$400 for no "L" plate?

**red mermaid** · 26th November 2009, 12:46

Originally Posted by White trash

Yeah it does seem a bit harsh, but the lawmakers have really decided to crack down hard on breach of licence conditions offenders, hence the huge rise in the fine coupled with the demerit point tax.

They've got to get nastily tough and show no tolerance to the boy racers to stop them killing each other and unfortunately, aren't interested in hearing excuses.

I feel partly to blame. I spent 12 years on my learner licence. Breaching the conditions carried I think a $150 fine, that's it. People, myself included, took the micky for too long. Some 18 year old punks out there have over $30K racked up in fines.

It never was $150, you used to get your learner period extended.

There is talk at New Zealand Transport Agency, who are the people with the Ministry of Transport who actually write the laws and decide the fines, to drop the fine lower but raise the demerits to something in the region of 35-50 points.

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 26th November 2009, 12:49

Originally Posted by jetboy

Well I got a ticket yesterday for not displaying an L plate - $400!!! Is this normal or am I getting ripped off?

How the hell do they justify $400? I have a license, bike's up to scratch etc.

I take responsibility for not displaying a plate, but this seems a bit excessive to me.

He obviously pulled you over fo something else... cop wouldn't know from the number plate if a learner is riding it or not...

**Badjelly** · 26th November 2009, 13:06

Originally Posted by jetboy

I was turning into the street I live in when he pulled me. I was meeting a mate at mine (also not displaying an L plate) and he happened to ride past me/the cop as he was writing out my ticket, and parked at my house. The cop finished with me, pulled in behind my mate and gave him a $400 ticket too!

I bet that made his day.

I don't suppose that's any consolation, is it?

**Bassmatt** · 26th November 2009, 14:00

Shit that is a real bummer i reckon the cop must be an arsehole, i dont know anyone who has been done for that around here. I got pulled over on my 650 for doing 119k in a100k zone, cop questioned me about riding a 650 on a learners licence but didnt even mention the L plate. Got stung for the speeding and let off everything else.
Hard luck man

**White trash** · 26th November 2009, 14:08

Originally Posted by red mermaid

It never was $150, you used to get your learner period extended.

There is talk at New Zealand Transport Agency, who are the people with the Ministry of Transport who actually write the laws and decide the fines, to drop the fine lower but raise the demerits to something in the region of 35-50 points.

Ahhh, you're correct. That's why we never did a friggen thing about it.

**crazyhorse** · 26th November 2009, 14:14

Originally Posted by NighthawkNZ

He obviously pulled you over fo something else... cop wouldn't know from the number plate if a learner is riding it or not...

If you are riding a 250 or less, than chances are, you would be on a L plate or restricted. In HB the smaller bikes do get picked on, and checks are done on those sorta things. My son was pulled over for not displaying his, however, it was under his seat and had broken - thankfully he was let off (outside our address too)

But its no different than boy racers and the likes being pulled over and ticketed for passengers etc.

Besides, the cop obviously wasn't filling his quota for the day, and it was bit rude of him to then persue your mate too

**jrandom** · 26th November 2009, 14:21

Originally Posted by jetboy

I take responsibility for not displaying a plate, but this seems a bit excessive to me.

It occurs to me, y'know, that crashing while riding outside one's licence conditions might call into question the validity of an insurance claim.

**Ixion** · 26th November 2009, 14:25

Probably difficult for an insurance company to show that lack of an L plate was material (Insurance Reform Act 1977). Other breach of conditions would be more of a risk- fairly easy to argue that riding a > 250cc bike on an L was material - manifest inexperience, lack of qualification etc . Ditto pillion.

**crazyhorse** · 26th November 2009, 14:27

Originally Posted by Ixion

Probably difficult for an insurance company to show that lack of an L plate was material (Insurance Reform Act 1977). Other breach of conditions would be more of a risk- fairly easy to argue that riding a > 250cc bike on an L was material - manifest inexperience, lack of qualification etc . Ditto pillion.

yes, but if your licence dictates that you require one, and one is absent from the vehicle, they could get you on a technicality - anything to not have to pay out.........

**DingoZ** · 26th November 2009, 14:48

Originally Posted by jrandom

It occurs to me, y'know, that crashing while riding outside one's licence conditions might call into question the validity of an insurance claim.

Certainly does. Cause all they have to do is get a hold of the police report if they attended the crash and it would show all details....

Ie rider crashed, was on such and such a license, did not have plate dispalyed etc etc etc...

**scumdog** · 26th November 2009, 15:25

Originally Posted by jetboy

Thanks for the list Ixion!

I guess this is just a very expensive lesson

I'm really REALLY surprised a person of your age/licence class did not know this - most others I've spoken to seem to have absorbed that kind of knowledge..

**The Everlasting** · 26th November 2009, 15:28

Upon reading this,I am actually gonna take the scooter down to the mall and get me a L-Plate right now!!!

I had no idea the fine was this harsh!!

**Maki** · 26th November 2009, 15:31

Blah, $400 for not displaying L plate, and $400 for riding above 70 in a 100 zone is just highway robbery. Sorry you got victimized by revenue gatherers.