Driving Licence Rip-offs

[Hawkeye]

Ok, I arrived from the UK 10 years ago. after 1 year had to get my NZ licence. Sat the scatchy, had an interview with PC Plod after having to get cert for eye test, and got my Licence for life (been driving on full cage for 20 years). 2 Years later they change the rules and I now have to apply for another Licence. Due to medical reasons, I fail the eye test again. (Don't have full binocular vison due to accident when I was younger, so have to get cert from opticians). Licence only valid for 2 years (to align it to '5th' birthday). 2 years later on my '5th' birthday, fail eye test so back to the opticians. Now got 10 year licence. 6 months later, buy bike. Need another licence. Need to take yet another eye test (which I fail). Back to the opticians. In 4 months time, I will apply for my restricted. Guess what? Another eye test (which I'll fail). Back to the opticians. 3 months later I apply for my full licence. You guessed it, yet another visit to the opticians due to failed eye test.

I've been in NZ for 10 years. Had to renew my licence 5 times up to now. Failed the eye test everytime so had to get cert from the opticians. Still got another 2 to go to get my full so......

Can someone tell me that this isn't just a revenue collection.
46% fail the eye test. The opticians are laughing all the way to the bank.

Just a note: From the horses mouth ie. the top eye specialist in NZ which I went to see the first time. 'You don't need full binocular vision to drive. Maybe I was wrong to recommend that machine!' Doh! do you think so!

[Pathos]

I secretly hold one eye closed at a time in the eye test... I can read the damn thing then.

The eye tests are stupid, they should just change it so you can to the eye test with the eye of your choice. But then again they aren't eye specialists and if your eyes aren't 'perfect' they need the word of a specialist.

prehaps save yourself the time and get the cert beforehand.

bugger about the law changes...but I've got 4 licences in the last 3 years myself...

[GR81]

our government is a joke... what more do you need to know?

[Motu]

My wife doesn't have binocular vison,but she only had to sit that one for the photo licence...and she knows how to ''pass'' the test.

[Hawkeye]

prehaps save yourself the time and get the cert beforehand.

It's not the time factor. I do get the cert first now. It's the cost of having to get the cert because I know I'm going to fail the test.
I only renewed my cage licence 6 months ago but when I went for my bike learners, I still had to pay for a new licence, pay for an eye cert and get a new photo and signiture. 6 months later I have to repeat the whole process for my restricted. 3 month later, repeat again for my full. So in a 15 month period I will have paid for 4 licences and 4 eye certs, had my photo taken and had to sign 4 times.

[Clockwork]

Makes you wonder what they were thinking. Obviously you don't need binocular vision to drive, otherwise people who are blind in one eye would never be able to get a drivers licence.

You might consider sending these details to your local MP or may be the Minister of Transport. Ask if they can justify the "binocular vision test" and if not, ask what they would consider doing about it.

[magicfairy]

fail eye test so back to the opticians.

A tip - if you know you will fail eye test (I would as I have poor vision on one eye) go to the optician first and get a fit to drive certificate. Present that when you renew and you won't have to do their eye test at all. Also my optician told me that the test you have to pass at an optician if you FAIL the eye test at testing centre is tougher than just getting the cert first.

[Grahameeboy]

Not a biggy, don't worry about it.....it makes sense from a safety point of view and we are not talking about big $$'s.

[Back Fire]

Not a biggy, don't worry about it.....it makes sense from a safety point of view and we are not talking about big $$'s.

It does add up though, and it is a hassle

[bugjuice]

that's real bad..
how long do the eye certs last for? can't you just use one for a few tests?

[Grahameeboy]

It does add up though, and it is a hassle

Geeze...........................

[magicfairy]

that's real bad..
how long do the eye certs last for? can't you just use one for a few tests?

You have to present one that is no more than 3 months old from memory. So I usually book in a few days before I renew.

[Clockwork]

You have to present one that is no more than 3 months old from memory. So I usually book in a few days before I renew.

Another inconsistency... everyone else's eye test is good for 10 years!!

[Lou Girardin]

The eye testing machines at the AA were known by the LTNZ to be inadequate from the start. But the stupid punters pay so who cares?

[MSTRS:Me]

Another inconsistency... everyone else's eye test is good for 10 years!!

....or until your renewal date, which ever comes first.