Jac&Adie

Hi all

Done a bit more training today on overseas driver licence conversions, one very important point came out.

When taking your theory (or practical - depending from where in the world you come from) should you fail a test, you can NO longer drive on you Overseas licence here. The way it works is if you fail a test your road knowledge is substandard so you cannot drive on NZ roads.

Also another point that has come in general chat with expats is de-merit points. Contrary to belief you can gain de-merit points even when you are on your UK licence. De-merit points are awarded when you are stopped by plod for traffic offences (not just speeding). If you do not hold a Kiwi licence the police add you to the system and the points are added to your kiwi licence as soon as you convert over.

Hope this is useful info, and slow down on the roads (you know who I mean )

Adie

jads

Hi

Have you had an eye test yet, if so are they quite strict. In the uk it used to be a case of reading a number plate from 100 yards! Just curious because I have a weak eye!

Cheers Jads

kato33

Can anyone tell me which is easier.......UK test or NZ test.

Nici

Pete n Shell

Neither

But the UK is of a Better Standard than many parts of the NZ test.

IF you want a easy test then you should not be driving in the first place (just my opinion) incidentally if you go over to Queensland, Australia and I have heard to convert a NZ licence they will make you sit a test because the standards in NZ are so low.

But I know of someone who failed the NZ driving test and had 20 years of UK driving experiance plus Polics ADI experiance, because it was not what they expected they sat the test as part of and additional class endorsement. Ironic how good a driver they were just flunked the Kiwi test

jennifer45

So what with trying to con the medics that I'm the epitome of health and vitality, you now tell me, that despite the fact that I am one of the best drivers on the UK roads, (in all honesty THE best- but modesty prevents me from broadcasting the fact, MOH has come to accept it over the years
) I am likely to fail the NZ driving test when I have to convert! I have been entertained for years watching the antics of many drivers on NZ roads, but most times I've been horrified.
Anyway that I can get my hands on the theory questions?
Anyone got a list of examiners?

RobClubley

The theory questions are all in the back of the road code - it doesn't give you the answers but it does tell you what pages to look on for them, so you have to put in a little effort.

I did mine at the AA testing centre in Wellington - takes no time at all, just a scratchy multi-choice thing.

The eye test is pretty basic - look into some binocular thingies on the desk and read letters, then tell them what side a light is shining from

minky

If you go onto the land and transport website you can see all the questions (200) I think basically its common sense but there are a few different things here 2 and 3 second rules towing etc.I spent a couple of hours going thru it and passed first time you scratch the answers out on a sheet of multi choice and the last page has pictures about give way etc make sure you look at the traffic lights as well.

Here comes the sun

Is there a practical test as well or is it just a theory test?

RobClubley

Just a theory test to convert from a British licence

happynz

Doesn't a person doing the licence conversion have to have at least two years driving experience to do only the theory test?

ex_exile

You can do unlimited free tests on the the internet, the questions are from the real test and refer you to the relevant parts of the road code.

http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/roa...questions.html

Yes this is true

CAN2NZ

Yes, Happynz, you are correct again. When you go to do the multiple choice test you have to present your current license and have proof that you have been driving for two years.

The failure rate is quite high on the eye test. If you think you might fail, for $15 you can have the optometrist complete a test and form that indicates that your eye site is good enough. Note, that if you think you might fail, this is the cheaper route to go. You will not fail the optometrist test. If you fail the one at the motor vehicle office you will have to pay them and again when you visit them the next time.

mickey_d

Hi,
I failed the eye test, as I have one eye weaker than the other. You have to look down binocular type things & read out 4 letters (you see 2 in each eye, which then appear in a line of 4) I could only see 2, so I failed. Then went to the Opticians around the corner, had a eye test for $8.50 & passed with flying colours, back to the AA & got my licence

Pete n Shell

Everyone gets hung up about just converting the Car Licence, but miss the fact that a Car Licence in NZ only covers you up to 4.5 tonne.
So what you say but if you end up driving a 4wd or van with a Trailer loaded you could end up driving a gross weight over 4.5 tonne with no licence. You wont believe the number of people caught out by that.

On your UK Car licence if you passed before 1997 you can drive up to 8500kgs, over here they call that a Class 2. Just an extra 10 specialist questions but well worth having. Most of the people at the LTNZ call centres have not a clue about this unless you are lucky enough to speak to an ExPat.

I wont tell you anymore openly on the forum so send me a PM for more details.

Here comes the sun

Ive had my license for 6 years, but my hubby has only just started to learn to drive again after starting when he was 17 (he's now 29) he is a very nervous driver he's fine when driving with me but struggles when in a test situation. The plan was for him to hopefully pass his test here before going to NZ but after reading that you need 2 years experiance to avoid the practical is he better just learning here then sitting a test in NZ or going ahead and getting his license here first?
Obviously we dont want to waste money on 2 lots of tests!