NZ Learners

[benwynn]

Hey Guys,

Im getting my NZ learners licence in a few weeks (well I plan too).

What's the test like? I dont have a copy of the road code, but I've been practising by doing the online practise test on the AA website. I can get 9-10/10 on the test there, with the variety of questions that it throws at you, will this be sufficient study for the actual test?

Cheers,

Ben.

[Peppermint]

I guess this makes 2 that would like to know. I've heard that the written test is a piece of cake, but that's from people who have passed then lost their license within a few months for speeding/burnouts etc.

[Chairman]

The written test is the scratch'n'sniff one isn't it ?

Here's another version courtesy of the Community Law Office - http://www.communitylaw.org.nz/Road-Code-Test.251.0.html You can take a 33 question test at this one if you get bored with 10 question tests.

Gary

[pilotgallagher01]

Yes it is, Very easy test and aslong as you know the basic rules you will be find. The only one I got wrong was a question about passing on the median which you have to remember your not on a motorbike but a care....

[pilot.masman]

easy peasy, walked in, and walked out 10 mins later with 100% pass, lol.

best to get the road code but most of the questions are just common sense so you should be able to get them.

[NZ255]

How come you getting NZ license? You moving here?

[Anthony]

Did mine last year... simplest test I've ever done. Got 100% of course.
Most of it is common sense, there's just a couple of questions that need technical knowledge like how far over the axles a load can be (it's 3 metres forward of the front seat and 4 metres aft of the rear axle by the way).
Beware though, the picture give way questions are often trick questions! Look for traffic lights and give way signs in questions that don't seem obvious.

[benwynn]

Yeah, possibly moving over within a year or so, so when im next over I thought I might as well give it a shot, only costs me $20 to convert it back to my aussie licence anyways.

Thanks Guys. Ive done the test here fine, so apart from some of NZ's completely ridiculous give way rules, I should do fine from what you have suggested.

Cheers,

Ben

[pilot.masman]

lol, i agree mate, coming from the UK the rules are a bit strange. in the test quite a few of the questions have multiple answers that could be considered correct. weak point ive noticed in NZ driving is round abouts , dunno why but they are really bad at them.

[benwynn]

Hahaha. Honestly, the worst rule is. For example, your turning into like a shopping centre on the right hand side of the rode (presumed a single 2 lane road). If your driving along, and wish to turn into the shopping centre, but a car wants to turn out of the shopping centre into the same lane as you, you have to give way.

[Bandit]

Some of the rules around converting to a NZ licence changed last year if you have an O/Seas licence. You can apply for an exemption from some of the test requirements. Check out www.nzta.govt.nz for more details.

You do not have to sit the theory test if:
you have a licence from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom or the United States of America, and
your licence is current (or has expired less than 12 months), and
you are converting a car or a motorcycle licence.

You do have to sit a theory test if:
you have a licence from a country not listed above; or
you are converting a heavy vehicle licence from any country.
Practical test

You do not have to sit the practical test if:
you have a licence from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom or the United States of America, and
your licence is current (or has expired less than 12 months), and
you have held that licence for more than two years.

[benwynn]

Not for learner licences im pretty sure, plus I dont have my aussie one yet, few months to go

[pilot.masman]

im pretty sure when converting to a NZ license from any other (or at least UK) you do the theory just to see that you know NZ's slightly different road rules. my parents have had to do the theory when they came over, also some other relations from the US have too

[Bandit]

Nope the rules changed on 1st September last year.
Licence holders from certain countries (eg where rules similar to ours) are now exempt from some parts of our test requirements. For the practical test exemption you have to have held the O/Seas licence for at least 2 years.
Generally when converting you get the equivilant NZ class of licence that you held O'seas. So may be able to get a NZ 1L.

Check out the NZTA website it has heaps on there. A workmate has recently converted so has been a topic for smoko here lately. We reckon it was a trade off for something Auntie Helen wanted from some Oseas country.