Exploring Rarotonga by scooter is one of the best ways to get around the beautiful island. But, you do need to get a scooter license in Rarotonga in order to rent and ride a scooter legally while here as a visitor.
Here is everything you need to know to get a scooter license in Rarotonga, including where to get it, what’s involved and some tips on what will be prepare you for a successful licensing and safe road-tripping.
Do You NEED a Scooter Licence in Rarotonga?
Visitors to the Cook Islands can drive a motor vehicle (car) for up to six months using their full overseas license.
However, there is an exception for scooters and motorbikes.
On an overseas license you will only be allowed to drive the class of motor vehicle you are licensed to drive in your home country.
In other words – you cannot drive a scooter in Rarotonga on an overseas car licence.
If your current license does not permit you to ride a motorbike or scooter in your home country, then you will need to obtain a Cook Islands Visitor Scooter License which will enable you to drive a motorbike or scooter.
- Note: If you have a current motorcycle class license on your overseas license you do not need to sit the test to acquire a Cook Islands License. You just need to visit the police station, pay NZ$20 and you will be issued your visitor license.
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Getting a Cook Islands Scooter License
To get a Scooter License in Rarotonga – your Cook Islands Visitors Bike License – it is a two-step process.
For the visitors driver’s license application you need to complete a theory test.
After you have passed the Theory Test you need to pass a Practical Scooter Driving Test.
WHERE To Get Your Scooter License in Rarotonga
Licensing for your Scooter License in Rarotonga is done at the Rarotonga Police Station on the Main Road in Avarua.
The Police Station in Rarotonga is located between Cook’s Corner and the BCI Bank.
The licensing office at the Rarotonga Police Station is open Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 3:00pm. On Saturday it is open from 9:00am to 12:00pm.
It is possible as a visitor to collect and complete your drivers license application for a Scooter License in Rarotonga during these hours. But there are specific times for the Rarotonga Scooter License theory and practical test times.
What TIME is it open for Scooter License Testing?
There are allocated times for theory and practical tests for the Cook Islands Scooter License at the Rarotonga Police Station:
- Theory Test – Monday to Thursday at 9:00am, 11:00am and 1:00pm; Friday 9:00am and 11:00am
- Practical Test – Monday to Thursday at 10:00am and 2:00pm; Friday 10:00am and 1:00pm
Do note that times are subject to change.
What’s Involved?
The Scooter License in Rarotonga is made up of two parts:
- Theory Test
- Practical Riding Exam
As above, if you have a current motorcycle class license on your overseas license you do not need to sit either the theory or practical components to get a license in Rarotonga. All you need to do is pay NZ $20 and you will be issued your Visitor License.
The Theory Test – Rarotonga Scooter License
The theory test is made up of 25 questions with a mixture of multi-choice and short answer questions.
- Note: You need to get 23/25 correct in order to pass the test for your Scooter License in Rarotonga.
If you have sat a vehicle license in New Zealand the test will look very familiar and you will be fine. It is essentially checking you know the road rules, what to do when driving in the dark/if an animal crosses, and who has right of way/needs to give way.
There is a small room to the right of the main entrance inside the police station where you will sit the theory test.
The hours of testing are from Monday to Thursday at 9:00am, 11:00am and 1:00pm and on Friday at 9:00am and 11:00am.
The Practical Test – Rarotonga Scooter License
Once you have passed the theory component you now need to sit the practical test in order to complete your license.
There is a short, concrete driveway that runs to the back of the police station. This is the area for the practical test.
- Note: You need your helmet and scooter to sit the practical component of your Scooter License in Rarotonga.
With your helmet and scooter head to join the likely line of visitors waiting to ride the practical component to the left of the main Rarotonga Police Station building.
- Confidence: The examiner will ask you if you are feeling confident riding a scooter. Make sure to say yes! They will give you short instructions on what you need to do.
- Bike Knowledge: The test checks whether you know what all the buttons are for – indicators, turning off and on the engine etc.
- Riding Skills: You need to be able to ride in a straight line, turn around, and stop at an ‘intersection’. Then you need to weave in and out of a line of road cones.
COST of Scooter License in Rarotonga
It costs $40 NZD to sit your Scooter License in Rarotonga.
- Theory Test: $10 NZD
- Practical Test: $10 NZD
- Card License = $20 NZD
- TOTAL: $40 NZD
Note this does not include the cost of scooter hire or fuel. Plus, if you fail, you can retake the test at another time and date for an additional NZ $10 fee.
Documentation for Scooter License
You need to take:
- Current Driving License
- Passport
Dress sensibly and respectfully in town. Plus of course make sure you have a helmet to sit your Scooter License in Rarotonga.
TIPS for Riding a Scooter in Rarotonga
The good news is that most rental companies on Rarotonga offer low-powered scooters without gears or a clutch. So in theory, riding a scooter in Rarotonga is technically fairly straightforward.
However, do take it seriously.
The rules regarding helmets and bikes in Rarotonga have only come into place in the last few years. This is due to the high numbers of tourist accidents while riding motorbikes or scooters on the roads.
Road Rules for Driving a Scooter in Rarotonga
Rarotonga is not recommended as the place to learn to ride a motorbike. While the speed limit may seem low at 50km per hour, don’t forget that the island is not a resort.
Local residents are going about their day-to-day life and there is actually a rush hour in the morning getting to work and then again in the afternoon with more motorbikes and cars on the road.
There are road rules for riding a scooter in Rarotonga:
- Drive on the left side of the road
- Wear a helmet
- The maximum speed limit in Avarua and Muri is 30 kmph
- The maximum speed limit outside of populated areas is 50 kmph
- At roundabouts, give way to vehicles approaching from the right
- Give way (yield) to oncoming traffic
- Only two people are permitted on a motorcycle or scooter, seated astride. Pillion passengers must sit behind the driver.
That, plus there are all kinds of island hazards to look out for while riding a scooter in Rarotonga. Like chickens and dogs crossing the roads!
Please do adhere to the laws and take care when hiring a scooter in Rarotonga.
Conditions of the Cook Islands Scooter License
The Visitor Scooter License in Rarotonga are valid for 30 days from the date of issue. Plus the Rarotonga Scooter License only allows you to drive a scooter with an engine capacity not exceeding 125cc.
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Getting to the Rarotonga Police Station
As a visitor there are two options for getting to the Police Station to sit your license:
- Take a bus to town, sit the theory test, and then hire a scooter from one of the rental options within walking distance in town
- Hire a scooter with a temporary license in order to drive yourself to the police station
Option 1 – Bus into Avarua to the Police Station
This is an easy and stress-free option. You can get off the bus in town and sit your theory test at the police station.
Once you have passed that, there is a small bike rental hut right next door to the police station.
Or there is a larger Polynesian Rental office a few hundred metres back down the road towards the market. It is just a short walk to hire a scooter and return for the practical component of the license.
Option 2 – Hire a Scooter with a Temporary License
Some rental companies can issue you with a Temporary Motorcycle License on arrival in Rarotonga.
Take this with you and ride directly to the Police Station to sit your full license.
Accommodation in Rarotonga
There is a great range of accommodation options in Rarotonga with resorts, hotels and motels, holiday homes and self-catering AirBnB’s.
Resorts in Rarotonga
- The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium, Aro’a
- The Edgewater Resort & Spa, Arorangi
- Club Raro, Tupapa
- Nautilus Resort, Muri
- Pacific Resort Rarotonga, Muri
Hotels & Motels
- Magic Reef Bungalows, Arorangi
- Coral Sands Apartment, Arorangi
- Black Pearl at Puaikura, Aro’a
- Moana Sands Beachfront Hotel, Titikaveka
- Muri Garden Lodge, Muri
Holiday Homes & AirBnB
- Cooks Oasis Holiday Villas, Arorangi
- Lagoon Breeze Villas, Aro’a
- Muri Lagoon Beachfront Villa, Muri
- Ariki Bungalows, Muri
There are loads of amazing options when choosing accommodation in Rarotonga.
Read More About Rarotonga
That’s it for our guide to getting your Scooter License in Rarotonga. But we do have plenty of other guides to local activities, highlights and some of our favourite things to do in the Cook Islands.
- A Morning At Punanga Nui Markets On Saturday.
- The Best Rarotonga Beaches.
- How to Take the Bus In Rarotonga.
- A Reef Walk With Ariimoana Reef Tours.
- A Trip On Rarotonga Reef Sub.
- 20 AWESOME Things To Do In Rarotonga With Kids.
- Moving To Rarotonga From New Zealand.
Travel Planning for Cook Islands & Beyond
These are the companies we use while traveling as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads including those who have already left home. Make sure you have travel insurance before traveling to the Cook Islands!
Gavin is our people-meeter wherever we go. For all the stories we share about the kindness of strangers in Uzbekistan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and more, it is Gavin that extends a handshake and meets a new friend without even sharing the same language.