[Carnoustie Family]

We are considering accepting a 2-year contract in Auckland within the next few weeks. We have a 16-year old daughter who is desperate to learn to drive - terrifying or what!! :uhoh Does anyone have any first hand experience of teenage learner drivers in NZ? Lots of questions - what age can they actually take lessons, how much do they cost - long shot........ but any recommended instructors?

Sarah

[Carol]

Hi Sarah



As soon as they turn 15 they can apply for a learner licence - which enables them to drive accompanied by a driver with a full licence.
They have to be on their learners for.... um 12 months I think (but will check) before they can take their "restricted" test. (practical)
If they pass - they can drive unaccompanied between 7am and 10pm.
They can only have passengers in the car with them if one of them is a qualified driver. (I believe they need to sit in the front - but again - can't be certain).
They are on that for 18 months and then they can take their "full" test for unlimited driving.
The restricted period can be reduced if they opt to take an "Advanced Driving Skills" course after they have been on restricted for 6 months. It reduces their restricted period down to 12 months.

I used to think it was crazy - and for some kids it definitely is - they are just not mature enough.

However - for the kids with a good level of common sense it works well. It's certainly better than letting them loose on a motorway the minute they have passed their test - but had no experience of motorway driving!

I would say (broadly speaking) that the majority of 16 year olds will have had some driving experience here.
It's just seen as "normal".

Hope that helps - taking them out for driving lessons is a WHOLE new experience though!!!
:exit ;)

[Carnoustie Family]

Hey Carol

You have just brought a huge smile to my daughter's face :clap . Many thanks for this - can't help it but it fills me with fear and dread :D

Thanks again.

Sarah

[wiki]

First hand, in as much as I learnt to drive in NZ - but that was *sigh* 17 years ago.

This is the official "what to do when" site from the NZ land transport authority:

http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/licensing/car/learner.html

As long as you are over 15 you can sit your theory test and get your learner licence: which means you can drive a car, but not on your own.

You can apply for your restricted licence after you've held a learner licence for at least six months - this involves the driving test.

(From the website)
The practical test is divided into three parts:

Part 1

This is conducted in a low speed area (up to 60 km/h) and assesses your ability to safely and legally control your vehicle in simple driving situations, for example:
leaving and returning to the kerb
driving straight
turning left.

Part 2

This is conducted in a low speed area, but assesses your ability to safely and legally control your vehicle in more complex driving situations, such as:

higher traffic density
multiple lane roads.

Part 3

This is conducted in higher speed zones (where practical) and assesses your ability to safely and legally control your motor vehicle in complex driving situations.

During all three parts the testing officer decides whether your behaviour is satisfactory or unsatisfactory in the following areas:

Search: This includes regular visual scanning of the road to the front, back and sides for hazards. It includes using rear-view mirrors and turning your head to check.
Speed control: This includes the suitability of your speed for the driving conditions; smooth braking and smooth acceleration.
Direction control: This includes steering, positioning the vehicle and signalling.
Gap selection: This includes merging with traffic flow.

*** When I took my practical it was in Te Anau with a) no hills for hill starts, b) no traffic lights and c) no roundabouts - a very easy test!

* If you get your restricted licence it means you can drive on your own (but not between 10pm and 5am)
* You can't carry passengers unless you have a "supervisor" (over 20 and with a full licence for more than 2 years)

You can apply for a full driver licence after 18 months on your restricted licence if you're under 25 years of age, or after six months on your restricted licence if you're 25 years of age or older. This is reduced if you successfully complete an approved course (which our school paid for - it cut our 18 months down to nine months)

Apparently now you have to sit another driving test when you apply for the full licence (not in my day)


No one I know took "official" driving lessons - that's what our Dads and Mums were for :) but there are firms around that offer -try this google search to start:

driving lessons in NZ (http://www.google.co.nz/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=driving+lessons&btnG=Search&meta=cr%3DcountryNZ)

I got my full licence by the time I was 16 and a quarter. My little sister on the otherhand has been on her restricted for the past 14 years! and only just got her full last year because she couldn't be bothered to do the paperwork earlier.

ETA: Carol explained it much more succinctly while I was busy typing lol :)

[Carnoustie Family]

Hi Wiki

Thanks SO much. We all laughed at your sister's lack of motivation :laugh ! Also I think my daughter may try and track down Te Anau to sit any test ;) !

Thanks very much indeed!

Sarah

[gil]

Hi Sarah,

Great explanantions from Carol and Wiki.

Our daughter is 15 and is about to apply for her learner licence. She starts school tomorrow and is going to ask peers for driving school reommendations. Our only difficulty is the practice side. As we have not yet got NZ driver licences ourseelves (only arrived end Nov), we cannot legally sit as her supervisors, which means she can't drive about and practise :(

We would have not qualms about her driving as she is mature and sensible (most of the time!) but the thought of our son (11 in a couple of weeks) behind a wheel in just 4 years time.....:eek:

I'm sure it will help your daughter to settle in as it will give her the independence they crave at 16!

Good luck,

gil

[Carnoustie Family]

Hey Gil

Sounds like we have a similar aged family! Like you, our daughter is pretty sensible but our son is a totally different story - I'm sure it's a familiar story in many families. Hope your move has been successful and that you are happy in NZ. I sincerely hope we do get our job offer as the winter blues are definitely kicking in here in the north east of Scotland :( Scraping the ice of the car this morning made me wish for milder weather :D

Sarah

[wiki]

The age is so low in NZ (compared to say the UK) because of the kids who live out on farms and need to drive to school, part-time jobs, or to drive farm vehicles (you can drive tractors if you have a car licence)

There have been a lot of calls for the age to be raised, but it's always been rejected because there is arguably a big need to drive earlier on.

I used to have great confusion getting car insurance in the UK because they'd ask how long I'd had a full licence for for and I'd say 1991 and they would say "that doesn't compute - you weren't 17 until 1992" lol.

[katandbob]

Hi Sarah, Ill add what I have experienced since being here for 8mths, and our teenage boys 5mths :

with the eldest who was 18 we paid and sent off an application to convert his UK learner licence (as with all who have full licences have to do when they change them over after a year) As because he had held his Learner licence for over 2 yrs he could skip the 6 months on the Learner permit (it was a lot of form filling and $$$ - as they still charge you the full $)

then all he had to do was do the Theory and also the pratical test - He did well, drove how he did with the instructor (he did a mock test with an NZ driving instructor) - BUT FAILED because - Gap selection: This includes merging with traffic flow. the TEST inspector decided that he hadn't left enough room when pulling out of a junction (When you get the Roadbook - Check up on the ACCEPTABLE gap limit, it is very wide and this is what caught him out!

He had enough of NZ by then and has since flown back to the UK :(

Teenager no 2 is a bit like Wiki's sister - can't be bothered to read the manual! :no
I have told him to get into it as I am having a great deal of trouble finding transport to the polytechnic he will be going to on the 19th feb....SO concequently until he passes his restricted licence (6mths from when he passes his Theory) I am MRS TAXI! :roll NO Bus service into town unless they go to a SCHOOL - not SIT..... well there is a shuttle service - $40 each way (NO WAY!) for a 22k trip - we are rural - but not as rural as some can be, and this is why its essential for rural kids - although i wouldnt be letting him drive long distances to unknown areas) work/school/friends (hopefully he'll get some soon - 5 mths without any is a bit much!) and home - thats it!

Now as to the Theory - they sell tests for you to learn on - and they are the same questions as teh real tests!

Good luck

Kat (going to shove said manual under sons nose tonight :nice1 )


The age is so low in NZ (compared to say the UK) because of the kids who live out on farms and need to drive to school, part-time jobs, or to drive farm vehicles (you can drive tractors if you have a car licence)

There have been a lot of calls for the age to be raised, but it's always been rejected because there is arguably a big need to drive earlier on.

I used to have great confusion getting car insurance in the UK because they'd ask how long I'd had a full licence for for and I'd say 1991 and they would say "that doesn't compute - you weren't 17 until 1992" lol.