Licenses from UK to NZ

[sapper4956]

I just did my conversion as i couldn't register my new bike without a kiwi license. Well i could have used my UK one but I've been here a little (well a lot) longer than the 12 months stipulated.

I did find out though and this came as sharp news to me that had i had an accident all my insurance was void, because it had been more than 18 months since entry to NZ.

Just something to keep in mind if you are like me a little lax with paperwork. Took 20mins to do both car,HGV and bike and it was easy. Got 1 wrong and it was one of those Kiwi give way to the right rule ones. It pays to have a look at those question sites before. Especially if your doing your truck conversion.

[m99dws]

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

VTNZ did, they wrote the original pass dates on the application form before I did the test.

[brockzila]

Im sitting my thery on monday after already passing my cbt a few months ago. and am looking to do the DA as soon as i get a new job. the place i am looking at charges 125 for a day of instruction and then the test is £58(i think it may have gone up). but the instructors will take in to account your ability and recomend the amount of days you need.
Taking the test over here will be more £££ but it means you will be able to ride europe and some of the famous tracks over here that kiwis only get to see on gp and sb races.

Also
buy you bike here. buy it a year befor you go.
why??
FAlco sl1000 aprilia approx £3000 for a mint one
NZ is about 10,000 nzd

if you get it a year befor you do it is classed as persoal property. and you will not have to pay GST (like VAT but at 12.5%)

Cost to ship a precrated bike is about 640 squid. get free crates from dealers. un crated will cost you a extra 160 approx

convert and shipping with no tax is heaps cheaper than buying in Nuw Zulland

also look at buying your gear here. i can remember stuff back home not being cheap. check out trademe.co.nz for an idea on price.the hine gerick sale and bike shows will save you a heap. you may also be able to claim the vat back on some items you are taking with you if you are not returning and buy them 3 months i think before you leave.

im taking my trx home and maybe a falco if i can come up with a chunk of cash after my europe tour.
Starting in pamploma for the running of the bulls in early july and finishing at octoberfest in october. and hoping to make gp, superbike, a1 to support team kiwi or f1 if there are any around at the time. other than that its party and fast corners as my skill improves.

[Nick from the nick]

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



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

Insure with ebike insurance in the uk they are here too and will bring your insurance over, as for the police they will chase you back to the uk for penalties my mate came on holiday got a speeding ticket and never paid up, they chased him to the uk for it, so be warned

[Sanx]

• You can drive for twelve months on a UK licence since your last date of entry into the country. Go to Aussie for a weekend every year, and you'll never need (legally) get an NZ licence.
• Having said all that, as others have said, the conversion process for any licence class you've held longer than two years in simple. Takes half an hour and that's it.
• If you wish to avoid paying out for a British DA test, and want to avoid the learner / restricted periods here, you can cheat by going on a dirty weekend away in Rarotonga (they'll be some dodgy Honda-riding bloke who'll probably accompany you, if you play your cards right), getting your motorcycle licence over there and then converting it when you get back to NZ. You will need to do a practical test, but you go straight to a full licence without the intervening hassles.
• I didn't get stung by increased insurance on my British licence. In fact, just 'cos I'd held my licence over five years, ASB gave me 50% no claims to begin with. Won't hurt to bring proof of your no claims with you though.
• The cops can happily give you points even if you don't have an NZ licence. When the first ticket is issued, a temporary licence number gets assigned to you and the points applied to that. Should you then apply for an NZ licence, you'll get the same licence number and a nice points bonus along with it.

[Bikernereid]

Should be ok with UK car license, have two of them anyway. Will defo bring insurance details as I have about 8 years no claims.

Have decided that I don't mind being on a restricted license for longer in NZ as it can only be a good thing to get more experience before trading up. And they have that stupid traffic light thing which is going to be strange to get used to. Better ssafe than sorry in my book.

• You can drive for twelve months on a UK licence since your last date of entry into the country. Go to Aussie for a weekend every year, and you'll never need (legally) get an NZ licence.
• Having said all that, as others have said, the conversion process for any licence class you've held longer than two years in simple. Takes half an hour and that's it.
• If you wish to avoid paying out for a British DA test, and want to avoid the learner / restricted periods here, you can cheat by going on a dirty weekend away in Rarotonga (they'll be some dodgy Honda-riding bloke who'll probably accompany you, if you play your cards right), getting your motorcycle licence over there and then converting it when you get back to NZ. You will need to do a practical test, but you go straight to a full licence without the intervening hassles.
• I didn't get stung by increased insurance on my British licence. In fact, just 'cos I'd held my licence over five years, ASB gave me 50% no claims to begin with. Won't hurt to bring proof of your no claims with you though.
• The cops can happily give you points even if you don't have an NZ licence. When the first ticket is issued, a temporary licence number gets assigned to you and the points applied to that. Should you then apply for an NZ licence, you'll get the same licence number and a nice points bonus along with it.