[Tia Maria]

I don't think you can....

It doesn't take long to study for the NZ theory test, just see how well you are doing with the online test.

Well done! First step!!! :nice1

Cheers

Tia

[peebles16]

Unfortunately you need to do the theory first as far as I'm aware Sharon :(

Good luck with it all
Karenx

[shakyle2906]

Well, step 2!

Rang instructor tonight, could fit me in on saturday afternoon, but need to sort my licence out first.

Apparently, there is a code on the prov licence that will tell them where i fit in in the system and what type of licence i can then have ............. does this make any sense ???????????

Have emailed Land Transport as awkward to call during the day!

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!

Sharon
x

[Jo Jo]

Third lesson today - and got into third gear! I really enjoyed my lesson today; I drove through town for the first time, which was not nearly as scary as I thought it would be, and I drove at 50 km/h (for about 2 seconds...!)

Oooh, and I did a u-turn, and drove up the steep and windy (windy as in curving, not windy as in weather) hill to my house IN THE DARK!!!

[Tia Maria]

In the dark - well done! I've not quite managed that one yet. I'm definitely sensing a trend with your lessons and gears!

A fellow forumite kindly kept an eye on the kids for us at the weekend and I went and practiced parking, 3 point turns and hill starts. I was particularly motivated as the car I kept parking next to was an expensive and very shiny red one! I bet if the owner was looking out the window he was probably having a heart attack! :laugh

Haven't managed to get any practice in this week, as I haven't managed to sort the whole kids/designated driver thing. :( Hope I remember how to drive at the weekend.

Cheers

Tia

[Tia Maria]

Shakyle - Found out anymore yet?

Peebles16 - how's it all going driving wise?

Cheers

Tia

[shakyle2906]

Shakyle - Found out anymore yet?

Peebles16 - how's it all going driving wise?

Cheers

Tia


Well, as i am out of the house from 8am until 5.30, i cant get to ring the LT, so emailed them Tuesday. Email back today, problem on website, please submit again!

I did get someone 5.25 today...........to be told she didnt have a clue what i was on about!!!!!!!!!

Going to try and ring in lunch break tomo!

Keep you posted!

Sharon
x

[shakyle2906]

Well, had huge email from LT, couldnt understand a word of it!
Passed on to proposed driving instructor, who confirmed, utter gobbldy gook (sp??)

So, as was home early, gave LT a call...............

On phone for ages, trying to find out what AB fpk was on licence.

Finally told i had to sit the theory test for a learners licence..............so will have to start swotting!!

It seems that a lot of the NZ driving instructors are wary to take you without the NZ equivalent of the learners licence i am told.

SO, guess i will have to try and learn the NZ way of driving again!!!!!!!!!!

Sharon
x

[peebles16]

Still studying for theory test as never seem to get time to read book :( Have set myself date of middle of June to get it sorted and passed :yes

Karenx

P.S. Mind you if I didn't spend so much time on the forum.... :laugh

[shakyle2906]

Still studying for theory test as never seem to get time to read book :( Have set myself date of middle of June to get it sorted and passed :yes

Karenx

P.S. Mind you if I didn't spend so much time on the forum.... :laugh

Me too, takes over my life!!!!!!!

Sharon
x

[Jo Jo]

How is everyone's learning going?

[Steadybears]

Anyone needing a code book - have a copy and would love to pass it on now that we have passed our learners.

Cant wait for updates on your driving experiences - havent had a good smile for months!!!

[Bergita]

Yay, I'm not the only adult learning to drive! I did my theory in March and had my first AA driver's lesson on Saturday. There was some very shaky breathing coming from my instructor, but I felt fine! :)

[Tia Maria]

Welcome to the club Bergita!

Current members:

Tia Maria
Jo Jo
Peebles16
Hannah-NL
Bergita

Possible future members:

Shakyle2906 - plucking up courage
KelvinAng - practicing on a scooter

I've not had any practice for 2 weeks - bit of a sore point really, oh well I'll just have to be patient.

Cheers

Tia

[peebles16]

Still reading road code book here but really have to get on with it as applying for jobs now and not having licence is hampering my choices :( Then again need to get job to pay for lessons :roll

Karenx

[KelvinAng]

Welcome to the club Bergita!

Current members:

Tia Maria
Jo Jo
Peebles16
Hannah-NL
Bergita

Possible future members:

Shakyle2906 - plucking up courage
KelvinAng - practicing on a scooter

I've not had any practice for 2 weeks - bit of a sore point really, oh well I'll just have to be patient.

Cheers

Tia

I've started driving some weeks ago. My instructor is actually my landlady. We agreed on a swap - she teach me driving while I do a web site for her company. Had just two (or is it three?) lessons, each between one to two hours. Surprisingly I handle the clutch-gear thing well enough and we did drive around on 80km roads.

Haven't been following up with more lessons however. To be frank I don't have much motivation... I guess my preferred mode of transport is still the two-wheeled variety, plus the fact that petrol prices aren't cheap! Eventually I want to get my car license done up since it's pretty much a necessity, but chances are that I'll have a few bikes in the garage before that happens!

[Jo Jo]

I've had an exciting week, driving-wise: did my first three-point turns during my lesson last week, and today I drove our car for the first time!

[NikT]

Well done Jo Jo.:raebanana
Keep it up.

Nick.

[Tia Maria]

Yay, well done Jo!

I think when you start to drive your own car, rather than the instructors, you start to get a sense of 'hang on I might actually be able to do this!'.

Cheers

Tia

[Jo Jo]

Or at least think, "Yikes, if I can't do this, we're in SERIOUS trouble!"

Me, D, and the car all survived unscathed, though I did make him swap with me when we got to the scary bits with 180 degree bends and 5000 foot drop offs at the side*... And luckily he also drove when we went along the road my friend and I crashed on a couple of months ago - you should see the hole we gouged out of the mountain!




*OK, that might not be strictly true, but that's what it looks like when you're a learner driver...

[Tia Maria]

I went on the motorway for the first time today - and lived to tell the tale!!! :eek:

Cheers

Tia

[Gerritt]

http://i38.tinypic.com/2lk40w3.jpg


shBAM. PERMIT.

Starting Monday, I can cause highway wreckage from California to Oregon... LEGALLY! As long as my parents are with me.

Happy days!

[Jo Jo]

Today, I drove along the notorious Black Jack Road for the first time - it's a metal road, full of very sharp bends, with sheer drops at the side of the road. I almost pooped my pants.

[NikT]

So, who's took their restricted?:)

Nick.

[Jo Jo]

I can take mine in November. Has anyone else got theirs coming up?

[shakyle2906]

Just got another car - a 7 seater for when parents in law and SIL come over in December - had such a bargain, we would have been stupid to not get it!

Nice Toyota Lucida, 7 seater, air con, 2 elec windows - only draw back was the long drive back to Hawkes Bay from Auckland!

So, now i have got to put a rocket up me and learn to drive!

Got to try and spend some time each night swotting up on theory!

Sharon

PS - Anyone who can help - ie how you remember items for the test - please let me know!

One determined lady!!!

[NikT]

Tried this site?:

http://www.communitylaw.org.nz/licence/learn.php

Nick.:cheers

[shakyle2906]

Tried this site?:

http://www.communitylaw.org.nz/licence/learn.php

Nick.:cheers

Thanks Nick!

[Jo Jo]

I have just booked my restricted license practical test for November...

[Tia Maria]

Oooh how exciting!

I was thinking about booking mine, as I think the only way it will become a priority for me to have more practice, is if I have a test date to aim for. Otherwise kids stuff always seem to get in the way.

Could you choose a date or did they pick it?

Cheers

Tia

[Jo Jo]

Oooh how exciting!

I was thinking about booking mine, as I think the only way it will become a priority for me to have more practice, is if I have a test date to aim for. Otherwise kids stuff always seem to get in the way.

Could you choose a date or did they pick it?

Cheers

Tia

The examiner only comes to my town once every three months, so I didn't have a choice of dates! You will, though, as you're taking it in Auckland. You can book it online (https://transact.landtransport.govt.nz/transactions/LicenceTestBooking/entry.aspx), and it lists on there all the available dates in your area - I'm pretty sure you'll have more choice than I did.

[Tia Maria]

Great - thanks ..... I think!

Cheers

Tia

[peebles16]

Okay have been putting it off for long enough and am going to do theory test when wee man is in kindy on Friday :yes If (big if) I pass it I'd like to get an exemption on the 6 month wait, pack in some lessons and just go for it - good idea?????

Karenx

[Jo Jo]

Oh, I didn't know you could get an exemption - how do you do that?

[peebles16]

JoJo
Apparently there is a form you can fill in and send to Ministry of Land and Transport - woman in the AA office told me. Woman in the AA place basically said that the 6 month thing is aimed more at 15 year olds and didn't think it would be an issue for me given given am an old burd :D

I emailed Land & Transport and they said they would consider it but had still to do theory test. I don't think it's by any means guaranteed but for me I tend to learn better if I do things in one intense burst instead of 1 lesson a week for god only knows how many years now and still never getting round to taking the test :o

Aha here's the email and their links:
Thank you for your email dated 12 February 2008.



As you only have a United Kingdom (UK) provisional licence, here in New Zealand it would convert to a New Zealand Class 1 Car Learner licence. You can choose to apply for an exemption once you have obtained a New Zealand Learner licence which could make you exempt from the waiting time of your learner licence to continue on to get a New Zealand Restricted Driver licence.



I have added the following link which explains the New Zealand driver licence system.

http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/factsheets/45.html



I have also included the details on obtaining an exemption



Exemption



Once you have a current NZ driver licence (temporary or photo driver licence card) you can then lodge your application for exemption (form DL4) to acknowledge the time you have held your UK licence (i.e. straight away). The application fee of $22.20 and we recommend you provide two A5 traceable courier bags. This is so your overseas licence documentation does not get lost in transit when processed and returned to you. Application forms are available from your nearest driver licencing agents.



The following link provides details of your nearest driver licencing agent.

www.landtransport.govt.nz/licensing/getting-licence/where.htmlHTH

Karenx

[Jo Jo]

Oooh, well I never knew that. I wish I'd known about it sooner. Ah well, too late now.

[peebles16]

So went to do theory test at local AA office - must point out here that I passed with 100% and very pleased with myself :D Then wee wifey behind the counter calls me round and said I didn't have to do the test after all - what!?! Apparently cos I had provisional UK license, after 1 Sept 2008, I could just do straight conversion to NZ learner permit.... I had not idea that the change applied to all classes of license but apparently it does and I didn't even do a theory test in the UK - yes I am that old :o So I could have saved myself the hassle of studying for the test but to be honest am glad I did :yes

Now off to apply for the exemption so I can try for my restricted soon


Karenx

[benandclare]

:clap:clap

Well done Karen, hope the practical goes as well :D

[Bergita]

I also didn't know about the exemption... interesting. Well I've waited the 6 months and I've been doing driving lessons - have 2 more now and then it's OVER! I've had it with my instructor's sarcasm, it's hard to take when you're not a teenager....

My biggest problem is that I can't practise because OH can't be a supervisor because a supervisor has to have held a NZ driver's licence for at minimum of 2 years...! And does anyone know what is in the driving test? What in particular they want to see?

Aarrgh! I find it all very stressful.

[Jo Jo]

I haven't done the proper test yet, but I've done a couple of mock ones. It's pretty short - just half an hour - and seems pretty straight forward.

Here's the official guide: http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/factsheets/03.html (scroll down to see what it says about what's in the test).

[Jo Jo]

Congrats on passing your theory test, Karen.

[Tia Maria]

Congrats Peebles16!

Have you taken any lessons in the UK or are you a complete beginner?

Bergita, I know what you mean about practicing, I have to do all mine with 3 kids in the back.

My OH hasn't held his NZ License for 2 years. I'm not sure if we found out it was OK, or decided to plead ignorance if pulled up on it and just say we thought international license counted. Which, TBH, if it doesn't should.

My instructor always makes me feel better by pointing out that very few people take formal lessons in NZ and they are allowed to drive young. In other words, someone with formal lessons and an ounce of common sense should look good in comparison! I hope thats true! :)

Cheers

Tia

[Bergita]

Thanks for the info on the test Jo Jo. Basically what I wanted to know is will I have to park.... because that's my weakest point. And from what I can see, I won't, which means I have a fair chance of passing my test.... I'm allowed to do it now, but now I'm holding back because I'm too scared!

Tia Maria, I agree, an international licence should count.... I think this is another thing you can apply for an exemption for, if I remember a conversation I had with a woman at the driver licencing office correctly. But I'm thinking I should just take the plunge, do the test, and then drive with OH. Then I still have some backup and it has the added advantage of being legal. :D

[peebles16]

Tia, I've had loads of lessons over the years but basically got bored, ran out of money, got pregnant etc so never got round to taking the test :o Also drove for a bit in Africa with a slightly *ahem - cough* dodgy license :p

Best of luck to those sitting practicals soon
Karenx

[shakyle2906]

So went to do theory test at local AA office - must point out here that I passed with 100% and very pleased with myself :D Then wee wifey behind the counter calls me round and said I didn't have to do the test after all - what!?! Apparently cos I had provisional UK license, after 1 Sept 2008, I could just do straight conversion to NZ learner permit.... I had not idea that the change applied to all classes of license but apparently it does and I didn't even do a theory test in the UK - yes I am that old :o So I could have saved myself the hassle of studying for the test but to be honest am glad I did :yes

Now off to apply for the exemption so I can try for my restricted soon


Karenx

Pm'd you

Sharon
x

[shakyle2906]

Well, i took the 'easy' way out - just got back from the AA and converted my UK provisional to NZ Learners!

She didnt know what a 'provisional' meant!

Gave me an Exemption form to complete asap - Karen I know you have one to complete so hope you can help - she said i had to have letters to send with it.........one from employers to say i need a licence to go to work sometimes at night (i dont work at night but may help!), one from my hubby and i cant remember what she said he had to put in it and one from myself!
Was like double dutch in end!

Its the easy way out i guess but cant help wondering why they exempt you from the theory when (i admit) it is necessary to learn but i guess common sense!

She also gave me few weird looks when i said i was going to book some lessons with an instructor as most have their family over here!

So, guess first hurdle over - feel on a high already!

Anyone with advice on what letters are needed - let me know as i feel silly for not remembering!

Sharon
x

[Flutterby]

i'm looking forward to joining this club, but i suppose you'll all have passed by then!

[shakyle2906]

i'm looking forward to joining this club, but i suppose you'll all have passed by then!


Doubt it!

Hubby has promised to take me out this weekend................should be a laugh! He has zilch patience!

Oh well, guess better give it a go.

Sharon
x

[peebles16]

Sharon I don't know if you hubby can 'legally' take you out as an instructor as AA told me I had to be with someone who had NZ licence for 2 years :( As for the exemption form yep as much support/evidence you can produce that backs up your reasons for the exemption the better :yes

Karenx

[shakyle2906]

Sharon I don't know if you hubby can 'legally' take you out as an instructor as AA told me I had to be with someone who had NZ licence for 2 years :( As for the exemption form yep as much support/evidence you can produce that backs up your reasons for the exemption the better :yes

Karenx

Thanks Karen!

They mentioned in AA types of letters to have - what one you planning on using ? They suggested work, hubby (?).....

Sharon
x

[peebles16]

My plan is to write letter explaining the 12kms I walk per day doing school/kindy drop off and hopefully that together with the fact that I have driven lot in the Uk and Africa and am pretty ancient :o i.e. not 15 will go in my favour..... What i do know is that it's not guaranteed so make a back up plan for the 6 months :yes

Karenx

[shakyle2906]

My plan is to write letter explaining the 12kms I walk per day doing school/kindy drop off and hopefully that together with the fact that I have driven lot in the Uk and Africa and am pretty ancient :o i.e. not 15 will go in my favour..... What i do know is that it's not guaranteed so make a back up plan for the 6 months :yes

Karenx

Thanks Karen - will try grovelling too then!

Sharon
x

[NikT]

Doubt it!

Hubby has promised to take me out this weekend................should be a laugh! He has zilch patience!

Oh well, guess better give it a go.

Sharon
x

I'll stay out of Hastings this weekend then!:eek:

Only joking,:D I'm sure you'll do great:nice1

Nick.:cheers

[Jo Jo]

I was thinking about booking mine,

Have you booked it, yet?

[peebles16]

Well I've got my exemption at long last after searching for my UK 'provisional' :o So off to book lots of lessons and in theory should be sitting my practical test in a week or two :eek:

karenx

[BkyMonster]

Was just looking for this thread. I so don't want to learn but I might have to. :wah

Good info here

[Tia Maria]

Have you booked it, yet?

Sorry didn't spot this!

No a combination of lack of opportunity, flat batteries and skips (don't ask!), meant that I didn't get in a car for about 6 weeks, but I'm picking it up again and have family coming out over Xmas which should mean plenty more chances - so hoping to book one in Jan.

Good luck to all those taking the practical test in Nov - let me know everything you had to do, in a minute by minute detailed account! :D

Cheers

Tia

[Jo Jo]

Well I've got my exemption at long last after searching for my UK 'provisional' :o So off to book lots of lessons and in theory should be sitting my practical test in a week or two :eek:

karenx

Oooh, good luck!

[peebles16]

3 lessons booked for next week then 5 for the next week :eek:

Folks out Rangiora way beware :laugh

Karenx

[Jo Jo]

Woooohooooooooo

I just passed my restricted test!

:D

[mikey39]

Congratulations jo jo :raebanana:raebanana:raebanana

[Tia Maria]

Now that Jo Jo is the first one to pass her restricted test we can now add a new category! :D

Current Learner Members:

Tia Maria
Peebles16
Hannah-NL
Bergita
KelvinAng

Passed Restricted Test! :nice1

Jo Jo

Possible future members:

Shakyle2906 - have you started lessons yet?

Let me know if anyone needs adding/moving.

Cheers

Tia

[Jo Jo]

I meant to ask, when you've stopped celebrating could you give us a list of what you were tested on - maybe on the ENZ Learners Club thread?

Cheers

Tia

Okey dokey.

Well, we started off in town, and drove round turning right, turning left, and going straight ahead at junctions. Had to pull over to the left of the road then pull off again. Did a three point turn. Went round a couple of roundabouts then headed out on a high speed road (all the first bit was in town with 50 km/h speed limits). As we approached the high speed road she said I had to suit my speed to the conditions, but should aim to be within 5 km of the speed limit. The first bit of that road was 80 km/h, which I did, but then the road turned into a 100 km/h road. The first bit of the 100 km/h road is really bendy, so you'd have to be mad to go at the speed limit - I went at 80 km/h, and she asked me to pull over before I got to the bit where you could start going at 100 km/h (so I didn't end up doing 100 km/h once during the test). I had to pull over opposite a junction, then do a u-turn and merge into the traffic. Except there wasn't any traffic, so she asked me to pull over a bit further on, and merge into the traffic again. As we came back into town she started asking me questions about what it was like living in London!

The whole thing lasted 25 minutes. When we got back to the test centre (well, the church masquerading as a test centre for the day) she said I'd done quite well, and was messing about with the paper work for about 10 minutes. I was sitting there thinking, "Quite well as in I've passed? Or quite well as in I've failed?" Then my driving instructor came over and said "Well done." and I said, "Oh, have I passed then?" I saw that my examiner had written "Passed" on the front, but it actually looked like "Pissed"!!!

So, it's all pretty straight-forward. The girl before me failed because she broke the give way rule twice. I stalled doing the three point turn, but that wasn't a problem. And I didn't swear once!

[Tia Maria]

You make it all sound so easy!

I'm not sure I know how to merge into traffic - or maybe I do and just don't know I do - aaarrrgggh hope they don't ask me to!

Cheers

Tia

[Tia Maria]

With U turns, if a car is coming up behind you, should you pull over to the side first, wait for the car to pass then do a U turn? Or just indicate and do it?

Cheers

Tia

[Jo Jo]

You make it all sound so easy!

I'm not sure I know how to merge into traffic - or maybe I do and just don't know I do - aaarrrgggh hope they don't ask me to!

Cheers

Tia

Merging into traffic is where you have to pull out into traffic, then get up to the speed of the road without making anyone have to slow down. So you judge your gap and then just go for it. It's not that bad at all (at least, it's not bad here because there's hardly any traffic!)

[Jo Jo]

With U turns, if a car is coming up behind you, should you pull over to the side first, wait for the car to pass then do a U turn? Or just indicate and do it?

Cheers

Tia

Where I live, they ask you to do the u-turn on a high speed road which has a lay-by bit on each side. Hmmm, they're not really lay-bys, but like a hard shoulder sort of thing. So, you pull onto the hard-shoulder thing so you're out of the way of passing traffic, then do your u-turn. I waited for a car to pass me, then indicated right, then did the u-turn. Because there was nothing coming the other way, I just carried on down the road, but there was enough room for me to have stayed at the side of the road on the other side and wait for traffic to pass if needed.

[Jo Jo]

With U turns, if a car is coming up behind you, should you pull over to the side first, wait for the car to pass then do a U turn? Or just indicate and do it?

Cheers

Tia

Oh, and the examiner will ask you to pull over to the left and stop in a particular place, and then say, "Now, I want you to do a u-turn".

[KelvinAng]

Now that Jo Jo is the first one to pass her restricted test we can now add a new category! :D

Current Learner Members:

Tia Maria
Peebles16
Hannah-NL
Bergita
KelvinAng

Passed Restricted Test! :nice1

Jo Jo

Possible future members:

Shakyle2906 - have you started lessons yet?

Let me know if anyone needs adding/moving.

Cheers

Tia

I've just passed, too, on Friday!

Woohoo!

Ever since riding the little red scooter, and then the not-so-little silver motorbike (complete with a crash story near Moorf's), I've finally decide to buy a silver car (silver's not my colour but it's cheap, so...) and book the test. I cheated by driving an automatic... (if my bike comes in an automatic version I'll buy that, too... yes I'm that lazy!) and it was easy as! I practised several times for three-point turns, parallel parking, reversing round corners, drifting... ok not drifting, and none of these was tested! The hardest event was "reversing in a straight line". After the end of the test session the test officer just said "congrats you passed", and handed me my temporary license... there was no review as to what I've done satisfactorily and not satisfactorily! I paid $88.20 for it, surely they could say something more!

Monday I shall be sitting for my Restricted motorbike test. I'm a bit more worried about the motorbike test... and hope it's as easy as this one! :D

[Tia Maria]

Oh, and the examiner will ask you to pull over to the left and stop in a particular place, and then say, "Now, I want you to do a u-turn".

Thanks Jo Jo, that makes sense.

Cheers

Tia

[Tia Maria]

Congrats KelvinAng - Good Luck for the bike test! :)

Current Learner Members:

Tia Maria
Peebles16
Hannah-NL
Bergita

Passed Restricted Test! :nice1

Jo Jo
KelvinAng

Possible future members:

Shakyle2906 - have you started lessons yet?

Let me know if anyone needs adding/moving.

Cheers

Tia

[peebles16]

WooHoo and big congrats to JoJo and KelvinAng - hopefully I'll be joining you soon :yes

All between me and you am cr***ing it :wah

Karenx

[Jo Jo]

Congratulations, KelvinAng. It's interesting that you didn't have to do a u-turn - maybe I only had to do one because where I live there's only one road that goes through town, so to get back to where you started you have to do a u-turn!

[Jo Jo]

All between me and you am cr***ing it :wah



I was very nervous for about a week beforehand. I slept really badly, and kept waking up thinking, "I can't drive!" I was convinced I was going to fail, and it didn't help that my instructor's other pupil took the test before me and failed! But it was all okay in the end. :)

[peebles16]

I was very nervous for about a week beforehand. I slept really badly, and kept waking up thinking, "I can't drive!" I was convinced I was going to fail, and it didn't help that my instructor's other pupil took the test before me and failed! But it was all okay in the end. :)

Good to hear JoJo :yes I just need to get on and do it cos it will make such a big difference for me and the boys - nevermind that little thing called work :o

I'll keep you posted...

Karenx