I miss it so

[parsley]

I've been introduced to this site by jrandom, with whom I have the honour to work with (ha!).

I'm a Pom who's been living in Auckland for the past year and a half and a bit. Haven't owned a bike since mine got flipped over the front of a car (yes, it hurt) in Manchester about 10 years ago, but I'm finally thinking about getting my wheels back. Hopefully there are a few other Poms here who might be able to help me out.

Back in the days of old I got an English provisional motorcycle licence and did the Part 1 test. Because I have a full car licence it never expired after 2 years like it normally does, so it's still on my licence. When they changed the system to Compulsory Basic Training my licence was converted, so I don't have to do CBT in England to get on a bike, but I still need to do the full test (the equivalent of the old Part 2) to get a full licence.

Does anyone know if it's possible to get this stuff converted on to a Kiwi licence? Or do I have to start from scratch again? I already have a full car licence here.

Anyway, greetings and salutations to you all and I hope to see you on the road soon.

Parsley

[riffer]

Gidday Parsley.

Yeah, that old 10 year itch. It sure does get you. I know it did me.

Welcome back to the fold. I don't know what you have to do to get the licence. Maybe go for the whole one again.

Look forward to hearing what you get.

[Joni]

Yeah I would be very interested in the answer too, I am currently on a SA license - the whole conversion process seems a little confusing to me as I am used to one license and thats it. I mean how many "levels" do you have to go through?

I dont think I could live being on a 250 for over a year...

Oh - and very welcome to the site - you will meet some nice people here. :spudwave:

[parsley]

I dont think I could live being on a 250 for over a year...

Well, back in England I was restricted to a 125. Not only that, but I managed to buy an East German bike - an MZ ETZ 125. It looked kind of odd because the frame was built to hold a 125 or 250 engine, but I could still thrash the pants off it and it was built like a truck. Unfortunately when the Berlin wall came down the factory shut and spare parts became incredibly expensive, which is the main reason it was retired after the accident.

[Joni]

Well, back in England I was restricted to a 125. Not only that, but I managed to buy an East German bike - an MZ ETZ 125. It looked kind of odd because the frame was built to hold a 125 or 250 engine, but I could still thrash the pants off it and it was built like a truck. Unfortunately when the Berlin wall came down the factory shut and spare parts became incredibly expensive, which is the main reason it was retired after the accident.

Strange how different countries handle it differently - SA is a bit like the US, you can learn on a 1200 if you want to, yes I know the practical side is not that advisable, but they dont restrict you. I learned on a 400, then bought a 250 and went back to a 400 later...

[riffer]

According to LTSA:

When do I have to get a New Zealand driver licence?

You can drive using an overseas licence or an international driving permit for a maximum of one year after you first arrive. You must then convert your overseas licence to a New Zealand driver licence.

Apply for a conversion to a New Zealand driver licence BEFORE the year has passed, to make sure you have one in time.

You will have to pass a theory test and, depending on the country you have come from, pass a practical driving test as well.

Forms to apply for an overseas licence conversion are available from LTSA driver licensing agents.

Driver licensing agents are participating offices of:

• New Zealand Automobile Association
• Vehicle Testing New Zealand
• Vehicle Inspection New Zealand, and
• On Road New Zealand.

[riffer]

Who doesn't have to sit the driving test?

If your licence comes from Australia, Canada, Norway, a member state of the European Union, South Africa, Switzerland or the United States of America and is current (or expired within the past 12 months), and you've held that licence for more than two years, you don't have to sit the practical test.

(You still need to pass the theory test. If you don't pass the theory test, you cannot drive.)

[Joni]

Who doesn't have to sit the driving test?

If your licence comes from Australia, Canada, Norway, a member state of the European Union, South Africa, Switzerland or the United States of America and is current (or expired within the past 12 months), and you've held that licence for more than two years, you don't have to sit the practical test.

(You still need to pass the theory test. If you don't pass the theory test, you cannot drive.)

Cool - , so what I get from what you said is... no practical for me, just the theory. Would I have to do it twice? Once for Cage, once for bike? Or would they double up?

[riffer]

Cool - , so what I get from what you said is... no practical for me, just the theory. Would I have to do it twice? Once for Cage, once for bike? Or would they double up?

When I went for my licence (theory) way back when, I sat the test, and then sat down with a traffic cop and got asked a few questions specifically pertaining to motorcycles. On successful completion I was awarded learners licences for both cage and bike.

So I guess it may still apply. Ask when you convert your licence. Worst that could happen is you have to sit the test twice I guess.

[Ms Piggy]

I've been introduced to this site by jrandom, with whom I have the honour to work with (ha!).

I'm sure "work" would be a term that would only apply very loosely to our Jrandom

Welcome Parsley :spudwave:

[parsley]

I'm sure "wprk" would be a term that would only apply very loosely to our Jrandom

Actually we spend most of our time shooting at each other whilst playing Wolfenstein - Enemy Territory. I think he claims it's a team-building exercise.

[jrandom]

Ground Control to Major Parsley...

Just buy a bike, you procrastinating Pom. Make sure it's fast, so that you can run away from any cops wanting to look at your license.

Right.

Must log off now.

Enemy Territory time.

[Ms Piggy]

Actually we spend most of our time shooting at each other whilst playing Wolfenstein - Enemy Territory. I think he claims it's a team-building exercise.

Oh I see, so you're just the victim huh

[Posh Tourer :P]

Cool - , so what I get from what you said is... no practical for me, just the theory. Would I have to do it twice? Once for Cage, once for bike? Or would they double up?

You'd have to do two - the specalist questions are different for each - 25 general, 10 specialist (or something similar)

[Posh Tourer :P]

Well, back in England I was restricted to a 125. Not only that, but I managed to buy an East German bike - an MZ ETZ 125. It looked kind of odd because the frame was built to hold a 125 or 250 engine, but I could still thrash the pants off it and it was built like a truck. Unfortunately when the Berlin wall came down the factory shut and spare parts became incredibly expensive, which is the main reason it was retired after the accident.

The fans were that big on the pot that you probably couldnt really tell

I learnt on an MZ ETZ250 - great bike to learn on, as long as the electrics worked :P Oh, and the headlight is the same size as a bedford one, so if you get a left hand one it passes a warrant. You can cook the headlight in the oven to separate the glass and reflector, but do *not* use handy andy poured into the unit to try and loosen the glue, it ruins the reflector....