Restricted license test? Piece of piss!

**bugbug** · 11th December 2007, 21:07

Last week I took my restricted license test (at 730 am on the first day of eligibility) and I can honestly say that It was almost an anticlimax. In the interest of full disclosure, I barely put on a 1000 k on my L license, mostly riding around town on weekends. The first time I ever sat behind the controls of a motorcycle was at the Hamilton motorcycle training school (upon which I simply cannot heap enough praise). It took me maybe 4-5 Sundays before I felt ready to take the initial skills test (those damn cones!!!) and then winter came along which didnt really encourage riding. Long story short, the restricted license test was nothing more than a spin around town. The examiner was the epitome of professionalism and was in no way intimidating or condescending. In fact, for my 'u' turn test, I tipped the bike over but was able to stabilize myself by putting my foot down. My immediate impression was that I failed the exam but the examiner rationalized this hiccup by stating that my bike was probably too small for my size (6'2 , 94 kg on a Kawi GPX 250 'ninjette') and helpfully suggested that I apply for a dispensation and get a bigger bike. Bottom line? Dont sweat the test!

**McDuck** · 12th December 2007, 09:14

I will go in and book mine then

**Rosie** · 12th December 2007, 10:20

Congratulations

**007XX** · 12th December 2007, 11:19

Congrats

I do wonder however if such a lovely officer could be found on the North Shore?

**autos** · 12th December 2007, 11:26

congrats, see you on the road

**Street Hawk** · 12th December 2007, 11:32

if ya from the shore sit your tests in orewa much more laid back less traffic and its a general round town (40k) ride then up to hatsfield def worth the gas

Originally Posted by 007XX

Congrats

I do wonder however if such a lovely officer could be found on the North Shore?

**Coyote** · 12th December 2007, 11:40

I failed my restricted twice

(though the second time was mechanical failure).

I had a Nazi from the AA do my first test. The new roundabout indicating laws just came out and I swear I was following them but the tester didn't think so (the roundabout wasn't straight through, it was slightly to the right so I should've indicated to the right going into it). I also failed for doing a 3 point turn in a road 3/4 the size of my turning circle at full lock instead of doing a full U-turn. And I had to be looking at the mirrors more than looking ahead of me.

Full licence was piss easy. "Yep, perfect, here's your licence. And I'll just cut up the old one"
"But I want to keep it"
"Too late, that's the law now anyway"

**007XX** · 12th December 2007, 11:58

Originally Posted by Street Hawk

if ya from the shore sit your tests in orewa much more laid back less traffic and its a general round town (40k) ride then up to hatsfield def worth the gas

Oh definitely! I used to live up there about 10 years or so ago...I sat my restricted for car licence while heavily pregnant and the officer there was just so lovely! I was so nervous, but he got me a lot more settled by chatting with me...

I miss living up there

**PrincessBandit** · 12th December 2007, 12:12

congrats. I was told too that the restricted would be a doddle and it pretty much was. Sat mine as soon as my 6month L period was up and was a little apprehensive about what to expect. Had a lovely testing officer too who followed me in his car. Gave feedback at each stop he got me to make. Ditto for my full which I did 7months after my R. Great testing officer who gave me advice etc. before embarking on the test. I don't remember having to do a u-ey though expect for my full (and I had a touchdown with right foot arrrrgh - still passed though and he never said a thing about it). If you get a nice examiner it helps, but if you get a horrible one rely on your own confidence to see you through - you'll be sweet. (Just remember all the "little things" like indicating before you pull out from the kerb etc. cos those are the sorts of things that are easily forgotten if you're nervous).

**grusomhat** · 12th December 2007, 12:17

Originally Posted by PrincessBandit

congrats. I was told too that the restricted would be a doddle and it pretty much was. Sat mine as soon as my 6month L period was up and was a little apprehensive about what to expect. Had a lovely testing officer too who followed me in his car. Gave feedback at each stop he got me to make. Ditto for my full which I did 7months after my R. Great testing officer who gave me advice etc. before embarking on the test. I don't remember having to do a u-ey though expect for my full (and I had a touchdown with right foot arrrrgh - still passed though and he never said a thing about it). If you get a nice examiner it helps, but if you get a horrible one rely on your own confidence to see you through - you'll be sweet. (Just remember all the "little things" like indicating before you pull out from the kerb etc. cos those are the sorts of things that are easily forgotten if you're nervous).

7 months after R? Is that over 25 and defensive driving course?

**PrincessBandit** · 12th December 2007, 17:47

Originally Posted by grusomhat

7 months after R? Is that over 25 and defensive driving course?

Nah, just over 25 (by a wee bit

). For over 25s you can get it shortened to 3 months if you do an approved course. I was happy to settle for the 6 months of experience; it gave me time to build my confidence more. I did double check at the AA that I was entitled to sit my full and the girl at the counter said it would have pinged me straight up if I'd been trying to sit before the minimum R period.