Licenses from UK to NZ

**Bikernereid** · 15th March 2008, 22:18

I was wondering if you have to apply for a Kiwi bike and car license if you emigrate to NZ from the UK or if it is ok to permanently drive on your existing UK one. I know that for HGV drivers coming the other way you have to start from scratch.

To work for Corrections you need a driving license so need to see about sorting this out asap. Know how slow red tape processes can be.

**MaxB** · 15th March 2008, 22:36

AFAIK you can drive for up to a year on a UK full licence then you have to take the scratch and win (multiple choice) and basic eyesight test. If you have a bike licence you have to answer 5 or 10 additional questions realated to bikes. Then they "convert" your licence to a Kiwi version valid for up to 10 years.

I passed my bike test in the UK whilst on my OE and had to suffer this on my return.

A passing pom has just told me that it is better to convert ASAP to get your insurance excess down. (Example $2000 down to $300). Also bring some proof of your no claims bonus because insurers here can be ignorant of your overseas driving record.

**fredie** · 15th March 2008, 23:39

im comming over soon with my aussie licence

**Bikernereid** · 16th March 2008, 01:58

I am considering doing my Direct Access for a bike in the UK but was wondering if it makes more sense to do it when I get to NZ. It seems a bit daft to make more work for myself. I will have to pay £40 for theory test and then £475 (cheapest I could find) for test.

Thanks for the info re no claims bonus as I have years worth over here. Will make sure that I bring it with me.

**owner** · 16th March 2008, 02:19

http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/, you sexy thang

**m99dws** · 16th March 2008, 07:09

Originally Posted by Bikern1mpho

I am considering doing my Direct Access for a bike in the UK but was wondering if it makes more sense to do it when I get to NZ. It seems a bit daft to make more work for myself. I will have to pay £40 for theory test and then £475 (cheapest I could find) for test.

Thanks for the info re no claims bonus as I have years worth over here. Will make sure that I bring it with me.

You can only take the scratch test and convert a UK licence category that you've had for more than 2 years. I did the car and bike test at the same time for $120.

**Bikernereid** · 17th March 2008, 04:49

For letting me know you have saved me loads of money. Just sucks that I will not be able to ride around Europe this summer and that OWNER will have to do all the riding.

Originally Posted by m99dws

You can only take the scratch test and convert a UK licence category that you've had for more than 2 years. I did the car and bike test at the same time for $120.

**GB biker** · 21st March 2008, 08:35

I am planning a biking holiday in NZ in dec 2008 for appox 4 weeks.
If i ship my own bike to NZ how do i get insurance to ride on your roads?

**Bikernereid** · 21st March 2008, 08:54

You should do a swap with my bloke as his bike is gonna be in NZ whilst he is in the UK (Save on shipping)

Originally Posted by GB biker

I am planning a biking holiday in NZ in dec 2008 for appox 4 weeks.
If i ship my own bike to NZ how do i get insurance to ride on your roads?

**YellowDog** · 21st March 2008, 09:09

Yup, it is a very easy test and you are allowed to get 3 wrong.

I did both bike and car at the same time. Practiced on a website to get 100% and the whole thing took 20 minutes. You have to take the same test twice though, and then you get supplimentary questions for bike and car.

If you have had either licence for less than 2 years, you can't convert it with a simple multiple choice.

I have heard about someone who did a UK direct access bike licence 12 months previously and blagged it through to a conversion. They only looked at the date he passed his car test and overlooked the fact that his bike licence was only 12 months old.

No point chancing it or wasting UK money when it will be far cheaper and less stringent (so I hear) in NZ.

**YellowDog** · 21st March 2008, 09:11

Originally Posted by GB biker

I am planning a biking holiday in NZ in dec 2008 for appox 4 weeks.
If i ship my own bike to NZ how do i get insurance to ride on your roads?

Your UK insurer will probably cover you. If not, the AA here do short term insurance. http://www.aa.co.nz

**surfer** · 21st March 2008, 09:18

I let my one year lapse so ended up having to do both car and bike tests in NZ. On reflection both car and bike tests in NZ are easier to pass than the test in the UK.

**Bikernereid** · 21st March 2008, 09:26

I have had UK car license since 91 so that should be ok. As for the bike, I looked at the NZ site and it aint so what with me being over 25 and all that. I know that if I do the advanced driving course it will knock my last 6 months restricted to 3 so not so bad after all.

Thanks for all ur advice chaps!!

**YellowDog** · 21st March 2008, 09:28

WOW - There's a lot of Poms on KB.

Do remeber, you can ride/drive on your UK licence for one year and the 2 year rule (for conversion) is from the date you apply for the NZ one. If you did Direct Access in the UK now, it wouldn't be difficult to get the 2 years to convert (the UK courses are excellent). If you leave NZ to go on holiday, your one year of UK riding/driving starts from when you re-enter the country (I did ask and received clarification of this from the AA testing centre). You could keep coming and going for years and not have to do an NZ test.

Just a factor to consider, though you would get a small levee on your insurance, plus the Police wouldn't be happy about not being able to put penalty points on your UK licence

**Matt** · 21st March 2008, 20:28

Originally Posted by YellowDog

...

I have heard about someone who did a UK direct access bike licence 12 months previously and blagged it through to a conversion. They only looked at the date he passed his car test and overlooked the fact that his bike licence was only 12 months old...

I know someone who did it 2 months before

- I don't think they ever check how long you had your bike licence...