When Karl* crashed on the Rimutaka ranges, he had 3 passengers in the car with him and no supervisor, in breach of his learner licence conditions. Karl had previously converted his overseas (Myanmar) licence to a New Zealand licence, and was issued with a learner licence. At the time of the accident, he had 3 passengers in the care with him. The police arrived at the scene and Karl was issued with a careless driving warning. Karl’s insurance claim was declined on the basis of the breach of licence exclusion. When Karl complained, the onus was on him to prove that the absence of a supervisor did not cause or contribute to the accident. The accident occurred when Karl was driving 60 - 70 kph around a 30 kph advisory corner, the first time he had driven over the Rimutaka range. A supervisor might have been able to advise Karl about the need to take extreme care and slow down on this hazardous stretch of road.
Complaint not upheld.
*Names have been changed.