Learner, restricted or full?

**aprilian bandit** · 11th September 2009, 06:41

Hi guys, I see a few points about licensing have been raised in posts about licenses but none have yet answered my question so I wonder if anyone will know the answer...

I've got full (UK) bike license, had it for 10 years so no worry on my conversion.

However, I've only had my full (UK) car license since June this year - whilst I can see that I will have to take a practical test, does anyone know what my license type would be afterwards? Would it be a full license or restricted?

Cheers in advance

**The Baron** · 11th September 2009, 07:24

Hi.

If you now hold a full bike and a full car licence in the UK you will not be down graded when you get here. You will get full bike and car licence.

I think you will like NZ bike roads.

**CookMySock** · 11th September 2009, 07:36

You can ride here on your UK full drivers licenses for a year or so. If you are going to stay, you should apply for your kiwi drivers licenses earlier rather than later - you just do the scratchie test I think. If you do any driving test, I cannot see why they wouldn't issue you with your full license immediately. The restricted test is just for learners.

Steve

**aprilian bandit** · 11th September 2009, 09:03

Cheers, yeah looking to stay long term so will apply as soon as I'm settled I think. Is there a different test for auto/manual?

Was just wondering as I've seen you have to have minimum periods on license types in NZ, but it does make sense that I'll get full license.

Can't wait to get over and sample the roads, but not sure if I'll be able to afford a bike at first

**NinjaNanna** · 11th September 2009, 09:44

You'll also need an official copy of your driving record, this may be easier to organise whilst you're still in the UK rather than via email/phone calls, once you are here.

There is a limit on how old the driving record can be when you go to change your licnese over (60days ???) so it might be worthwhile leaving it till the week before you fly

**b1unt3d** · 21st September 2009, 17:10

I figure I should just post in here rather than make a whole new thread for a similar question.

I plan on coming to New Zealand from Canada in a few months. I plan to stay around a year and am hoping to have enough cash to buy a motorcycle to use for the year. I have had my drivers license for 9 years and my motorcycle license for a year and a half. I was wondering if I should get an IDL (Internation Drivers License) before I come. Also, will I have full drivers and motorcycle license when I am there?

Second question is regarding insurance. I did a quote on the kiwibike.co.nz and it only asked me for my age but not for how long I have had my license. Is that quote a reliable amount even though I will be new to New Zealand? In Canada our insurance lowers as we accumulate years of experience driving, is it not that way in New Zealand? It also didn't ask if I had any speeding tickets or anything, do those not affect rates in NZ?

Thank you in advance.

**Pixie** · 28th September 2009, 08:22

The British driving test is quite comprehensive and you would have had to know your stuff to pass.
In comparison, the NZ test just requires you to know how to open the breakfast cereal box.

**BiK3RChiK** · 28th September 2009, 17:26

Originally Posted by b1unt3d

I was wondering if I should get an IDL (Internation Drivers License) before I come. Also, will I have full drivers and motorcycle license when I am there?

Second question is regarding insurance. I did a quote on the kiwibike.co.nz and it only asked me for my age but not for how long I have had my license. Is that quote a reliable amount even though I will be new to New Zealand? In Canada our insurance lowers as we accumulate years of experience driving, is it not that way in New Zealand? It also didn't ask if I had any speeding tickets or anything, do those not affect rates in NZ?

FWIU, you will have your full license if you currently have your full license.

I have full cover for my bike, and on my full license, because I'm over 25, there were no questions about speeding tickets (that I remember). Experience counts for little as far as insurance is concerned. If you are under 25, however, you will likely be asked about speeding tickets. I recently got a quote for my son, aged 16 on his restricted license, and they wanted to know what speeding infringements he had received and it affected both his premiums and his excess.

**scracha** · 1st October 2009, 03:49

Originally Posted by NinjaNanna

You'll also need an official copy of your driving record, this may be easier to organise whilst you're still in the UK rather than via email/phone calls, once you are here.

Don't think so. Neither myself nor my girlfriend had to do this. Just hand them your pretty pink euro style driving license card, they'll inspect it then you'll get a pretty green kiwi style driving license card.

Bring your vehicle insurance no claims certificates and your UK AA card as they both will save you money over here.

Re: scratchie: A chimp could pass this test. I sat the car and bike one back to back. There was just one question different between the two. Made even more laughable by the fact we'd spent two years legally driving / riding here prior to sitting the "test". It's a complete joke and nothing more than a stealthy immigrant tax.

Kiwi road surfaces and drivers will make you very nervous on the bike until you get used to them.

**NinjaNanna** · 1st October 2009, 09:50

How long ago did you get your licenses swapped over Scratcha?

I converted from an Australian license about 18 months ago and definately needed an official transcript of my driving record (ie infingements - of which I had none).

Maybe there are differences between exchanging UK and Australian licenses or perhaps one of us has done it more recently???