Bloody AA!

[hazard02]

Went to go book for my full licence test today. I've had my restricted for more than a year and I have completed a defensive driver's course. Can't go wrong right? Wrong. I did the course to get my full car licence, but as I didn't have my bike restricted at the time, it can't count towards geting my class 6.
"You wouldn't have been applying the knowledge you were learning in the course to bike riding." was a reason I was given. Apparently it doesn't matter that I've been applying it ever since I recieved my motorcycle learners.
So what can I do? I can pay ~$180 and do the exact same course again, and get another copy of a certificate I already have, or I can stick it out for 6 more months.

It makes no sense to me, and lack of sensible reasoning makes me mad!
Looks like its going to be a while before I get to upgrade...

[/rant over]

[Ixion]

Are you over 25? If not, sorry you're out of luck the law says that you must have had your restricted of the appropriate class for 6 months before the course.

If over 25, then whether you held the 6R (or even 6 anything) at the time is irrelevant.

The reason put forward by AA hads no standing in law.

Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Rule 1999
Part 4 Learner licences, restricted licences, and full licences (r 15 to r 19)
Full licences
19 Obtaining full licence

...

Class 6 (a) If under 25 years of age, holds and has held a Class 6R licence for either—
(i) At least 18 months; or
(ii) At least 12 months if the applicant provides a certificate showing successful completion by the applicant of an approved course of a type specified in clause 93(a) undertaken at least 6 months after the applicant's restricted licence was issued
(b) If 25 years of age or over, holds and has held a Class 6R licence for either—
(i) At least 6 months; or
(ii) At least 3 months if the applicant provides a certificate showing successful completion by the applicant of an approved course of a type specified in clause 93(a)
(c) Passes the full licence test required under clause 48

I have heard of this before. If you a re over 25 AA are wrong. Tell them to call the LTSA helpdesk.

EDIT: But be aware that the course can only be used once. If you used it to fast track your car licence you can't use it again. This is not a matter of law, it's the stupidity of the LTSA system. When you apply with a certificate, they tear off the "stub" from the certificate. Without the stub it is not valid. and will not be accetped for a second go. Which is stupid.

[hazard02]

Yeah I'm under 25 so I just have to deal with it. As I understood it, the "at least 6 months after the applicant's restricted licence was issued" part was to ensure that the applicant recieved sufficient experience under the restricted licence conditions after completing the course before they applied for their full. As I see it, I have the experience and the knowlegde, I just didn't get them in the right order.

[hazard02]

When you apply with a certificate, they tear off the "stub" from the certificate. Without the stub it is not valid. and will not be accetped for a second go. Which is stupid.

Kinda strikes me as "get out of jail free card" arrangement.

[Colapop]

Just book a quick trip to Rarotonga for the same price (as you course - or near about) pay $6.50 and get your full that way... $40 or $50 to change it over once you get back...

In the long term scheme of things 6 months is nothing - be patient.

[The Pastor]

is there anyway to get a nother certificate? i've lost mine

[Ixion]

Yes, You can get a replacement certificate. Apply to the AA.

I have wondered if this would be a way round the "We've already torn off the stub so it's no good" problem.

[poorbastard]

Had the same problem. Pissed me off too.

Just had to wait the extra 6 months

[Drum]

Bloody hell, that's bureaucracy gone mad!

[Filterer]

Join the club

[Deviant Esq]

Just book a quick trip to Rarotonga for the same price (as you course - or near about) pay $6.50 and get your full that way... $40 or $50 to change it over once you get back...

I wish I hung on to my Cook Islands licence... didn't realise at the time it could be used to fast track getting your full. Ah well.
Boffins: In Ixions post it says that if you're 25 years + and have held your 6R licence at least 6 months, you can go for your full. When it gets to November (my 25th birthday) I'll have had my 6R over a year but under 18 months. Under this rule can I apply to sit my full as soon as I've had my birthday?

[Ixion]

Yep. should be good. You are 25 years of age or older. so you must have held a 6R for six months. Which you have. In theory you can go for the full on your 25th birthday .Maybe. Not sure, I think maybe you'll need to be 25 when you book, so a few weeks after your birthday.That's not law, but I suspect their computer system will bitch if you try to book when you are under 25.

[Deviant Esq]

Cheers Ixion, yeah, thought that might be the case. Still, it's not going to stop me from trying to book it for my birthday! The earlier the better, and nothing ventured, nothing pinned to the wall by a nailgu... never mind.

[Nasty]

Your problem is weird ... since it doesn't matter what you did the defensive driving course for ... you just have to have one .... e.g. I did an AA DD course .. and they made me go out in a car not on a bike for the practical ... so am thinking they are full of it .... try booking at another AA ... and keep you mouth closed about the whys and wherefores

[Smoggie]

Six months will soon pass. Patience is a virtue as they say.