Is getting a motorcycle licence in NZ too difficult?

[Lou Girardin]

They just don't bother going through the process as there is no way to tell if a driver is driving an innappropriate vehicle, or disobeying license conditions, short of stopping everyone under 20.

No, we couldn't have the cops waiting near schools, stopping all cars with groups of school kids in them. Could we?
All the speeders would go crazy at 3.30PM.

[dhunt]

No, we couldn't have the cops waiting near schools, stopping all cars with groups of school kids in them. Could we?
All the speeders would go crazy at 3.30PM.

Actually, the school I push bike past every day there is normally a cop car (around 9 oclock) there which I think is actually quite useful. This should be done more often.

[rogson]

Lets be realistic, we will never get the "greys" as Lou puts it (and pollys) to encourage people onto bikes by implementing friendlier, less time consuming, less costly, etc., licensing procedures.

I note the frustration (often expressed in this forum) that many have with unfriendly rules/regs/roads toward motorcyclists. You can bitch all you like but the only way to change it is to get enough political clout to become an effective lobby - i.e. more motorcyclists!

The appropriate boby to do something is the motorcyle distribution/sales industry - after-all its in its interests. Free lessons? Low cost learner bike rentals? I don't really have any good ideas, but others might.

[Salival]

Hmmm..

I have mixed feelings on this.

I'm under 25 and last week sat the CBTA restricted course. As an aside, I think it's stupid that though I have sat and passed the restricted licence test with a qualified instructor/tester, I have to mail in my certificate and wait anything up to a full two weeks to remove my L plate. I passed the test. What's the deal??

Anyhoo...

I've found the courses I've taken very rewarding and informative, and wouldn't be without them. My only gripes with the licencing systems currently: the 70km/h speed limit for a learner should be 80km/h, minimum. And the 10pm-5am ban on restricted licence holders should be waived if you have a full car licence - possibly have to have held it for a year or something.

I think the 250cc maximum is probably a good thing. I'd kill to go out and buy a supersport 600 - and I have the money, too - but I'd die and I know it, and I'm sure countless others with no real experience on bikes would suffer the same fate. Pillion passengers are another issue - is a 250 really big enough to cope with a pillion? I know it can be done, but ideally you'd want a bike you didn't have to blow the nuts off to get moving if you're carrying that kinda load....

*shrug*

I just have to wait another nine months, I guess. As long as I keep my licence clean.

[vtec]

Its a pain in the ass this system... Effectively you go through all the road skills tests and waiting periods that most of us had already done in cars.

IMO I reckon if you have your full car licence, you should just have to do the Basic Skills test to get your full motorbike licence, as we've already jumped through the same hoops to get our car licence so we are aware of all the road rules already. The Restricted and Full Tests that we sit have absolutely nothing to do with motorbike handling skills, they are just a repetition of what we did in the car, showing that we are able to observe road rules and hazards.

There should be a system of upgrading from car licence to motorbike licence that involves only showing that you have bike handling skills.

The current system should only be used, if the person applying does not hold that level of car licence already.

If you've got your learner's car licence you should just have to do the basic skills motorbike test. And if you've got your full car licence you should have to do another more comprehensive skills test.

If you ask me I'm right about this and the LTSA are a thoughtless bunch of PC morons. Grow a few braincells, or make me Prime Minister so I can do the thinking in this country. Also like to add that there are lots of other smart people on this site.

[texmo]

I have just booked in to sit my restricted licence test, I have been on my learners for three and a hlaf years. Just havent been bothered I didnt run a L plate, and cops never really bother with scooters have been pulled over once after 10pm and the cop let me off with a warning.... The only reason I have bothered to sit my restricted is because of insurance and as a courier I have to have it, being on my learners makes ita whole lot more expensive $1200 I have to pay out if I have a crash and claim, If I do my restriced it goes down a lot. Also I intend on getting a bigger bike 400-600cc for couriering because in one years time I can go to main ( thats like from hamilton to wellsford I think ) instead of inntercity and you can make a lot more money there.

As for the CBTA or what ever it is I spoke to a guy yesterday about it, I cant do it have to of had my restriced for 9 months before I can apply and I need a clean driving slate... give me a break.

[Monsterbishi]

I have just booked in to sit my restricted licence test, I have been on my learners for three and a hlaf years. Just havent been bothered I didnt run a L plate,

Just make sure you have a L plate on for your test, or you won't even get past the pre-test check without being failed and have to fork over more $$$ to re-sit.

[texmo]

FUCKING HELL STUPID TART ON PHONE DIDNT BOOK ME INTO QUAY STREET WHAT A STUPID MOTHER FUCKER!!!! now I am $48.80 down stupid slapper Just posted in for a re-fund if I dont get my money fucking small claims court and waste there time FFS

[mstriumph]

"choose to be .........."??

[FzerozeroT]

Next month will be my 11th year on my learners, biggest problem is that when I don't have a bike I can't sit the tests, when I do have a bike it's a sub250 and I think, meh, why bother I can't afford a bigger bike anyway and the two times I did book to do my restricted I was too busy riding 1000cc+ Harleys, GSXR's and SV's at work to turn up.

[mic-nsr]

fully agree with the person who said car drivers should have to spend time on a bike !!!!! donno where sum of these aresholes get their licences!

[Macktheknife]

See there was a nice commnet in the auckland harold yesterday, soem idiot at the AA recomended that people shouldn't start riding bikes to conserve fuel cause you were up to 80 times more likely to be injured..... arsehole.
If some of the wankers who drove cars were more competent and actually looked before the changed lanes, began overtaking etc then bikes would be a lot safer, perhaps the AA should encourage defensive driving and trying improve the standard of driving
Actually the best thing would be for all car drivers to have to spend a compulsory 2 years on a bike before they were allowed to drive a car

I have been saying for about 20 years that the only way to get our roads safe for bikers is to make everyone ride a bike for 2 years before they are allowed to drive a cage. Not only would this save a shiteload on gas but also stop total dickheads with pots of money driving around in superspeed death traps that cost $45 grand and have no insurance! Besides this, cage drivers would never forget the feeling of being totally VULNERABLE to collision, hopefully making them much more aware of those of us who prefer to ride everywhere. Besides there is a good chance that Darwins law would start to have a beneficial effect on those who should never have made it into the gene pool!
Anyway, thats my bitch session over with. I feel so much better now! lol

[cowboyz]

I have said for years that the tests should be tougher (and more "on road" experience) and the time frame should be scrapped all together. No point waiting 18 months on your licence just for waiting. If you are compenent the you should be able to get your licence.

[Gremlin]

Speaking of on road experience, when I was sitting the BHS with John Wright, I asked him what sort of courses there were to improve your skills, didn't care if it reduced the license or not.

The only one he mentioned is a totally theoretical course done at local high schools. No practical skills gained, but it knocks your restricted from 18 months to 12. Crazy I reckon. No display of road skills but you can shorten your license...

Soon I will go do that course up at Whenuapai airbase. Everybody says it is brilliant...

[Phenoix]

Yea, There is/was a total theory one, which O thought was pointless too, I belive that there is now a practical one, but everytime the LTSA changes people, they change the procudes with bikes and slip in something new.
The time period with bikes matches that of a cage so is fair, but it is a different class of lience, not a NEW lience.If you have a full cage lience, you already know about blind spots, ect so it should match the current over 25 critera for ALL people where if u do a training cource, you can have your full bike in about 6mths from your Learners.