Tauranga driving instructors are endorsing the upcoming changes to the restricted licence test, saying it will lead to more confident and skilled young drivers.

From February 27, the new test routes will involve more challenging environments, requiring learners to prove their skills in heavier traffic and on multi-lane roads.

Young drivers will need at least 120 hours practical driving before sitting the test.

NZTA chief executive Geoff Dangerfield says the new restricted test requires a more complex driving environment, including minimum levels of traffic, multiple lanes and merge lanes within a 60-80km/h speed zone.  

“The new testing routes have been thoroughly investigated and carefully developed in order to ensure that a consistently high standard is applied across the country,” says Geoff.

AA motoring affairs manager Mike Noon says the changes are going to require learner drivers and their families to put in more time and effort to achieve a restricted licence, but he says it will help young drivers gain the skills they need to become safe drivers.

The new test has been designed to require 120 hours of supervised practise to pass. New Zealand learners are currently estimated to do no more than 50 hours of supervised practise before starting to drive solo and research shows that if drivers clock up the recommended 120 hours before sitting their restricted test, their risk of being in a crash is greatly reduced.

“Having better trained, more experienced young drivers, will ultimately benefit all of us by improving our road safety and reducing the number of people killed and injured on our roads,” says Mike.

“The riskiest time in a driver’s life is when they first start driving solo, yet the testing emphasis under the previous system was focussed on a driver gaining their full licence.”

Tauranga driving instructor Lynette Hines agrees the changes are necessary, the main reason being the importance of more practical time in a vehicle.

“They will need more professional driver training. There is a place for working through the skills with mum or dad, but working with professional drivers means more confidence, awareness and a higher skill level to know what kinds of things will be expected from the test.

“It makes me feel better about the young people on the road.”

Lynette says while the 120 hours is not something that is marked off or checked, the new test means instructors will instantly notice when a young driver hasn’t had enough training or practise.

The changes also see a reduction in the number of locations providing the restricted test, but road safety will benefit from having all drivers assessed against a consistent national standard.

Tauranga and Mount Maunganui are not losing the ability to test young drivers, but smaller towns in the Bay of Plenty are.

Overall test capacity will be maintained by increasing the testing capacity at the remaining 52 practical testing sites. Learner licence theory testing will continue to be available at all current testing sites.