Rarotonga license practical test

[90s]

You guys should really read thoroughly the other threads on this along with descriptions of the process.
Having lost my Belgian bike licence I got:

a 6L in Aug 2006
A Raro licence in Nov 2006 (paid $10 no test as had 6L)
Jan 2007 converted by taking the full pratical test

It really is that simple - not everyone is informed about the process so keep trying as suggested until you get someone who understand the process. If you don't have a 6L or 6R you probably would have to take the NZ theory as well.

End.

[lanci]

90s is right and this is the point I was trying to get across, you can do it.

[Maha]

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"

We were there a couple of months ago and couldn't beleive the amount of people waiting outside the cop shop to do their licence. I saw one chic go straight through a stop sign stupid little things that can make you pay more and do it again...."DON'T BE A DICK"....Good advice!

[Lucy]

You guys should really read thoroughly the other threads on this along with descriptions of the process.
Having lost my Belgian bike licence I got:

a 6L in Aug 2006
A Raro licence in Nov 2006 (paid $10 no test as had 6L)
Jan 2007 converted by taking the full pratical test

It really is that simple - not everyone is informed about the process so keep trying as suggested until you get someone who understand the process. If you don't have a 6L or 6R you probably would have to take the NZ theory as well.

End.

Hi there, actually I DID read thoroughly all your (and other) threads about it, and I know it is possible, as you and many have done it.

I'm talking about legally and technically, when you read the application, (and Lanci's post) they state that you must have had the overseas licence for at least two years. It's written on the form, as well as on the website and everything else official I've managed to track down.

The trick is not to find someone who understands the process, the trick is to find someone who is willing, (deliberately or through ignorance), to misunderstand the process. All the info gets entered in the computer, which then tells them what to do, (sit a theory, and/or a practical depending on your 6L status for example).

At least that is my experience. I explained to the lady that I had had my licence for more than two years and that the date on it was the last time I had it renewed because I'm pretty sure that otherwise it would have been a case of:

"The computer says No"

90s, what did they say to you about the two years or more condition?

[Lucy]

We were there a couple of months ago and couldn't beleive the amount of people waiting outside the cop shop to do their licence. I saw one chic go straight through a stop sign stupid little things that can make you pay more and do it again...."DON'T BE A DICK"....Good advice!

Yeah people seem to think that because Helmets aren't required, that no other road rules do either. Doh, why do they think there is a test?
Here is a transcript of a conversation we heard between the lady taking applications, and three young guys from NZ.

"Have you got a NZ car licence?"

"Yes, but I forgot and left it at the hotel"

"You're not lying are you? You sure you've got a car licence"

"Yes"

Points to two guys behind him

"Are you with those guys?"

"Yes"

"If they also left their licences at the hotel I am going to send you to prison. Do you want to go to prison?"

"No"

"So tell me again, have you got a NZ car licence?"

"No"

Hangs head and shambles off.

[Delphinus]

When was the 2 year rule added? I'm sure when I did it it wasn't in any of the forms etc.

Going to raro is still possibly worth it though, being able to ride any bike on the raro license for 12 months, after which you should have your NZ full.

I explained the full details to my insurance broker (Kiwibike Insurance) who were happy with me riding on the raro license for a while

[Silverfern]

Raro licences seem to be a money making business for the islanders. We were there 8 weeks ago, both of us had full bike licences but decided not to spend an extra $10 for us both to get a Raro licence each, when the same $$ could buy 2 cans of beer. Ian duly went in, waited 20 minutes, got a smiling happy picture taken, then when he went back and picked it up, I discovered it was for a car licence only! We had already rented the scooter so thought what the hell, the police station was packed with scooter boys and so away we went. On our last night there, we came around the corner near the airport and guess what - a checkpoint! I kid you not. All the locals got waved through - no checking of their licences (or WoF or Rego which most of the vehicles wouldn't have had anyway) and then they got to us. Ian showed his licence, the policeman turned it over, read the back and then gave it back and waved us on. Not a word about it being a Raro car licence!

[90s]

Hi there, actually I DID read thoroughly all your (and other) threads about it, and I know it is possible, as you and many have done it.

I'm talking about legally and technically, when you read the application, (and Lanci's post) they state that you must have had the overseas licence for at least two years. It's written on the form, as well as on the website and everything else official I've managed to track down.

The trick is not to find someone who understands the process, the trick is to find someone who is willing, (deliberately or through ignorance), to misunderstand the process. All the info gets entered in the computer, which then tells them what to do, (sit a theory, and/or a practical depending on your 6L status for example).

At least that is my experience. I explained to the lady that I had had my licence for more than two years and that the date on it was the last time I had it renewed because I'm pretty sure that otherwise it would have been a case of:

"The computer says No"

90s, what did they say to you about the two years or more condition?

Fair enough - I saw that you had read through some of the old threads, but there are loads of them, and they clearly establish it is possible.

Now, there is an ammendment to the licencing law proposed (14 September 2007, http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/consultation...7/q-and-a.html) that will scrap (if approved) the need for overseas licence holders to sit the NZ theory - from a list of approved countries.
However, there is nothing in the legislation and rules I could find (ie. http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/factsheets/56.html) that has any power to say you must have had an overseas licence for a fixed period before you can convert it. You MUST convert licences within 12 months or you loose the right (as happened to me) to convert it, but there can be no obligation to have had the licence for any time.
It works like this - as a visitor to NZ you may ride on an overseas licence up to one year. The year resets (and I checked this as this is another recent change to the rules) every time you come back into the country.
Their can be no "licence only is valid if you have had it for ...) a full licence is a full licence, end of story.

Having said this, I was unable to download a DL5 anywhere to check the wording. I would like to, so if you could scan a copy and post it pls do.
I think it may be a case of odd wording or even an error on the form - because it is a case of finding people who know the process because if what you say is correct the form could be wrong. Forms are not the law.

Anyone know any different on this - because as far as I can see there is no way a two-year condition can be established.

[90s]

Hi there, actually I DID read thoroughly all your (and other) threads about it, and I know it is possible, as you and many have done it.

... and I was not just referring to you!

[Lucy]

... and I was not just referring to you!

Well I've just re-read (for about the tenth time) the ltsa website, and I see where I got confused. The two year rule seems to be if you are trying to convert WITHOUT doing the practical test. There is nothing to say what the story is if you are converting 'with' the practical. No wonder everyone has a different experience.

When I was in the office, they rang the LTSA and were asked to ask me if I'd had my licence for more than two years, of course I said yes, so the computer told them to book me in for a practical.

Now I am interested in what it would have said if I had said 'no I only just got it.'

[HungusMaximist]

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?

You'll get a few problems, the insurance being one, test riding dealership bikes and private sellers'.

The other thing is that if you have a normal New Zealand car licence (only car) but you also hold an overseas motorcycle licence, apparently you are not allowed to ride bikes until you get it converted that's because you have to adhere to your NZ licence conditions (weird, yes).

However, if you only have an overseas licence then that's O.K.

[lanci]

You shoulda just listened to 90s and I...........

[Tank]

Seriously - for all the effort of getting a Raro license - its easier to just get dispensation on your NZ license.

Takes 28 days to get - and then you can go directly to your full.

You avoid all the problems you are mentioning and its a lot easier to get test rides and insurance.

C

[toebug]

Hell at the end of the day just get your bloody licence like a normal person living in NZ! Serve your licence time and you might live longer..

[90s]

Seriously - for all the effort of getting a Raro license - its easier to just get dispensation on your NZ license.
Takes 28 days to get - and then you can go directly to your full.
You avoid all the problems you are mentioning and its a lot easier to get test rides and insurance.C

Good point. I was writing a case for myself when I went to Raro for work and just thought it was easier to do it this way ...
(and in a recent tidy-up I found my old Belgian licence tucked into a book in the end anyway ... )

Hell at the end of the day just get your bloody licence like a normal person living in NZ! Serve your licence time and you might live longer..

Its not about that for us overseas people who have been riding 20 yrs but lost our old licences or failed to convert them in time - a kicker for sure.
But litrebikes for Raro noobs - yes its a bit sus!