Newbie Questions: Aussie coming to blighty

Fresh meat to the slaughter

I've read the FAQs but can't see this answered.

I'm an Aussie moving over to UK next year. Could someone direct me to
the url for your Dept. Of Roads, or Motor Vehicles or whatever the
appropriate licencing authority is please. Unless of course someone
knows the rules for Aussie licence holders who wish to ride
motorbicycles legally in your fair (albeit rainy) land.

Dunno if you have any standard info you expect newbs to proffer, but
fwiw I've been riding bikes since I was 7 (grew up on a farm),which
would unfortunately be about 30 years ago, and currently have 2 - a 96
Bandit 1200S and an 89 KR1-250 smoker. Have had a few different bikes
over the years from cruisers to sports bikes (R1, TRX etc). Oh and a
succession of Pommy cars to ensure that I HAD to ride the bikes
regularly

JL
(suppose I'd better change my .sig, I doubt you guys really care that
our PM is a C**t)

 

In

http://www.dvla.gov.uk/

 

John Littler scribbled on the back of a napkin:

http://www.dvla.gov.uk/

Should actually be in the FAQ. Chances are that you'll have to exchange
your license, if things go really bad you may have to resit the test...

 

That was quick ! Thanks.

JL

 

Don't worry, we think ours is a **** too.

 

Erm... you must be mad, IMHO!

Which part do you hail from?

They all do that, Sir... Prime Ministers that is.

 

Well, I'm not going there for the weather, that's for sure ! Only
planning to stay a year or three at this stage, the idea is to get a
chance to ride Europe in my holidays.

Sydney, and it does indeed hail here quite well (Although I grew up
in outback Queensland near the NT/SA/NSW border)

....snippitydoodah

Sad to say it would seem you're right, I guess Sir Humphrey was a good
trainer or something.

JL

 

Be happy to swap you !

JL
(errk, strike that, then when I moved over I'd still have to put up with
the prat)

 

In

When you get stopped you usually are asked to present your licence and
insurance cert. to the local police station within a week. Of course they
may not check even then, but I wouldn't be surprised if you got a talking
to, especially with your accent being the way it is.

 

Yep, according to the above, I get 12 months, then I either swap it or
I'm illegal.Then when I swap it they cancel my Aussie licence.

Of course I'd be curious as to how the average copper who pulls you over
on a back road in the middle of Wales is going to know that 18 months
have elapsed since you entered the country and you're now no longer
allowed to be riding on your Aussie licence.

JL

 

Hmm, well they're not going to stamp the licence on the way into the
country (well they've never done so before), and the insurance cert is
renewed yearly isn't it ? Hence I can't see how they'd know... but
anyways, it's always better to be legal if you can be, so I'll meekly
toddle off when the appropriate year has expired.

Oh bloody ! I was hoping I'd be getting off on minor infringements for
being a foreigner, would it help if pretended to be a Kiwi* ? Do you
really hate us for Neighbours and Rolf that much ?

JL
(*I have my pride, I refuse to pretend to be American !)
96 Bandit 12, 89 KR1

 

In

#Tie me kangaroo down, Sport

At least the Kiwis use sheep, oversized-marsupial bondage is on another
plain of sickness altogether.

 

This works for both 'your' PM's really doesn't it.

 

Why?

 

No, we hate you because you all sit around drinking VB in the sun,
whilst we're here being rained on.

 

<cheesy crap tv show>

As a child growing up in a drought stricken land <insert violins here> I
*dreamed* of living somewhere there was unending rain...

<closeup shot pulls away as music builds and fades to black>

</cheesy crap tv show>

JL
(well actually 'cos that way I can holiday in Europe more cheaply and
easily, looking forward to riding the alps, oh and I can get a visa
easily 'cos my grandfather is a pom)

 

<insert smug look>

JL
Oh, hang on a minute...

 

<G> How do you know I wasn't thinking 'in French' mode. You're very
right though. The English PM is a **** too. Oh, and the French
president is a **** (who's also a crook, too).

 

Yeah, the fee is about £120 ($300AUD) and I get the 4 year visa,
renewable and heaps easier to get.

Ob Moto:

So are there good bike roads near London, or do you have to trudge 4
hours up a freeway to find good roads, is there a website/guide to the
best places to ride ? How restricted is the riding season ?

JL
(I'm not an aspirin, but hour upon hour in driving rain gets tedious
fairly quickly)

 

Yes.

or do you have to trudge 4

No, though you can for variety.

What's your tolerance to cold?