Overseas driver license conversions
Hi all,
I’ve just converted my Malaysian driver license recently. Thought I would share my experience here.
English Translation
If your overseas driver license is not in English, you need to have a copy of English translation. This can be done by the Road Transport Department in your home country. I had one done in Malaysia for just RM10.00.
Initially the licensing agent refused to accept my translation copy. The reason given was the translation must be done in NZ. And without checking with NZTA, the agent gave me a list of translators and sent me home.
But the NZTA website http://www.nzta.govt.nz/licence/resi...ml#translators clearly stated that the copy I have should be acceptable. After calling NZTA to clarify, the agent finally accepted my copy.
Please call NZTA 0800 822 422 if the driver licensing agent refuse to accept your translation copy.
Eyesight Screening Test
When you look into the eyesight screening device, it has rows of letters in random order. The agent will ask you to read a row from left to right. Just read out accordingly.
The device I had was not very clear, or was it a bit dim? I don't know. But the letters were still readable when I squint my eyes a bit (maybe my eyesight is bad??)
Then you will see light either blinks on your left or right. Just tell the agent the light comes from left or right. That’s it. Pretty easy.
Then have your signature signed in the system and your photo taken. You can then set a date and time to take the road code test. You can have the road code test immediately if the test station is available.
Part 1 - Road Code Test
Pretty easy if you have learnt and practiced the sample tests in the AA website. 35 questions in 30 minutes. You’ll have more than enough time to complete the test. I took less than 10 minutes, and the girl beside me, amazingly, less than 5 minutes!
However easy the question is and confident you are, please do choose the answer carefully. You can still change your mind as long as you don’t click the Submit button. Once you hit Submit, you’ll know immediately if you are right or wrong. No chance for you to go back to re-select.
Once you have answered 32 questions correctly, you know you pass. But if you have 4 wrongs, you know how unlucky you are! But of course you can still continue the test for practice purpose.
After you passed your road code test, you can set the appointment for the full practical test. And you’ll be issued a temporary NZ driver license with one very silly condition – to always have a supervisor beside you whenever you drive until you have your full license.
But I broke this rule immediately after I got my temp license – drove to get some grocery and then back home all by myself! Hush…
Part 2 - Full License Practical Test
The testing officer (TO) will have a brief pre-testing check of the car with you. Very simple. He’ll ask you to press the brake to turn on the brake light, to signal left/right, to sound the horn. Then he’ll ask to point to him the hand brake, the windscreen and rear demisters.
Then he’ll explain the requirements of the test. Mine went like this:
TO: When I ask you to turn left or right, then you turn. Otherwise, go straight.
Me: OK.
TO: Any question?
Me: Yes. What about hazard? Do I need to mention when I see hazard?
TO: Hazard? What hazard? There’s no hazard.
Me: I read in the website that we need to mention hazard?
TO: I SAID NO HAZARD!
Me: So no need to mention anything? (me just wanted to make sure even though he was clearly irritated)
TO: em.
Indeed a very stern looking gentleman.
For the next 20 minutes I had no idea where he led me to. All I did was to follow his instructions: turn left, turn right, make a u-turn, move to the right/left lane, etc.
When finally back to AA, I wanted to park at one parking space, but clearly he had another better space.
"Go on, park right in there. What’s the matter with you? That space is our neighbour’s". That space was actually AA parking but I turned in to where he pointed. Like a timid child, I quietly waited for the next BIG moment.
“You pass. Just one mistake” I wanted to give him a BIG hug!
“At one point you didn’t look at the mirror when turn” Thank you sir, I will always look at the mirror when making a turn next time!
He then issued a temp NZ full license right there in the car.
Me: Merry Christmas to you.
TO: Sigh…still need to work during the Christmas break.
Me: Oh…I thought most companies closed for 2 weeks?
TO: Not AA…only off on Christmas and Boxing day.
Me: Do have a good rest on Christmas Day.
TO: Yea…good rest. Ha ha…thank you.
He made my day and in turn I could see him finally had a smile on his face.
So, for those who need to sit for the practical test, it’s no harm to re-confirm the hazard detection part. As for me, it’s indeed good that I didn’t have to do this. Although I have been driving all this while, I was still nervous knowing that I was being tested. As I said, I didn’t even know where the TO had taken me even though I know the testing area (not the test route).
Best wishes to all of you who need to take the driving test
