I got my New Zealand Driving License!

 

I’ve been driving in Malaysia since I was 18 years old. My Abah was my first mentor and he sponsored my driving license cost as well. Thanks Abah. Hope this will be calculated as his good deed. I still remember my Opah used to say that she prefers Abah’s driving compare to her other children! Erk… sorry uncle & aunties. I feel blessed that I had a great driving teacher. The proof is, I’ve never got summon except for DBKL parking (well you know how hard it is) or experienced bad accident. (touchwood). I rule out people stigma that women drivers are bad.

When me n family migrated to New Zealand, New Zealand allows us to use foreign driving license for first 12 months. After that we need to convert (if you have Malaysia driving license) to New Zealand driving license. Honestly, I did not do it in the first 12 months. I felt scared hearing story on how many people had failed their driving test. I started to convert the license on my 2^nd year in New Zealand.

3 reasons make me changed:

1.  I don’t want to feel guilty driving using Malaysia driving license
2. Easy to proof my identity when required
3. Peace of mind about renewing Malaysia driving license

 

To convert Malaysia driving license to New Zealand dri

I only need to pass 2 tests to convert the license:

1. Theory test
2. On road test

It’s not a requirement to take any driving lesson (that’s why they call it convert) but If you think you need this, you may enroll driving lesson from AA Insurance. They are an authorised Driving School under  NZ Transport Agency  and have over 50 years experienced providing driving lesson from only $65 - $75 per person.

 

Theory test

Like theory test in Malaysia, where the test is computerised. All I need to do is walked into AA Insurance, and I was given convert license form that I need to filled up. Some of documents needed like Malaysia driving license, passport, driving license picture and eye test. The eye test is done at AA Insurance counter. Then, I just booked my theory test session. Easy!

To prepare myself with the theory test, I bought official NZ road code for $25.50 and $20 Super saver practise test (20 simulation test) at AA Insurance. There are 35 questions and you must get 32 out of 35 to pass or (33 out of 35 for heavy vehicle).

Result? Of Coz la full mark.

A week after I’ve passed the theory test, NZTA sent the driving license (under condition) to my address. The condition that I need to abide is to have a person with at least 2 year full driving license next to me while I’m driving. (which I don’t have) Therefore make me having the urge to get full license quickly.

 

On Road Test

This is the scary part for me since I hear a lot of bad story. Some people giving tips that there’s particular test center that easier to pass than the other.Arrr… I don’t know. 

One day, I meet up with 1 of my friend ( Thanks N, you know who you are) who  have done the on road test and she said she went to the test center that near to my place. She also showed me a youtube video on one of the driver who pass 100%. That’s it! I feel its all making sense, because that’s is the area that I normally drive and familiar .Furthermore its nearby my house. Booked on road test! You can watch the video in link below:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvdNiQW7bc4

Car

I almost missed this part. I thought the NZTA test center will provide a car for testing (well like Malaysia). Nope! I have to bring my own vehicle (my husband’s car) to the test center. I also need to make sure that the car is in good condition and WOF and Rego ( macam road tax) updated and valid.

I was feeling nervous during the test of coz. Dulu I  drove Perodua Kancil masa test, this time I need to drive people mover car. Which is big and high. Alhamdulillah, I’ve passed the test with only 1 mistake. I was waiting too long at roundabout and some impatient driver honk me. Aiyayai.

 

I guess this is my story how I got my New Zealand driving license January 2020. I hope I will not make you scare like I felt before. With good preparation and practice driving you can pass the test too. Furthermore, its less car here. If you survive KL, Auckland is nada.

 

Good Luck!

 

Nga Mihi,

Mira