NZ restricted licence in South America

[wdip001]

Hello there,

I have 3 months off at the end of next year. I want to get my motorcycle licence to travel around South America. Unfortunately, in NZ you have to have your learners for 6 months, then your restricted licence for 18 months. This means by the time I travel over there I will not be able to get an IDP.

I have found this thread which suggests that I don't need an IDP:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...e-for-us-63886

Sorry, I'm new here, but basically I want to know whether I would run into trouble using a NZ restricted motorcycle licence in South America, and would this affect my insurance?

Regards

William

[mark manley]

Hi William and welcome,
I think you would get away with your restricted licence as far as the law is concerned, the police might accept it or give you a fine, but your problem might be if you need to claim on your travel, as in medical insurance. Certainly UK insurance companies ask to see a copy of your full motorcycle licence if you make a claim after an accident, no full licence no payout.

[phazael]

Kia Ora William

1. I understand that Southern Cross will allow bikes up to 200cc and world nomads allow motor cycling as part of their normal coverage - as long as the appropriate licences are held. AA also allows motorbikes but will not cover you above altitude of 2500 metres. I have used world nomads for off piste skiing and had no problems with a claim - paid promptly and to the letter for myself and two mates who had a travel disruption. SX also no problem with a claim

2. If you are over 25 can you not skip the 18 month period and go for your full licence after 6 months ? My bike licence expired and I had to go through the 6 month probationary period but after that it was just a matter of satisfying the examiner that I knew the code and was not going to be a hoon. A little easier when you are 60 plus.!

3. Please do not even consider travelling without insurance - particularly on a bike in SA. We are blessed in NZ with a good national health system and ACC but you have to get home.

4. Finally. I head to SA next month . I have bought a Chinese bike and plan to tour it for three months. Happy to share any experiences and tips with you.

Ride safe

Peter

[wdip001]

Thanks for the feedback, Mark. Sounds like it's key to have my full license for insurance...

[wdip001]

Hi Peter,

Yes I'd be very keen to hear about your trip! How much is it costing you to ship your bike across?

Apparently if you do "competency-based training and assessment" (CBTA), then you can get your full license after 12 months!

Competency-based training and assessment (CBTA) | NZ Transport Agency

I'll look into this further.

Cheers

Will

[phazael]

Hi Will

Not shipping a bike from NZ. I have bought a Sumo Tekker 250cc bike in Peru on a buy back scheme. Cost will be around $NZ 10 a day for 80 days and that includes insurance. You only need a 250cc bike in SA. I have bought the Tekker second hand from a tour company and it has been refurbished. The company has a good rep but I will fill you in once the trip is completed.

I did Central America on a Suzuki 125 a couple of years ago. The bike, from memory, was nearly new and cost me $US600 and did not miss a beat over 8000km. I gave it away at the end of three months to a local kids charity because it was easier than going through the rigamorole to sell and I reckoned $200 a month for transport was pretty good.

The bikes are easily understood and fixed by local mechanics and parts are freely available .

When I did Europe, Morocco, Ukraine,Turkey I bought a V strom 650 in the UK and shipped it home to NZ for just under $NZ2000. My V strom was a year old and done 20k km when I bought it with panniers and full adventure kit. It cost me around $NZ6000. As I have UK/NZ citizenship I could swap my licence for a UK one and get cheaper insurance. I have done in excess of 50k km and she has not missed a beat - just changed the sprockets and chain and put on Metzeler tyres. We will rust away together I think

I did one of those training schemes a few years ago and I remember it was paid for and sponsored by the local council ( I live on the Coromandel) so it may be worth giving your local road safety officer a call

You can travel on a bike pretty frugally. I do not camp in less developed countries and living well costs me around NZ$75 a day In Nicaragua I met a couple of kiwi boys ,who spoke passable Spanish, supplementing their funds working as a barman and surf instructor- they were surviving pretty well. Kiwis have a good reputation for hard work and if you have some skills, dive master, canoe, rafting, skiing , mountain bike instructing you can often pick up work. Hell,I even managed to work for six months in Thailand after I retired as a divemaster.

Ok raved enough.

Regards

Peter