Driver's licence hard and costly for teens

Tukituki Labour spokeswoman Anna Lorck with students Emily Pattullo (left), Kyle Brittin, Chris Hicks, Felix Ellis Jones and Brittney Lorck - all who say cost is a barrier to getting a driver's licence.

For young people trying to get their driver's licence it appears the cost is standing between them and a little independence.

School student Emily Pattullo is 16 years old and still on her learner's licence. She has attempted the test to get her restricted licence twice.

Twice she has failed.

"It has cost me $600 so far and I haven't passed," she said.

Fellow student Chris Hicks is also still on his L-Plates, having also failed the restricted test two times.

He said he was failed instantly on both occasions - for what he believes were small things.

Getting his licence is still costing him. He is close to spending $700-plus on the process with nothing really to show for it.

"It is frustrating and definitely a cost," he said.

"Not everyone has a heap of money to put into it," he said.

On the other side, Brittney Lorck has her restricted licence - she passed the first time. The whole process still set her back $500.

Even when drivers have their restricted licence, they have to sit a test to get their full licence at the end of an 18-month period, or for a 12-month period, if they complete a defensive driving course - at a cost to them.

Chris said it was good to have the defensive driving course in place.

"If the defensive driving course was government-funded that would be a big help and it would get a lot more young people out there to do it," he said.

Tukituki Labour spokeswoman Anna Lorck said it was far too expensive for young people to get their licence.

"If it is seriously costing them between $500 and $800 how are they meant to get that money?" she asked.

"How many are entering the criminal justice system for the first time through a traffic offence?"

Ms Lorck said perhaps one way to address the situation was to allow restricted drivers who have had 12 or 18 months on the road who have not got a single demerit point in that time to go on to their full licence without another test.

"Why are we making people go back and sit a test when they have already been on the road driving?" she asked.

She said while she has no interest in returning to the old system, the current system needs to work better.

"It is frustrating for them so there has got to be somewhere in between," she said.