willand tina_h

Hi our son is 15 will be 16 when we arrive in nz in Jan. He wants to get a drivers permit when we arrive for his birthday, however, we are wondering can only nz people get permits at a young age or will he be able to get one?

He is gonna be so gutted if he cannot, but better to know know than when we are there, it means we can arrange another b-day pressie for him if he is not able to get one.

Thank you soooo much

Tina&Will.x x

teebrown

Hi, if you email the AA centres over here they are the ones who deal with the licenses etc they should be able to answer your question.

Good luck

teebrown

Here, try this website http://www.aa.co.nz/MOTORING/Pages/default.aspx

TeamEmbo

I'm not sure if you have to have been here any length of time on PR before applying.

We've just done that for our daughter's 15 (have been here since 2007).

I think it was around $80 for her learners licence. She has to study the highway code to sit the scratch test to get her learners licence. Then can have lessons to sit test to get restricted licence. All done at local AA office. AA website has sample scratch test to practice on.

willand tina_h

cheers guys, have looked on website and have e-mailed them.

Tina. x

Justcol

you can get him one straight away,
our eldest son asked about one when we had been
here for about 3 weeks and they said time in the country
isnt an issue.

Genesis

Yes, I was going to say the above too. Its an age thing, not a nationality or status thing. Thats how I understand it anyway.

jillyfar

I am shocked that so young that they can get a Driving Licence in New Zealand.

willand tina_h

cheers colandras and genesis, he will be so happy
It is scary thought mind is'nt it??? however, it is good that it is a long drawn out process, so really speaking they cannot get a full liscence for a while.

Tina. x x x

mcuddy1

Not being offensive, but I can't believe anybody wants their kids to drive at that age!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It would be a cold day in hell before I let my son or daughter on the road over here. The driving in Canterbury is abysmal, filtering is like who dares wins. Blinkers and a lobotomy are a prerequisite. Joke.

Be careful out there.

willand tina_h

thanks for the heads up mcuddy1, he will be 16 when we get out to nz, and they can learn here in uk at 17. However, i think that the system in nz is quite good as he have got to sit a test b4 he can even sit in a car in nz, dont know how i will feel mind you when he does get in a car, it does make me wonder that they are still only young, dont know wat the roads/drivers are like where we going as never been there going to tauranga.

Tina. x

Rustie

Driving regulations are legislation, so apply to everyone no matter what their residency status.

Margaret Parkinson

My grandson passed his driving test at 16 but it has been said there are restrictions. For 18 months they cannot have anyone in the car who has not got a full licence unless there is someone with them who has. Also they have not to drive after 10 pm. Can you imagine the rows that caused. They can apply to get a full licence after 12 months whereby they have to sit another test.

Just image what it would be like if 16 year olds could drive in the UK

Margaret Parkinson

My daughter lives in Papamoa which is in the Tauranga district. As with other places there are busy places. There are also some very funny rules as well one being if you are turning left the car coming towards you has right of way, unless someone behind is going straight through. This is what is meant by having eyes in the back of your head.

lapsed kiwi

...or some sort of mirror perhaps??