Scooter safety and the Cook Islands

Hello,

Spouse and I are arriving in Rarotonga on Saturday, May 24 in the late evening, and continuing to Aitutaki Monday the 26th at 15:30. After a week, we'll continue to Atiu, then back to Raro. We have a week-long scooter rental that comes with our stay at Ranginui's, and may rent on Atiu.

The questions we have are about scooter licensing and safety. We are going to take a motorcycle course and get our U.S. license.

(1) Will it be possible to get a Cook Islands driver's license on Monday before our 15:30 flight to Aitutaki? If not, can we get the license on Aitutaki?

(2) If we stick to riding our scooter during the day on Aitutaki and possibly Atiu (no scooter on Raro), can we stay within reasonable parameters of safety? I know this is a broad question, but to put it in context, I would never ride a motorcycle in the U.S. because I value my life. A scooter at <30mph with a proper helmet and non-crazy drivers seems sufficiently safe to me, though if the pot holes and other drivers are terrible (per H2ooh's posts a few years ago re Raro), maybe it isn't?

(3) Will we need to bring our own helmets, or are they available for rental on Aitutaki and Atiu?

HI tilos, Yes you can get your driver's license on Aitutaki. In fact you will save money doing so as it's only $2.50NZ as opposed to $20NZ on Rarotonga. The license issued on Aitutaki is good on all islands. They are issued at the police station which is up the hill (East) behind the post office at he main wharf in Arutanga. You will need to have your U.S. license with you. They will not ask you to take a driver's test and at the most may ask you which side of the road should you drive on (it's left here).

What you will be riding will be a motor scooter rather than a larger motorcycle. They only have at most a 120cc engine and are automatics. The rentals on Aitutaki do not offer helmets so if you feel you need one you will have to bring your own. You won't see many people on Aitutaki or Atiu wearing them.

The speed limit on most roads on Aitutaki is 40kph (24mph). It's 60kph on the airport road and part of the road on the eastern side where it is unpopulated.

The major concern riding on Aitutaki is gravel in spots on the paved roads and the unpaved roads. Stay off the front break and watch yourself on turns and you should be fine. There is considerably less road traffic on Aitutaki than on Rarotonga and even less on Atiu.

Most accidents that tourists have is falling over rather than being hit by someone else and the worst injuries they get is road rash. That being said, drive defensively at all times. People will pull out of driveways and side roads without looking. Many will not indicate that they are going to turn and many vehicles do not have working brake lights. Never assume you have the right-away even if you know you do. And remember to stay left especially after a turn. People tend to have accidents when they drive tentatively rather than with confidence. With the course you are taking you should be fine and have a safe trip.

Thank you for your detailed answer, Araura! I will get the license in Aitutaki.The safety tips are very helpful as well, especially about driving with the assumption that you never have the right of way..

We will bring helmets of some sort, though given the low speeds, we may just bring lighter cycling helmets.

When planning to obtain a driver's licence on Aitutaki, aim to arrive at the police office a little after 8am and before 10am. The 3 officers handle all enquiries on the island, so the office may be unattended during their enquiries. Phone ahead to check if someone will be there; if you can.