Carrying loads on a car, motorbike or trailer
Loading a car Roof racks If you can’t fit a load in your car, the safest ways are either to have a roof rack with a custom mounted box, or to use a trailer. When not carrying a load on…
Motorbike Resources
Important maintenance checks for your motorbike
Whether you are learning to ride a motorbike and this is your first one, or you’ve been riding a while and want to keep your bike in tip-top shape, these tips will help minimise your breakdowns and improve your riding…
Helmet crash testing – choosing the safest helmet
Helmets that are sold in New Zealand conform to one of a number of standards: UN/ECE Regulation No. 22: Protective helmets and their visors for drivers and passengers of motorcycles and mopeds (Europe) Australian Standard AS 1698: Protective helmets for…
How to countersteer on a motorbike
Even though your handlebars move your front wheel left-right and can technically steer your bike left or right, once you are moving above around 20kph you won’t use this method to turn. The gyroscopic effect (precession) of your wheels plus…
Road Code enhanced: Complete guide to motorbike lane position
Choosing the correct lane position means you picking the best compromise between leaving a safety buffer and picking the part of the road with the most grip. There will be a difference in your lane position between wet and dry…
Joining the Institute of Advanced Motorists NZ: tips for passing your test
The Institute of Advanced Motorists is a UK-based organisation, founded in 1956, which developed an advanced driving framework from the police driving manual. It is also in operation in other countries such as Australia and New Zealand. While it has…
Driving and riding in strong winds
Whether you drive a car, truck or bus, or ride a motorbike, heavy winds can cause a lot of extra danger. This article explains the hazards you could experience during and immediately after heavy winds, and their effects on other…
Common injuries sustained in motorbike crashes
Motorcyclists are represented disproportionately in accident statistics because they are not protected by a safety cocoon like a car driver is. Motorbike riders should be wearing the best safety gear possible (read our guide), and the best helmet possible (read our…
Braking on a motorbike
The majority of the braking power is via your front wheel – around 75-90%, depending on the road surface, your position when riding, how your bike is set up, and whether you are carrying a load such as a pillion…
Is it dangerous and distracting to listen to music in the car?
The car is where many people listen to the majority of their music, and our cars are becoming ever more connected. Some cars, like later model Holdens with MyLink, will interface directly with Pandora and Stitcher music apps so you…
How distracting is talking on a mobile phone when driving?
It’s well known that we’re not supposed to drive while using a hand-held mobile phone to talk or send an SMS, but you can drive while talking on a hands free kit. But what about driving using a hands-free phone…
Guide to driving in hot weather
The Road Code contains nothing about driving in hot weather, only a small section on driving in bad conditions (fog, heavy rain, etc). However, hot weather can be as treacherous. This article explains all the risks of driving in hot…
Overhauling the driver licensing system
It was announced by the Transport Minister, Craig Foss, that the driver licensing system will be overhauled to try to make it simpler (read: less costly to run). This is partly because the current price of obtaining a driving licence…
Effects of dehydration on driving
Now we’re starting to get into the warm weather you are more likely to be travelling places either on holiday or for day trips, and you will be losing water from your body more rapidly. If you don’t replace your…
Career opportunities in driving
If you love the idea of driving for a living, or having an occupation that involves a lot of driving, this article explains what career choices you can make. Car Delivering goods Courier – deliver parcels and goods usually in…
Commentary drives: what are they and how can it improve your driving?
If you are just learning to drive you might be feeling inundated with everything you have to take in – road signs, other vehicles, lane markings and more. Once you’ve been driving a while, trying a commentary drive can take…
10 ways to improve your fuel economy
If you need to save some money, looking at how and what you drive can help. Most of us don’t drive in the most fuel economical way, but we look to try to buy a more fuel economical car to…
Driving after taking medicine
At some point in your life you will take some medication. It might be for a headache or to alleviate the symptoms of a cold or virus, or it might be for something like high blood pressure. Certain types of…
Why you should get your driving licence before you do your OE
Many people do an OE, or overseas experience either after leaving school or leaving university. The majority go to the UK or Australia. To make yourself more employable before you get there, having your driver’s licence all sorted out is…
New driver licence format changes
If you have a car (class 1) or motorbike (class 6) licence there are new time limits being introduced from 1 December 2014 and a newly designed licence. The class 1 and class 6 learner and restricted licences will be…
Vehicle and workplace training
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