Christchurch KBers - Anyone sat their restricted licence at Sockburn recently?

**ShinySideUp** · 3rd March 2015, 20:37

Just wondering if anyone can give me an idea of the route from the Jipcho Road VTNZ? Any tips about what to expect would be much appreciated.
Cheers.

**neels** · 3rd March 2015, 20:59

No idea what the test route is, but I would sincerely suggest doing your licence test from the Rangiora office, rather than Sockburn.

I think their methodology is if you can survive the retired drivers out there, you can survive anything and it's a pass.

**ShinySideUp** · 6th March 2015, 15:19

Thanks for the replies. Yep, I have heard Rangiora is a good place to sit, however a long waiting list - seems I have left it too late to get a booking before my rego expires. Will look at the other possibilities. Meanwhile I have been daring myself to venture onto the Sockburn roundabout. I think I am nearly ready to sit the test - just gotta work up the courage to bite the bullet and get on with it. Been about 20 years on a learners licence so will be cause to celebrate when I can be rid of the L-plates!

**Cochise4** · 8th March 2015, 12:53

I did my full test there not that long ago and never went near the sockburn round a bout. Left Jipcho Rd via McAlpine St and returned the same way. Course went thru Wigram and surrounding area. Course for Restricted test may be different tho?

**Tazz** · 8th March 2015, 13:04

If you're nervous about a roundabout it might pay to get a lesson first.

I did my car restricted there, twice. I failed within 3 minutes as there was a red light runner going straight while I was turning onto Blenhole Rd which meant the light was (obviously) red before I got through and an instant fail.
I did my full in Papanui and timed it with rush hour so was slow moving gridlock and lots of backstreets rather than a bunch of fast moving fuckwits like Sockburn area, again in a car though, but fully recommend Pap if goon is booked out. Was close enough to only take an hour off work in the morning too.

Good luck man.

**chrispea** · 15th August 2015, 09:07

Originally Posted by Cochise4

I did my full test there not that long ago and never went near the sockburn round a bout. Left Jipcho Rd via McAlpine St and returned the same way. Course went thru Wigram and surrounding area. Course for Restricted test may be different tho?

Here's a copy of the test route my son did a month ago.

Click image for larger version.

Name: Sockburn test route.pdf
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**Grandjeff** · 24th May 2016, 10:25

Originally Posted by chrispea

Here's a copy of the test route my son did a month ago.

Was this for a restricted test? Seems like a long route for a full test.

**strumpet** · 25th May 2016, 08:52

Originally Posted by Grandjeff

Was this for a restricted test? Seems like a long route for a full test.

I checked this out with someone who did the full bike and car test about a month ago.

Is basically right although never went down Halswell Road. It is a bit shorter on the full, but they managed to cover everything in half an hour. It is policy not to use Sockburn roundabout...ffs its bad enough for us experienced folk. They used Awatea and Wigwam Roads to come back to the depot because of the roadwords and the numerous change of speed signs... which are all still there. Plenty of roundabouts down Garvins Road to use as well. Good luck... was a bit of a doodle apparently.

They also slowed down for the railway line on McAlpine Road on the bike test and the tester following in the car nearly ran up their backside... tester had to brake , and apologised for it to the 'testee'
. Said that they tell people not to slow down as they will likely be hit from behind. So didn't when same tester took them for car test an hour later. But, depending who you get, you could be pinged either way for slowing/not slowing.