Update on Raro licenses and the new helmet rule

[Bruiser]

Posted this in the Wannabe section here but thought it might get lost there by most so repeated it here as and some may want to see whats happening up there now.

Just got back from our annual Raro hols and, seeing it's been a year since our last trip, thought I'd give kb'ers an update.

They have doubled the cost of the Raro "souvenir" license to $20. I chose to pay for the new 5 year option at $50, so I don't have to queue for an hour every bloody time we go there for a few years.

There was a new law in place on 1 April 08' that helmets were compulsory and nobody bothered to say anything so it was written into law. Then the cops starting hammering locals at $100 a time for not riding with helmets so the whole island went up in arms about it.

So the Raro government capitulated, of sorts, and the rule was changed so that helmets were compulsory at 40 kmh or higher. Seeing as most of the locals ride dodgy old runners that wouldn't go any faster anyway, they are happy again riding helmetless, including the pillions, many of which are youngsters.

Now the cops are pinging all the young hoons, and tourists, who get caught doing 41kmh or more, for a $100 donation to the local economy. And apparently you have to pay up or your bike is confiscated on the side of the road. Bit of a problem if it's a renter!

The practicals I saw being done in October were the same as always, out the police driveway, right into Avaroa rd to the only roundabout on the island (about 500 metres), around and back to the station. They were pushing them thru at about ten an hour and a solid queue the day we were there.

And this was the funniest sight we saw there this time (Oct 08'). Check the full 20kg gas bottle the pillion is holding.

Pic here

[fergie]

Did you spot that lime green chopper cruising around?

[Salival]

Fuck I went past cops at about 60ks no helmet, no problem. I was sketching out though, I don't like scooters!

The law was definitely in place while we were there as the locals mentioned it. Apparently their police force only have one radar though, but it's a pretty small island!

[Bruiser]

Did you spot that lime green chopper cruising around?

Saw two harleys up there this time, the son of a high-born royal there and one other paid up. One was t-boned and is waiting repairs, the other is seen often riding the 35 min ride around the island on weekends.

As an aside, there is a vicious tax on vehicle imports into Raro. The tax is almost nil on anything under 50cc, and anything bigger than 400 (might be corrected on the exact number), the custom excise laws mean a 200% of the value of the import is charged.

A couple of years ago a deal was struck with a group wanting to import some harleys. The deal was they were to take pillions on tours at least once a week, for this they were given dispensation for the 200% tax.

A few months later the gummint checked and none of the owners were providing the service promised, so they all got letters advising either pay cash now at the original 200% value of each bike, or export them off the island now!

I understand that all but two of the bikes had to be exported as the owners didn't have the required funds to pay the tax.

[Racer X]

So what happens if you are caught with no license?