon thanks.