Rarotonga license practical test

[Lucy]

Hello, just thought I'd play a wee game of 'State the feckin obvious' for anyone going to Raro for the purpose of getting a licence. I've read a few threads here that mention 'paying $10 and riding around the cops front lawn'. It's NEARLY that simple, but not quite. I didn't do the practical, (as I already have a 6L), but MrLucy had to do it, and he was the only one out of four on his test ride to pass.

One guy just raced off, so the cop couldn't see him ride, and had to fail him.

One lady indicated once and the indicator remained on for the rest of the ride, so she failed.

The third person failed for another unkown reason.

The test involved riding along the main road through town, going around a roundabout, and then going back through town. Pretty simple, but you do need to remember the Number one rule (as told on Brotown)

"DON'T BE A DICK"

I shall be reporting back on how I get on with the conversion process.....

[Taz]

What was the number one rule again.... I've forgotten Where am I? Who am I? oh I don't know!!!

[HungusMaximist]

I'd be quite interested in hearing how it goes and how the conversion process back in NZ.

I hear you need some official transcript/document to prove it isn't fake.

Of course, the other rule is to remember is that you better have a damm good reason from never having a bike licence and to having a full and then riding away in NZ on some fast ass performance bike.. !!!

[Delphinus]

When you get back to NZ, get the conversion form before going up to the counter. Its a DL5 from memory and fill it out completely so the operator doesn't have to think too much.
First LTSA office I went to put up a fuss and said I needed a signed letterheaded letter from the raro police outlining what test I had to complete. I thought that was a bit steep, but the 2nd AA I went to put it through no trouble at all.
(Note: LTSA Helpdesk said its all fine so not sure why the first outlet didn't have a bar of it)
Then you just sit a full practical test and bob's your uncle.

Let us know how it goes Lucy

[Lucy]

Yes I shall report back asap, not sure when as currently my bike is in Wellington and I am not. Boohoo.

It seems as though everyones experience is different, I have just read the thread about the proof from Raro re the test, if they insist on that I'm in trouble. And yet I heard of one person (in Tauranga I think) who didn't even have to do the practical here - someone in the office just swapped it over! I'm not expecting to be that lucky.

Oh and Hungusmaximus - the only 'fat ass performance' on my GN is me, but thanks for your concern.....!

[Minnie]

Hi Lucy, yes i'll be interested to see how you get on with conversion as well, we were refused in puke, i now have full so need to worry , but Mr Minnie is still buzzing round on his raro license and really should convert his if he can.

[Delphinus]

Yup just keep trying AA offices till you find someone who will do it

[UberRhys]

Hello, just thought I'd play a wee game of 'State the feckin obvious' for anyone going to Raro for the purpose of getting a licence. I've read a few threads here that mention 'paying $10 and riding around the cops front lawn'. It's NEARLY that simple, but not quite.

Pretty simple, but you do need to remember the Number one rule (as told on Brotown)

"DON'T BE A DICK"

Hehehe, my boss just came back from holiday and told me that story. Funny shite. He said when he got his there was a pomm there who was kicking up a stink that his name wasn't spelt correctly to which the large islander woman said with an attitude "Does it matter?"...

[barty5]

ha ha ha it still the same test then i did the same test way back in 1985 in Raro glad to see things havnt changed then again what could there is only one round about and no traffic lights.

[Lucy]

Ok, to convert an overseas licence you must have held that licence for at least two years. So apparently it is not possible, and if that's the only reason you are going to Raro, then don't.

[lanci]

"You don't have to sit the practical test if:

you have a licence from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom or the United States of America, and

your licence is current (or has expired within the past 12 months), and

you've held that licence for more than two years."

So what I take from that is that if you meet any of the above criteria you don't have to sit the test.

To summarise, I know people that have converted the license, all they had to do was the theory and practical test, the 2 year issue simply isn't.

[Lucy]

[QUOTE=lanci;1326898your licence is current (or has expired within the past 12 months), and

you've held that licence for more than two years."

.[/QUOTE]


If you go to Raro and get a licence, it will be new, ie you won't have had it for two years. As far as i can tell that IS the issue.

[Morcs]

yes but it will be valid in NZ for one year (from when you entered the country.)
Then try and convert it.

[MarkyMark]

Sounds to me like you CAN convert the license,(having held it less than two years) but you are required to take the practical full test to do so.

I'm going to Raro in February, the license is an added bonus. I'm planning to ride on it for a most of a year, then I'm eligible to sit my full license normally. Are there any insurance issues driving a >250 on the Raro license?

[lanci]

I'm pretty sure the only thing about the 2 year issue is having to sit the practical test (as per my quote). Also in Raro, you have to get re-issued a license every year, meaning in theory you can't hold one for more that 1 year.

Anyhow, you can do it as I have booked in for later this month.