[Moorf]

I am sure you all know that you can drive on your UK/Int'l driving licence for 12 months before you need to get a NZ Licence.

Did you know, however, that the 12 months begins with your FIRST arrival in the country and the clock starts ticking at that point??

Was musing this over with another forum member, and finally found the info on a website:

You can only drive in New Zealand if you have either an overseas licence or an international driving permit which you can use for up to one year from the day you arrive in New Zealand. After 12 months you cannot drive using an international licence - you must convert it to a New Zealand driver's licence. "

The 12 months begins from the FIRST time you arrive in the country. Some people think they can come in and out of New Zealand within the 12 month period and that the one year driving time on an international licence starts again east time - it does not! The clock starts ticking the day you FIRST arrive and expires 12 months later. You must then get a New Zealand licence to continue to drive.

Source: http://www.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/informationfor/currentstudents/internationalcommunity/driving.cfm

An email (that was received by another forum member) also confirmed:

"I have included the following from the Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Rule 1999.

"Overseas licence holders driving in New Zealand are only entitled to drive until the first of the following three situations occur (per Section 88 (2) (c) of the Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Rule 1999):

A period of 12 months, beginning on the date the person first arrive in New Zealand, elapses; or

The document that enabled that person to be deemed to hold a New Zealand driver licence under subclause (1) expires, is suspended, or is revoked; or

An order is made disqualifying the person from holding or obtaining a driver licence, either in New Zealand or in the jurisdiction that granted the licence or permit."
Please note if a person has visited NZ prior to 1 May 1999, the 12 month period will start from there first date of return after that. If a person has visited NZ in the past, but did not hold an overseas licence previously, they also can use the 12 month period from their first date of arrival while in possession of an overseas licence. "

So, if you came over in, say May 2000, and you come back now you must get your NZ licence immediately as your ability to drive on your UK/Int'l licence will have run out in May 2001! Likewise, if you come out on a recce now and then return in 6 months time, you have just 6 mths remaining until you need to get a NZ Licence.

I assume I am reading this right? :?

[Robert Dazzler]

I am sure you all know that you can drive on your UK/Int'l driving licence for 12 months before you need to get a NZ Licence.

Did you know, however, that the 12 months begins with your FIRST arrival in the country and the clock starts ticking at that point??
.......


......
So, if you came over in, say May 2000, and you come back now you must get your NZ licence immediately as your ability to drive on your UK/Int'l licence will have run out in May 2001! Likewise, if you come out on a recce now and then return in 6 months time, you have just 6 mths remaining until you need to get a NZ Licence.

I assume I am reading this right? :?


I don`t think that`s right.....

"Mr Williams said there was nothing stopping Asian students studying for 10 months in New Zealand using their overseas licence, going home for a few months then returning still using their overseas licence."

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10123036


Bobby.

[Carol]

The test isn't that hard.....best just to do it and get it over with asap!

[Moorf]

I did think it was a bit of a strange set-up. However, the email was unclear and I wanted to clear things up as my parents, who have been over for a few months in the past, are coming out for a long visit so wanted to ensure I had all the facts.

I think I might call relevant authority this week just to be sure.

[Moorf]

Although I should add that the email quote above was received from:-


Senior Customer Services Representative
Transport Registry Centre
Land Transport New Zealand

[clarabell]

So, if we come back from our hols in Jan 06, our licences will run out Jan 07? So when we finally make the move in July 07, our Brit licences will be useless?? :eek

Or does this only apply when PR has been granted?

[joanne]

Is the test theory or practical or both?

[marcia]

OH MY GOD!

We are coming over in dec/jan and it will probably take ages after that to get accepted (if we apply which I'm sure we will!)

My hubby was hoping to try and get a job with his HGV class one licence how does this affect that plan?

[jo b]

Well that measn when we first went over there in 1991 our 12 months was up in 1992.

I think it must be exempt if you come on a visitors visa surely.

Jo

[foolsgold99]

This point was made to me when I took out insurance on my car. I was asked if I'd visited NZ at any point in the past, because if I had, then my lic would only have been valid for a year from that date. I was told that many people think it's a year from each time you arrive in the country, but it isn't.

If I drove after the 12 months, from my first arrival then my car insurance would not be valid. Apparently there are 200k+ people driving in NZ on licenses that are not valid. Some people have done so for decades.

All depends on where you are coming from, but from the uk you only need to do a theory test.

[foolsgold99]

For the aviodance of any doubt, here is the goverment web page that gives all the rules.

http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/factsheets/56.html

[KerryS]

The time does start from your very first visit - even if that was only on a visitors visa.

The theory test is incredibly easy - you just have to answer 40 multiple choice questions and need to get 35 correct. You just scratch out the box next to the answer and it has a tick or cross in the box.

If you are from the EU and have held your licence for more than 2 years you only need to do the theory test.

It took me 5 minutes to do the test and about 2 hours of queueing to get my licence issued!

[wayne]

I wouldnt worry too much about your licence being not valid as there is a huge number of people driving without a licence ( mainly asian) we have visited in 2001 used my licence to get a hire car for a month and was back again 14 months later and used it again to hire a car.
My son has lived in NZ for 2years and never bothered to get a NZ licence and has been stopped by the cops and they never seem bothered about his UK driving licence they just write the ticket for speeding or whatever they werent fussed that his rego had run out they just gave him his ticket and off they went.
We will be there again in august and plan to have a few weeks off bfore we start work so getting a NZ licence will be just another thing to add to the list of things to do in those first few weeks, plant to rent a car for a couple of weeks before buying one

[Moorf]

wouldnt worry too much about your licence being not valid as there is a huge number of people driving without a licence

Your car insurance will be invalid so that's not really a very responsible route to go down.

Sure, for speeding offences they don't seem to ask you about how long you have been driving on your UK licence (at least they didn't when I was pulled) but if you are involved in a car accident then they will certainly be digging deeper - especially the insurers.

[wayne]

I guess it was a bit irresponsible the way I posted it but you have insurance too! the last time I lived in NZ the only people who bothered with insurance were people who bought new cars, could you please clear up this whole insurance thing for us as my son says no one he knows bothers with insurance, I know that my brother-in-law never had insurance.
Mind you with so many uninsured drivers on the road it would make sense to I will definately insure my Harley when it arrives

[jonSE]

While I agree with the interpretation of the rule as posted above it would seem that the fact sheet (which is not the actual legislation) has not been written very well.

it would seem ludicrous that you could not come here on Hols a few times and be required to gain an NZ licence a year after the first visit. Yet very sensible that if you are resident here you only have 1 year to get an NZ licence.

One could ask why Car Rental companies don't ask if you have been to NZ before?

I had better tell my wife that her right to drive on her uk licence here expired 25 years ago. (sometime before she got a UK licence.)

Jon
got my NZ licence last week
PS it's 32 correct out of 35 to pass.

[Moorf]

True, you don't have to have car insurance.

Sorry if I confused matters, I guess I err on the side of caution and ensure I'm insured.

You should look at the details of your car insurance with regards to liability - some cover you against uninsured/underinsured drivers and some don't and require you to add in this part of the policy. If you aren't covered and an uninsured driver hits you or is responsible for an accident you are involved in you may lose your no claims bonus and have to pay the excess. You can, of course, sue for damage but claims like this are clogging up the dispute tribunal system and can take ages.

[wayne]

Thanks for that I'm more concerned about theft of my Harley than accidental damage car wrecks dont worry me as I'm a panelbeater by trade :cool

[Moorf]

I contacted a reputable and world-wide car hire firm in Chch about this driving licence fiasco. I was "posing" as a concerned returning tourist ;)

I have finally received a reply:

Thank you for your email – I can appreciate your concerns. Ironically, I went through this exercise myself when I saw the legislation and its requirements.

I phoned the Land Transport Authority’s helpline and spoke to a young woman at the call centre who informed me that the legislation says exactly what it says in the rule you have included in your e-mail.

I asked to speak to a senior person because the whole thing seemed ridiculous to me. I went so far as to quote an example of an airline pilot who for the past 25 years has been flying in and out of New Zealand and hiring a rental car on each of his trips.

I was effectively told that he was driving illegally.

I was unable to get any sensible answers from the call centre so I contacted the Christchurch manager of the land transport safety authority.

He explained that the reason for the legislation was to prevent immigrants driving on their original licenses once they have permanent residence status in New Zealand.

He assures me that although the legislation is worded in what might appear any misleading way, it is not interpreted in that manner by the authorities.

It would seem one of the problems we encounter is the large number of young people who come to study in New Zealand for at least five or six years, and they use their trips home for holidays as reasons why they don't need to get a New Zealand driver's license. To prevent that, the legislation was written in that way.

I am assured that tourists like yourself coming into New Zealand have nothing to fear, your license is valid.

I hope this helps.

I hope this puts some of your minds at rest :nice1

[Bubbles]

Off topic slightly, but its to do with licencing.
Anybody know anything about Kiwi motor cycle licences, ie: like in the uk I believe you can take a test that will cover you upto a certain cc for so long then you take the biggy.
I've been toying with the idea of getting my bike licence for some time but not sure if I should do it in the UK or wait until I get there. !! :?

Any info' would be appreciated by anyone in the know in an attempt to save me some time trawling the net. :nice1

John

[Timbo]

Sounds like the same mid-life crisis I am having John. :laugh

[jo b]

John

check out the costs first it might work out cheaper to take your test in NZ.

Then When you take your theory test would that not cover your driving license as well.

But if you have to take you theory in NZ anyway and you can ride a motorcycle on your UK licence that would cover it that way.

http://www.megarider.com/nzmsc.html
http://www.roaduser.co.nz/mc.htm

The above links might help.

Jo

[wayne]

John if you were to take your m/cycle test here in the UK depending on your age if you are over 23(I think thats the age) you can get your bike licence on a "direct access" which depending on your area ( around here Kent ) costs around £500 and is done in a week almost guaranteed a pass, my friend had ridden mopeds years ago took this route had a weeks holiday from work and passed first time,if you fail I think you only have to pay extra for the retest fee. Get to NZ take an online theory test forty minutes later your done :cool
NZ has some awsome biking roads thats why I'm taking my harley with us to NZ ,I have been told that bike insurance is very expensive in NZ though mainly due to the amount of motorcycle thefts (biker gangs)

[Bubbles]

Thankyou folks, much appreciated. :mrgreen:

:clap :clap

Mid life crisis Timbo, its not that obvious is it. :laugh

[jo b]

Hey Bubbles I am expecting just an chocolate bar when it's my mid life crisis which I seem to be having more than once ;)

Jo

[Bubbles]

Jo,
give me the nod when it comes round to you again and I'll get the choccie in for you. Plain or Milk, Cadbury's or Galaxy.

:nice1

[ruthyroo]

For anyone whose UK licence is about to expire in NZ... head to the Cook Islands where you can buy a driving licence for a few $$$ Then when you return you can drive in NZ on this licence for a further year! We are heading to Rarotonga in July which overlaps with our arrival date 1 year on, so can drive to the airport with our UK licences, then drive home on our Cook Islands ones :laugh !

only joking, will sit the test as it looks pretty straighforward.

[veronica]

If you've read the book its really easy. just those of you who took your licence before 1997 be aware that you can take the class2 hgv licence at the same time. as I am older than most of you guys my licence catorgary wasn't on the comparison list over here so I emailed the UK for details. copy of reply below.....

Thank you for your e-mail.

I can confirm that old style driving licences showed the entitlement for a
car as group A rather than category B as it is known now.

Drivers who passed their car test and obtained a UK licence before the 1
January 1997 normally have entitlement to drive 16 passenger seat minibuses
(D1, not for hire and reward) and vehicles between 3500kg and 7500kg (C1)
with a trailer up to 750kg- combined weight up to 8250kg. This entitlement
will normally expire the day before the driver's 70th birthday.

Drivers who passed their car test and obtained a UK licence on or after the
1 January 1997 will only have entitlement to drive motor vehicles with a
Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) not exceeding 3500kg having no more than 8
passenger seats with a trailer up to 750kg. Combinations of towing vehicles
in category B and a trailer, where the MAM of the combination does not
exceed 3500kg and MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen mass of the
towing vehicle are also permitted.

I hope that the above information has been of assistance however, should you
require confirmation of your driving licence details, please telephone the
Centre to request a certificate of entitlement.

Switchboard Telephone No. 01792 78 2341

Opening Hours - Monday to Friday 8.15am - 4.30pm

A fee of £5.00 is charged to cover the cost of issuing a certificate giving
licensing details (a D737 certificate).

When you telephone the Centre you will be asked to provide your full
personal details or driver number and details of your credit/debit card
number (we accept Visa, Eurocard, MasterCard and Maestro). If the
credit/debit card holder is someone other than yourself we will also need to
speak to them.





Regards

Mrs C. Mogford

Drivers Customer Enquiries
C1
Tel no: 0870 240 0009

drivers.dvla@gtnet.gov.uk

www.dvla.gov.uk

[adamsat]

This may have been posted before but www.roadcodetest.co.nz has some mock tests available on-line.

Seems fairly straightforward.