Licence questions

**Deviant Esq** · 25th April 2006, 19:07

I suppose this thread is as much for anyone else who wants to know as it is for me... I'd like to know what's involved in each licence test along the way. I'm on my learners, been riding since the start of the year (see my profile for a pic of my bike), and soon I'll be thinking about going to do my restricted test. But I just realised, I have no idea at all what's involved. Can someone please enlighten me? And since I'm no doubt not the only one wondering, what's involved in the full licence test as well? Perhaps we could make this a licence F.A.Q. stickied for newbies into the future...

**Sniper** · 25th April 2006, 19:19

drop it off sometime.I have a LTSA booklet explaining everything. I'll f

**Stevo** · 25th April 2006, 19:46

Restricted Test: When you pay your hard earned $$ they give you a time and place for your appointment. In some cases it is not a traffic cop, but just a private contract. Need to put your L plate back on, and be on a 250 or less bike. (Of course). The tester will tell you a route for your test, which usually doesn't go on the open road. Simply follow their instructions and you will be absolutely fine. No need to fear the test.
Tips: Check mirrors regularly
Look over shoulder if changing lanes, or before pulling away from curbs. (May be easier to leave your neck scarf or whatever behind to make easier)
Be sure to indicate the minimum 3 seconds etc.
Be sure you can do a U turn on narrow street with feet up. (remember to look over shoulder etc)

Tis not fearful, but if you feel tense just take a few deeep breaths and slowly exhale. They are looking at your technique, eg the looking over your shoulder thing to make sure you're not going to get cleaned up by some unobservant cage. Exaggerate the checking your mirrors, ie. be sure to turn your head, not just flick your eyes, as the tester cannot tell if you are checking them. As with most things it is common sense. Good luck!

PS: I never sat my full licence as such as I did a CBTA course.

**Stevo** · 25th April 2006, 19:47

It can't be that difficult! Look at how many idgets there are on our roads

**OMG** · 25th April 2006, 19:51

Originally Posted by Stevo

PS: I never sat my full licence as such as I did a CBTA course.

My full licence test is pretty much the same as what Stevo described for the restricted (did it about a month ago) - I didn't do the restricted test cos I did the CBTA for my restricted.

**Blairos** · 25th April 2006, 19:51

Here is the LTSA take on whats in the test...

http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/licensing/mo...ical.html#what

**Ixion** · 25th April 2006, 20:16

There has been very recently (beginning of this month I think) a major change to the Restricted test, which now follows a similar format to the full test. The effect of this will probably be more marked in the case of cars than bikes, which testers always have trouble with anyway. But, be prepared for it to be a bit tougher than it may have been for some in the past.

As others have said, follow the rules, exaggerate, and (IMHO) look "competant". I suspect that this latter is what they look for in a bike restricted, since they cannot really see what you are doing as they can in a car when they are sitting beside the driver. Basically, don't make them think "O-err is he going to fall off" , nor "O-err he's a bit hairey ".

Don't forget to make sure all your lights and such work, they check that, and that you have a WoF.

Unless you have really bad luck and get a ratbag tester you are sure to pass, very few people ever seem to fail the bike tests (as compared to quite a few failing in cars).

Good luck

**Stevo** · 26th April 2006, 00:25

Originally Posted by OMG

My full licence test is pretty much the same as what Stevo described for the restricted (did it about a month ago) - I didn't do the restricted test cos I did the CBTA for my restricted.

Cept they definitely go on the open road for the full I think. I am not sure whether you are supposed to do 100 or 70 on the open road when sitting the restricted????? I asked my tester and he said don't worry we'll be just in town. If the tester's route includes a bit of open road or 80 km/h it may pay to ask. Technically if you pass then you can 100 on the way home even though prior to that you're only sposed to do 70 max. May depend on the tester (I don't know).

**cowboyz** · 26th April 2006, 08:02

i did my full test a little while ago. Had to borrow a GSX250 to do the test on. went for a little ride round town and then spent about 10km out of town. At least I didnt have to worry about speeding cause for a while there I wasn't sure the gsx250 could do the speed limit let alone exceed it. Make all your moves *very* obvious and all is good. And don't forget the stupid roundabout signalling rules. They like to moan about stuff like that.

**OMG** · 26th April 2006, 09:10

Originally Posted by Stevo

Cept they definitely go on the open road for the full I think. I am not sure whether you are supposed to do 100 or 70 on the open road when sitting the restricted????? I asked my tester and he said don't worry we'll be just in town. If the tester's route includes a bit of open road or 80 km/h it may pay to ask. Technically if you pass then you can 100 on the way home even though prior to that you're only sposed to do 70 max. May depend on the tester (I don't know).

I only had to go on a 70kph road (not a 100kph), but I'm sure it depends on what roads are convenient to where you are sitting your test.

**Rosie** · 26th April 2006, 09:40

Originally Posted by Stevo

Cept they definitely go on the open road for the full I think. I am not sure whether you are supposed to do 100 or 70 on the open road when sitting the restricted????? I asked my tester and he said don't worry we'll be just in town. If the tester's route includes a bit of open road or 80 km/h it may pay to ask. Technically if you pass then you can 100 on the way home even though prior to that you're only sposed to do 70 max. May depend on the tester (I don't know).

I think you'd have to go at 70, because you are still on a learner licence, and only allowed to go 70, even in a 100km/h zone.
I'm interested to know how strict they are with your speed during the test. I read somewhere that you are supposed to be within 5km/h of the speed limit, but must never exceed it, or you'll fail. My speedo only gives a vague approximation of the speed you are travelling at, so if they are going to be strict about the speed you travel at, I could be in trouble.
But I've got until August to sort it out.

**Ixion** · 26th April 2006, 14:27

-10 to +5 eg 40 to 55kph in a 50. But it's not so bad on a bike, cos it's hard for them to match your speed exactly. Only danger is if you or the tester have speedos that are well out.

**Rosie** · 26th April 2006, 14:43

Originally Posted by Ixion

-10 to +5 eg 40 to 55kph in a 50. But it's not so bad on a bike, cos it's hard for them to match your speed exactly. Only danger is if you or the tester have speedos that are well out.

I have a speedo that is way out. It reads 120 when I'm doing 95-ish. I have a general idea if I'm doing 50/70/100 km/h, but not sure if that is accurate enough for a test.

**JimO** · 26th April 2006, 14:49

was booked in for the test, turned up and the cop said "where is your car" i said im here for a bike test he said " well im not following you around in a car so piss off around the corner" he walked around to where i was , made me do a figure 8 between the gutters without putting my feet down then i had to do a emergency stop, that was it ..took 5 mins yeha