Pass rates rise for new Wairarapa drivers

The New Zealand Transport Agency statistics show 54 per cent of the people in Wairarapa and Wellington sitting restricted licence tests in March passed.

The success rate for the restricted driving test in the district is the highest it has been in four years, statistics show.

The New Zealand Transport Agency statistics show 54 per cent of the people in Wairarapa and Wellington sitting restricted licence tests in March passed.

Pass rate numbers have steadily increased from a low of 39 per cent in 2012.

The pass rate rose to 43 per cent in March 2013, rising again to 53 per cent in March 2014.

On February 27, 2012, the restricted driving test was made harder and longer as part of an initiative by NZTA to make roads safer.

The age limit for getting a learner licence was also raised from 15 to 16.

Instructor Jackie Hill, of the Masterton Driving School, said the test had needed to be made harder because it had been "too easy".

"The pass rate has dropped compared to what it used to be since the test got tougher but it is a good thing," she said.

"I think the test needed to be made tougher because it was way too easy before and, at the end of the day, it is not just about licensing people but making them safe on our roads.

"In saying that, I do think the test is a little bit nit-picky, especially for the people in manual cars.

"If they stall due to nerves, that goes against them. People driving manuals are at a disadvantage, more so than those driving automatic vehicles."

Ms Hill said driving schools and instructors also had to improve their standards in accordance with the new test.

"I just remember being gobsmacked that one week I had two non-passers, which was unheard of. It was good, however, because we had to up our standard as well," she said.

According to the data, learner drivers across the country who sat their restricted test, passed at a rate of 58 per cent in March this year. This was a substantial increase from the pass rate of 38 per cent in March 2012.

AA Driving School general manager Nigel Clark said changes to the restricted licence test had had a positive outcome.

"Firstly the age was changed, it was 15 and now it is 16. This is good because young people definitely develop better skills as they get older.

"And the test being harder means more people are taking professional instruction because they won't pass unless they do. That means you have people being taught in a better way. We are teaching three times more people per week than we were doing in 2012," he said.

"More people are being exposed to professional tuition which, over time, should improve the pass rate and help people be safer drivers."

Mr Clark said the figures were in fact, unfair to younger people as the pass rates for people from 16 to 20 were substantially higher than their older counterparts.

The pass rate for 55-59-year-olds in March this year was 32 per cent while the pass rate for 18-year-olds was 57 per cent and was 60 per cent for 19-year-olds.