[thejoz]

I'm considering taking my test here before arriving in BZ but will my license be valid?

I think that I may have to of held my license for 2 or 3yrs before driving abroad. Is it different if i'm going to NZ? As we drive on the same side of the road.:confused:

[CJ22]

I think you're right - you need to have held it for a certain length of time for it to be valid in NZ. Can't remember how long for though - I'm sure somebody will know.

That being the case, it might be easier to take it in NZ.

[thejoz]

Yes Thanks CJ22,
My potential offer of emplyment seems to be on condition that I can drive other people around in NZ straight away. I thinks it's not possible to do so on just a new UK license but I'd be more than happy to take my test in NZ which I planned on in the first place.

I s everybody sure that I can't drive there with a new UK license, It would be pointless taking it here (UK) in that case. As I'd just have to do it again in NZ.

[Jo Jo]

Have a look at this thread (http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=18293).

[Caroline and Dave]

if you take and pass your test in UK at least that will give you a year to pass your practical and allowing you to drive fully,wheras if you wait till you get to NZ it will be at least 12 months before you get a full licence maybe more depending on age. I would say in your circumstances you are better off passing in the UK.

[Kim39]

if you take and pass your test in UK at least that will give you a year to pass your practical and allowing you to drive fully,wheras if you wait till you get to NZ it will be at least 18 months before you get a full licence. I would say in your circumstances you are better off passing in the UK.

Have to agree with the above, as you will have to go through the process of learners, restricted and then full and its takes a while to go through it.


Kim

[thejoz]

if you take and pass your test in UK at least that will give you a year to pass your practical and allowing you to drive fully,wheras if you wait till you get to NZ it will be at least 12 months before you get a full licence maybe more depending on age. I would say in your circumstances you are better off passing in the UK.

I thought there wasn't another test now, hasn't it just been changed?

If not then what will my driving permissions be there?

[Jo Jo]

The requirement that is about to change is that of taking the theory test within 12 months of arriving in NZ. If your UK license is less than 2 years old, you will need to take a practical test within 12 months of arriving in NZ. But if you leave NZ and come back, the clock is reset, so you have another 12 months. So, in theory, you could leave NZ and come back once or twice (depending on when you get your UK license) and not have to sit the theory test.

As far as I am aware there are no restrictions on driving with a UK license that is less than 2 years old: see the Land Transport Factsheet no 56 (http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/factsheets/56.html) for details.

[thejoz]

Thanks Jo Jo
Great news!

[nickydwuk]

An excerpt from a reply I got from Land Transport NZ
Converting a United Kingdom Licence

As long as you have held your full United Kingdom (UK) licence for more than two years and it has not been expired for more than 12 months, you will be able to convert to a NZ driver licence by completing a theory test only. The cost to convert your licence is currently $44.30 application fee and $39.70 for the theory test. Once you have successfully completed your application and passed the theory test you will be issued with a full NZ licence. Please Note: then you must cease driving on your UK licence.


If you have held your full UK licence for less than two years, you will have to complete a theory and practical test in order to obtain a full NZ licence. In addition to the above costs, the practical driving test will cost up to $70.80.

Hope this helps. I believe they have now changed a little and there is no longer a requirement to sit the theory test (not sure if this extends to those who have held a licence fo rless than 2 years).

[snailandthewhale]

I passed my UK test a few days before leaving for NZ and it made things a lot easier, could drive here unrestricted and just did the theory and practical within the 12 months.
Worth noting though, once you pass the theory, you are then on a restricted license until you pass the practical.

From Land Transport:
If your New Zealand driver licence has been issued with any conditions, you must adhere to them. For example, if you are required to pass the practical test and have not yet done so, you will have a 'supervisor condition'. This means you must be accompanied by a supervisor at all times when you drive. Your supervisor must be someone who holds a full New Zealand driver licence and has held it for at least two years. The supervisor must sit in the front passenger seat.
If you fail the theory test and have been in New Zealand for more than one year, you must not drive in New Zealand.

Also, if anyone in the UK cuts it as fine as I did, don't tell DVLA you're emigrating. My UK license took a long time to be redirected and when I phoned them up from NZ they said they wouldn't issue a UK license to someone not resident in the UK. Said I should've declared my intention to emigrate to the driving test examiner and instead of a license you get a letter of aptitude?? Don't know what the AA office would make of that...
K