Cars and Doctors

JCM · Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 4:32 pm Post subject:

I'd second what Gerry has said. You can pick up a servicable car pretty cheaply here because they just don't rust. You can see people running around in all sorts of old fashioned cars here that would have dissolved into a pile of rust long ago in the UK. Razz

Just make sure that you get a good oldie rather than a lemon that'll need repaired every second week and you'll be alright.

Charlotte · I Like It Here Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Posts: 70

Thanks JCM and Gerry (we are indeed looking for Shangri -la! ),

I didn't realise that we could pick up a decent car so cheaply! Is it possible to drive on a visitors or student visa? What is the NZ equivalent of the AA?

Is it possible to get mobile phones, if you are not a resident?

Do doctors make house calls there?

Sorry for all the questions - I want to find out as much as I can, before we move! Thanks for being patient! cool

dan-ish · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 9:53 pm Post subject: Answers

Hey Charlotte,

Cars are indeed quite cheap in NZ. The NZ equivalent of the AA is, you guessed it, the AA. I take it you mean Automobile Association and not Alcoholics Anonymous fingers crossed

When I went to NZ I could drive just using my British Driving License. It is, however, recomended that you get an international driving license when driving in NZ. You don't have to take another test to get one, but I think it does cost a few bob. Have a look on the AA website:

http://www.theaa.com/getaway/idp/index.html

With regards to getting a mobile phone, I know that you can certainly get a Pay-As-You-Go phone. I think they even sell them in "The Warehouse" - Where everyone gets a bargain! I had one in NZ and the calls were cheap and the service was good, but my girlfriend managed to smash it up in the boot of the car Nutcase

I am afraid I can't help you with the Doctors thing, but I am sure one of the other friendly forum members can, over to you...

Dan-ish

karltsmith · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 10:08 pm Post subject:

Hi Charlotte,

On a full UK licence you can just sit a written test which is easy-peasy after a few days of swatting and you don't need to do a practical test! You have to answer some oral questions aswell but believe me its nothing compared to a UK test!!!! You could get your licence witthin a couple of months tops if you put your mind to it!

lesly · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 10:13 pm Post subject:

You are all so lucky!! I have to learn to drive on the left side of the road Nutcase

I can't practice in Belgium, because everybody look so strange when I do that!!! Eek

karltsmith · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 10:17 pm Post subject:

Not so sure about that Lesly on an EU licence I think the same rules might apply! i.e. you may get away with just a written test? Try checking out the MOT (ministry of transport site) for the requirements!

lesly · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 10:23 pm Post subject:

Thanks Karl,

I think I can drive with my licence for 1 year but I would have to do the written test after that. My husband once visited NZ for a couple of months and he could drive as much as he wanted there.
I'll certainly check out the MOT site.

karltsmith · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 10:40 pm Post subject:

Info on driving in NZ as follows from LTSA site:- Nice One

New residents and visitors - driving in New Zealand

Can I drive in New Zealand?

Yes — if you have a current overseas driver licence or international driving permit you can drive for one year after you first arrive in New Zealand.

If you do not have an overseas driver licence or an international driving permit you cannot drive. You must apply for a New Zealand driver licence (see factsheet 45 for more information).

You can only drive the types of vehicles covered by your overseas driver licence or international driving permit.

Can I drive to earn money?

If you want to earn a living from driving you will probably need to convert to a New Zealand driver licence first. You will certainly need to do so if you want to deal with the public or carry dangerous goods. Then you must find out if you need a driver licence endorsement.

For example, you have to complete courses, pass exams and be cleared by a Police check in New Zealand before you can earn money carrying passengers, driving a tow-truck or working as a driving instructor or testing officer.

Contact the nearest regional office of the Land Transport Safety Authority (LTSA) for more information.

When do I have to get a New Zealand driver licence?
You can drive using an overseas licence or an international driving permit for a maximum of one year after you first arrive. You must then convert your overseas licence to a New Zealand driver licence.

Apply for a conversion to a New Zealand driver licence BEFORE the year has passed, to make sure you have one in time.

You will have to pass a theory test and, depending on the country you have come from, pass a practical driving test as well.

Forms to apply for an overseas licence conversion are available from LTSA driver licensing agents.

Driver licensing agents are participating offices of:

New Zealand Automobile Association
Vehicle Testing New Zealand
Vehicle Inspection New Zealand, and
On Road New Zealand.

Vehicle classes

Different types of vehicles are grouped in ‘classes’. Cars and other light-weight motor vehicles are Class 1. Classes 2 - 5 cover different types of trucks, while Class 6 covers motorcycles. Most people will sit the theory and practical tests for Class 1 vehicles.

If you rode a motorcycle or drove trucks before coming to New Zealand and want to do so here, make sure you know which vehicle class you need — there are different theory tests and practical tests for different classes of vehicle.

Why do I have to sit a theory test?

All drivers must know the road rules, what the road signs mean and how to drive safely. Learning the road rules is particularly important because of our unique ‘Give Way’ rule (you must give way to vehicles coming from the opposite direction and turning right, when you are turning left). You can find out more about this rule and others when you study the Road Code.

Does everyone sit the practical test?

No. Some countries require similar driving skills and have similar licensing systems to New Zealand's. The law recognises that drivers from these countries usually have adequate driving skills, and they may not have to sit the practical driving test.

Other countries have very different driver licensing systems. Where there are significant differences in the way drivers obtain licences we require people from those countries to show that they can drive safely. This helps ensure our roads are safer for everyone.

Who doesn't have to sit the driving test?
If your licence comes from Australia, Canada, Norway, a member state of the European Union, South Africa, Switzerland or the United States of America and is current (or expired within the past 12 months), and you've held that licence for more than two years, you don't have to sit the practical test.

(You still need to pass the theory test. If you don't pass the theory test, you cannot drive.)

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

lesly · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 11:28 pm Post subject:

Good info Karl,

I 'm very happy that I don't have to do the practical test, I remember that lively when I did it here in Belgium ! I had to do it twice, I'm a real bag of nerves Nutcase

Happy driving to us all Nice One

MichelleW · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 6:09 am Post subject:

Lesly,
You drive on the right side of the road? We do here as well.I thought the US was the only one who did that.I am going to have to learn to drive on the left as well.That should be interesting! Wink

Michelle

Charlotte · I Like It Here Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Posts: 70

Hi everyone!

Dan-ish: yes, I did mean the Automobile Association. Laughing

Thanks for the link!

And also for the info on phones. I feel LOST without one, so I'm glad it'll be easy for us to get them in NZ.

Karl: cheers for the info! My husband has his British licence, and it's a relief to know we don't have to *rush* into getting a NZ licence.

I don't drive. Embarassed

I know how to drive (only automatic) - but I haven't taken my test. I don't mind the theory test, but I keep putting off taking the practical test, out of nervousness. I hope the driving test in NZ is easier than the UK one. I'd love to get my licence.

lesly · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 9:07 am Post subject:

Hi Michelle,

Yes, we drive on the right side too. I guess almost every European drives on the right side (except for those strange people in the UK! Laughing

)
I hope we will never 'bump' into eachother!! That would mean a major
earthquake in NZ! Wink

Cheers, Lesly

JCM · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 6:50 pm Post subject:

dan-ish · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 9:45 pm Post subject: Drivin'

Hey guys,

Lesly - The whole driving on the left business is an Island thing I guess. Cyprus drive on the left, as do people in NZ, Japan and Fiji. Weird, eh? Confused

Charlotte - driving in NZ is really easy if you have come from the UK. The only thing to really remember is that if you are turning left you must ALWAYS give way to the people turning right into the same road! Nutcase

That got me into a few scrapes, I can tell you!

Also, automatics are abound in NZ. It is usually a bit more expensive to buy one in England, I think, but in NZ they are quite common and therefore reasonably priced. We had an Automatic Honda Accord and it took us from Northland all the way to Invercargill.

You should have no problem passing your test in NZ, good luck! Nice One

Dan-ish

Charlotte · I Like It Here Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Posts: 70

Hi everyone,

JCM: thanks for the info on doctors! Nice One

Dan-ish: I'll remember to give way Laughing

I'm *really* pleased we'll be able to pick up an automatic car in NZ, for such a reasonable price.

Cheers!