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A driver’s licence is essential for work, learning and training.

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Yet only five per cent of young people leave school with a Full New Zealand driver’s licence.

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And an estimated 70,000 to 90,000 New Zealanders struggle to access the licensing system, or are stalling part way through.

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Let’s create an equitable and accessible driver licensing system in Aotearoa.

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Everyone needs a chance to progress to their full driver licence.

 The Driving Change Network is committed to ensuring New Zealand’s driver licensing system helps, rather than hinders the journey to work, education and training.

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Current situation

Driver education and training is necessary to pass a practical driving test. But right now not everyone has access to the education they need to pass the test.

“Fixing” the issues with driver licensing isn’t about making the practical test easier, or making it cheaper. It's about making it more accessible and equitable.

Instead of focusing on the end result – the test itself – we need to focus on the education and skills training that is required to pass the test.


Addressing inequalities

Right now the journey to gaining a Full driver’s licence isn’t equal.

The current system prevents many people, including those in rural New Zealand, from gaining a full licence because of barriers to learning to drive and taking the test.

An estimated 70,000 to 90,000 New Zealanders struggle to access the licensing system, or are stalling part way through. This impacts their access to employment, training, community activities and health services for them and their families.

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Removing barriers

We need to address barriers that people come up against before they even get in the driver’s seat.

  • Like not having access to a car

  • Not having a licensed adult driver to learn from

  • Language or literacy difficulties

  • The cost of driving lessons and fees.


How can we create a more equitable and accessible driver licensing system for Aotearoa?

The Driving Change Network wants to work with Government to establish a Graduate Driver Licence System (GDLS) which includes a focus on driver education training and licensing. This is about ensuring all New Zealanders have equitable access to the education and training required to pass the test.

We need a system that supports people in a holistic way, is culturally appropriate for our communities and accessible for people of all ages.

Some solutions include:

  • Officially recognise a drivers licence as a public good

  • Appoint one government department or minister to hold responsibility for driver education, training and licensing.

  • Incorporate and fund driver education and training into the secondary school local curriculum

  • Fund government-led, community run providers of driver education and training

  • Expand the student loan and Trades Training and Apprenticeship scheme to include Class 1 driver trainings costs

  • Delivering driver education and training in culturally appropriate settings

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