Learning to drive in NZ
Sep 21st 2018, 8:28 am
#16
Just Joined
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 4
Re: Learning to drive in NZ
The problem is it takes time to complete the stages before getting your driving license in NZ: learners license (3-6 months), then restricted (3-6 months) before you can finally apply for the full license.
Just to put a different option out there, If you have time, why not attend a residential or intensive course within commuting distance of London, like Milton Keynes. The roads there are predictable, wide and easy to drive on, I would say they were almost designed for a driving school! Then when you arrive in NZ you have one less thing to be concerned about. Learning to drive can be very stressful and it would be a shame if this was at the forefront of your mind when you arrive in NZ.
Good luck with learning to drive and the move
Just to put a different option out there, If you have time, why not attend a residential or intensive course within commuting distance of London, like Milton Keynes. The roads there are predictable, wide and easy to drive on, I would say they were almost designed for a driving school! Then when you arrive in NZ you have one less thing to be concerned about. Learning to drive can be very stressful and it would be a shame if this was at the forefront of your mind when you arrive in NZ.
Good luck with learning to drive and the move
Sep 21st 2018, 9:35 am
#17
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: In a large village called Auckland
Posts: 5,249
Re: Learning to drive in NZ
Just to put a different option out there, If you have time, why not attend a residential or intensive course within commuting distance of London, like Milton Keynes. The roads there are predictable, wide and easy to drive on, I would say they were almost designed for a driving school! Then when you arrive in NZ you have one less thing to be concerned about.
Sep 21st 2018, 11:38 am
#18
Just Joined
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 4
Re: Learning to drive in NZ
Good point, however it could still be a viable option. What about this plan?
Lets say Thorners attends one of those 7 day intensive courses and passes the UK license before Christmas. This is also an optimistic time frame of selling a flat in London. So after another 6 months renting a flat in London, lets say July the move to NZ takes place. I believe you are allowed to drive on an overseas license for 12 months? Then all that is required is another 6 months and Thorners has held the license for 2 years! That 6 months is going to be the same timeframe as being without a license while learning in NZ. Obviously if Thorners gets the UK license sooner and the flat takes longer to sell it could work out perfectly!
Just trying to provide a different option but it sounds like you have direct experienced in this area so happy to bow to your superior knowledge.
Lets say Thorners attends one of those 7 day intensive courses and passes the UK license before Christmas. This is also an optimistic time frame of selling a flat in London. So after another 6 months renting a flat in London, lets say July the move to NZ takes place. I believe you are allowed to drive on an overseas license for 12 months? Then all that is required is another 6 months and Thorners has held the license for 2 years! That 6 months is going to be the same timeframe as being without a license while learning in NZ. Obviously if Thorners gets the UK license sooner and the flat takes longer to sell it could work out perfectly!
Just trying to provide a different option but it sounds like you have direct experienced in this area so happy to bow to your superior knowledge.
Sep 21st 2018, 11:43 pm
#19
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: In a large village called Auckland
Posts: 5,249
Re: Learning to drive in NZ
Thorner doesn't seem to be in any particular rush to get on the road in Wellington and won't really need a car if living centrally, so yes that would be an option.
Sep 22nd 2018, 10:26 pm
#20
MODERATOR
Joined: Oct 2011
Location: Wellington - I miss Castles, the NHS & English school system
Posts: 9,077
Re: Learning to drive in NZ
Good point, however it could still be a viable option. What about this plan?
Lets say Thorners attends one of those 7 day intensive courses and passes the UK license before Christmas. This is also an optimistic time frame of selling a flat in London. So after another 6 months renting a flat in London, lets say July the move to NZ takes place. I believe you are allowed to drive on an overseas license for 12 months? Then all that is required is another 6 months and Thorners has held the license for 2 years! That 6 months is going to be the same timeframe as being without a license while learning in NZ. Obviously if Thorners gets the UK license sooner and the flat takes longer to sell it could work out perfectly!
Just trying to provide a different option but it sounds like you have direct experienced in this area so happy to bow to your superior knowledge.
Lets say Thorners attends one of those 7 day intensive courses and passes the UK license before Christmas. This is also an optimistic time frame of selling a flat in London. So after another 6 months renting a flat in London, lets say July the move to NZ takes place. I believe you are allowed to drive on an overseas license for 12 months? Then all that is required is another 6 months and Thorners has held the license for 2 years! That 6 months is going to be the same timeframe as being without a license while learning in NZ. Obviously if Thorners gets the UK license sooner and the flat takes longer to sell it could work out perfectly!
Just trying to provide a different option but it sounds like you have direct experienced in this area so happy to bow to your superior knowledge.
Sep 26th 2018, 1:13 am
#21
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,298
Re: Learning to drive in NZ
Hi all
A quick question. I live in London and have never learned to drive (aged almost 40, whoops). I realise I will need to in NZ.
We're trying to sell our flat, once that happens we'll probably stay here in a short term rental for another 6 months before moving to Wellington. I really don't fancy learning to drive in London so was planning to wait until I get over to NZ. That way I'm learning the right road rules too.
Do you think that's the best way or should I learn to drive before we move over? It seems like it might be a longer process to learn in NZ but I don't know much about it or how much it costs. We will rent somewhere fairly central in Wellington for the first year before we buy somewhere that's probably a bit more remote and rural. So I'd have a year before really needing a car to get around. That's the plan at least!
Thanks
A quick question. I live in London and have never learned to drive (aged almost 40, whoops). I realise I will need to in NZ.
We're trying to sell our flat, once that happens we'll probably stay here in a short term rental for another 6 months before moving to Wellington. I really don't fancy learning to drive in London so was planning to wait until I get over to NZ. That way I'm learning the right road rules too.
Do you think that's the best way or should I learn to drive before we move over? It seems like it might be a longer process to learn in NZ but I don't know much about it or how much it costs. We will rent somewhere fairly central in Wellington for the first year before we buy somewhere that's probably a bit more remote and rural. So I'd have a year before really needing a car to get around. That's the plan at least!
Thanks
