[andrewp]

We'll need a car as soon as we arrive in NZ and we have our hearts set on a Honda Jazz. So I'm going to send a mail to a dealer to see what the lead times are on new cars. I'll rent one for a couple of days if needed, but ideally I'd like to pick up my news car within a couple of days of arriving.

My question here is what would we need to register the car in our name? We'll be paying cash since we'll have sold both our cars here when we leave. We'll also be able to give an address since we'll be staying with family. Just not sure what's required for road taxes etc.

Also, do car dealers usually require a deposit when you place an order for a new car? No idea how it works in NZ.

[Caroline and Dave]

Hi,
We bought a Toyota from a Toyota dealer and we arranged everything while we were still in the UK. When you contact the dealer they will be able to let you know their procedures but we did not have to provide a deposit, just an address in NZ plus a photocopy of a driving licence. The price of the car included a years tax plus a full tank of petrol. They even offered to meet us at the airport with it.

[andrewp]

Wow - that sounds great. I have bashed off a mail to one of the Honda dealers. Lets see if they respond...

[padma]

Hi, Welcome to New Zealand...
Here i NZ you can register a Car on your name by visiting any VTNZ or Post Office...
All you need is a ID (your Passport/Overseas Driv Lic) and a proof of address(any letter addressed to you at a NZ address...)

From then on you need to renew the car registeration anually or bianuually....

The process is very easy....

I note from your Handle is that you are from South Africa...
You will be legally allowed to drive for 1 Yr on your SA Driv Lic from the date you land in NZ...

So while you are at in at the VTNZ office just grap a Road Code copy they are around 30-40NZ$. Have a read through before you drive so that you are aware of all the driving rules of NZ. You will also need it to prepare for NZ driver lic test.....

Since you are from SA all you need is to appear a theory test(Costs 70-80NZ$) to get a full NZ Driving lic. No need for practical driving test(You are lucky mostly new immigrants from other countries have to appear this practical test 3-4 times to get a NZ Lic...)
Once you have read it a couple of times and you are confident with NZ road rules again goto any VTNZ office again and then ask for 'License Conversion'. No need for appointment. They will give you a objective type questionaire.
It has 35 Questions and you have to get minimum 32 right in order to pass the test.

If you pass the test they will get your mugshots and you will immidiately get a full NZ driv lic otherwise you just lost 70$ and you will have to re-appear this test again...

Note if you do this process then you will pay less insurance here on your brand New car........If you are on a Overseas lic and a new immigrant the insurance companies will not touch you . It will help you to get insurance if have a letter with you from your existing insurance company from your home country stating the years you have been insured and the claims if any... If you have this letter you will get 50-60% discount straight on your insurance premiums...

Note I was quoted 1200$ pa on a third party cover on my 2500$ car when I landed here.....

[benandclare]

Or follow this thread,

http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=18403&highlight=driving+license


:cheers

[andrewp]

Thanks Padma, but I see with the new regs coming I wont even have to do the theory. South Africa is one of the countries exempt from the tests.

[Silverwing86]

Hi Andrew and Sue,

First of all, congratulations on your choice of car ! I bought a NZ new Honda Jazz from Honda North Shore in December last year and positively love it !

There is a lead time for the delivery of new Honda's, but it depends very much on when you make your enquiries. Mostly they can deliver quite quickly, but of course it also depends on what specifications you choose for your new car.

Generally speaking Honda are quite good about courtesy cars, we had one for several weeks before hubby's lease car was delivered (Honda CRV) so that we could return the rental earlier. It might be worth letting them know your situation, you never know, they might offer you one too which would save you some money for a rental.

Smart move on their part by the way since the courtesy car was a Jazz and that experience was what made me choose it when it came time for me to buy. Ordinarily, from the look of it I probably wouldn't even have considered it at all since I had been driving a Ford Focus before and thought I wanted something with a bit more power, but it was such a pleasant surprise, both to drive and in the amount of space it offered, that I did take it into account when the time came. Of course it's reliability and fuel economy made the final decision so much easier, pretty much a no-brainer :yes !

Also, don't worry about all the paperwork, they tend to take care of pretty much everthing that needs to be done for you. They can also explain in detail what needs to be done annually/bi-annually.

They did require a deposit, I paid $ 1000 upon ordering.

I also wanted to let you know that experiences seem to be different where insurance is concerned. We had no problems whatsoever getting the insurance as new migrants with foreign licences (we did have PR), and obtaining our Kiwi licences made no difference at all to our premium. As an indication, I pay $ 645 p.a. Full Cover for the Jazz 1.5 sports version with ASB (when paying for the whole year at once), and taking into account that we have a package deal with them (ie other insurances as well).

Have you chosen a type, colour, and had a look through the Accessories list yet ? Isn't it great fun shopping for a new car ;) ?

In case you're considering buying from Honda North Shore as well, let me know if you'd like the name of a (useful !) contact there, or assistance in getting in touch with them or other help of any kind. Would be glad to help if you need it.

Hope this helps and enjoy the purchasing process !

Cheers,
Silver

PS In case you are interested in doing the online theory tests to familiarise yourself with the Roadcode in NZ, check out the links in this thread (http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?p=187203#post187203).

[cappuccino]

we have our hearts set on a Honda Jazz

I am DESPERATELY trying to sell my Honda Jazz in the UK. Wish there was someone there who had set their hearts on one as much as you!

[andrewp]

Hi Silver,

Thanks for all that info. Really good to hear and please PM me the details of the person that helped you. Since we're initially going to be based in Glendene I tried to contact the Avondale dealer but they haven't got back to me so perhaps they don't want my business;)

Sorry I can't help out cappuccino but it probably wouldn't make sense to buy your car when I'm in SA, you're in the UK and we're both heading to NZ:o

[Silverwing86]

You're most welcome :yes, glad to be of help.

Have PM'd you...

Cheers,
Silver

[mgf]

Anyone know when the regs regarding converting lic supposed to go into effect? I am patiently holding out :yes

[slider]

Anyone know when the regs regarding converting lic supposed to go into effect? I am patiently holding out :yes

1st September 2008
Check out this link
http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/rules/q-and-a/driver-licensing-amendment-2008.html