Abolish 70kph learners rule

[CB ARGH]

I extremely disagree with the 70km/h speed limit for learner motorcyclists. I chose to ignore the speed limit and travel with the flow of traffic, that doesn't mean overtaking vehicles travelling at 80km/h because I want to do 100km/h, I mean to just go the speed of the vehicle in the far left lane. This theory didn't pay off, as I found myself paying off a much larger problem, a $400 fine for exceeding 70km/h, I still have the ticket as proof if you choose not to believe me.

I feel safer travelling at 100km/h, as when I am travelling at 79km/h (you can go up to ten over), I am worried about the vehicles behind be, and I focus less on the hazards infront of me, and my overall riding experience.

This law needs to be changed ASAP. Not in a year, not in a month, not even next week, but TOMORROW.

If there were a protest, I sure as hell would join in.

[BiK3RChiK]

What I learned about this was that you get nowhere bleating about it on here! Best to talk to your MP or write to the NEW Transport Minister.. Yeah, the law is stupid, but there's a million (sic) posts on here already about it and nothing was ever done. If you're serious about it, then don't post on a forum, make it happen in the real world!

[Mully Clown]

This issue really gets me fired up, how does that condition increase learner safety at all? I tried sticking to it for about 5
minutes before I starting sketching out as cars flew past me over and over without giving me the slightest bit of room.

My L plate will never go near my bike while I still value my life.

Well it was never the intention for people on a learners license to be cruising on the highways. In saying that I don't have my plate on and ride to the conditions.

Must go book that restricted test in though.

[samgab]

I'm on my learners, and I do stick to the 70 limit (give or take 10K's), and I display an "L" plate; but it's very very dangerous going so slow on the motorway. I can't afford a $400 fine like CB AARGH got.
It's a dangerous, stupid law and it needs to go.
I agree with the CC limitation though.
I also agree that if one is allowed on the road at all, one should be allowed to travel at the posted speed limit of that road.
But I find it really dangerous traveling at 70 on the motorways, so I've booked in my restricted test for next week... Interesting to see that during the practical test on the motorway I'm allowed to go 100, according to the LTSA guidebook.

[speights_bud]

I quickly ditched the 70KM/h Rule, as i lived rurally on the Napier/Wairoa Road commuting into town (a good half hour at 100km) it was Farken Dangerous with the logging trucks and the likes trying to overtake you at 110km/h on the narrow'ish' roads (and YES they do travel at that pace on that road), and by narrow i mean a foot of loose chip seal between the white line and grass unlike a the nice motorways.

if a rider doesn't feel confident/capable then they shouldn't travel at any speed greater than is safe for them, keeping inside the speed limits of course, the 70km/h rule is not a speed limit as i found out once, it is a licence condition, so if mr Plod pulls you over for doing 120km/h on your learners he cannot pull your licence then and there on those conditions. just fine you an Additional $400 when i got pulled over Mr plod Giggled and said "gonna slow down to 70 and lets the traffic past aren't you from now on eh?" (good bugga!)

Oh and i always displayed an L plate...

[Ripperjon]

Just stump up 22 bucks and apply for an exemption you tight-arses!

That's what i did, as soon as i got the bike back here from Chch.

about a week later, i got a letter that said (more or less) "congratulations, you can now ride at 100kph as much as you like. Oh, and go and take your restricted whenever you want!"

Cheers

[Slyer]

What exemption is that? Didn't know there was one that allowed you to bypass the waiting.

[CaMo]

Had my learners a while now. Should really get my restricted. Hell I'd have my full if I got my arse into gear. Never had a L plate and never obeyed any 70km/hr rule. Been pulled up once with the old man for 111 on the motorway and athough was threatened large fines and consequences, only received a $80 ticket.

[rphenix]

Just stump up 22 bucks and apply for an exemption you tight-arses!

That's what i did, as soon as i got the bike back here from Chch.

about a week later, i got a letter that said (more or less) "congratulations, you can now ride at 100kph as much as you like. Oh, and go and take your restricted whenever you want!"

Cheers

The only exemption I've ever heard of is the 250cc clause.

[Ripperjon]

The application for exemption form is pretty much a big empty box (like the one i'm typing in now!). You can ask for an exemption to any of the restrictions if you can give a valid reason for it.
I asked to be exempt from the 70 rule because of my route to work and the heavy traffic on it travelling 100+.
A friend in the same circumstances asked for the same thing. They granted it to us both without question.
For some reason they also added on mine that i could take my restricted immediately.
It more than likely just depends on the mood of the person whose desk your application ends up on.
So when you write your application - be polite, don't feel you are entitled to anything, explain your position as best you can, write in your bestest hand-writing and cross your fingers!

[Fumph]

The70 kmh restriction needs to go. I recently got my restricted but when I first went out on the L plates like every one else I soon realised that to hold your position in your lane and not get shunted off the the left hand side you need to keep up with the flow of 100/110 Kmh traffic. My GN250 can do that but only just! I always displayed an L plate and thought it might be kind of useful to warn other road users I might just do some thing stupid and so back off and give me road space. Judging by the lack of L plates being displayed I would say that lots of new riders would rather pretend they are more skilled at riding than they really are! I have never been stopped by the Fuzz.....

[Icemaestro]

I've been riding for two months now, previously been driving a car for 6-7 years - took the L plate off today to go on the motorway as I was sick of being tooted and having people dangerously overtake me. Even when there are 80k signs people travel at 110k anyway!! Thinking might apply for that exemption, It's not fun going from a full car licence (which the partner drives now) to driving 70k and have to be home at 10!

[imne1]

I'm on learners, I have never and will never obey the 70kph rule.I've ridden down the motorway at 100-110, passed cops who were cruising at 90, L-plate flapping furiously in the wind, they dont care. As long as you ride safely cops simply choose not to enforce it (assuming they even know about the rule, and i'm betting alot of them dont).

[Shadows]

Here we go again.

All of these 70k restriction threads should be merged into the waving one.

Why do spaghetti mushy peas and hotdog riders never wave back to rice riders doing 70kph on the open road when I always wave to people on scooters which have a maximum speed of only 50kph maybe I should flash my L-plate at them when they're coming the other way so they know I'm riding slowly because I'm legally obliged to and not because I'm queer do you think that will help and would it matter if they're wearing tassels or not and if they still don't wave back after flashing my L-plate then is it worth getting on the interdweeb and having a cry about it?

Use the time to learn to ride.

[Slyer]

Waving doesn't matter, this does.
Whinging won't change anything but allow them to vent somewhere...