Reduce cost of licence, say drivers

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The cost of driving licences needs to drop before the Government tries to set time limits on each stage, say many Herald readers.

Some have agreed with Transport Minister Steven Joyce's plan, revealed in the Weekend Herald, to force more than 300,000 drivers sitting on restricted licences to move faster on to full licences as a road safety measure.

But many more objected to the cost of $338 or more to pass all three stages and accused politicians and officials of revenue-gathering.

It costs $93.90 to get a learner licence, $108.10 for a restricted licence and $136.20 for a full licence, assuming the driver passes each test the first time. Re-sit fees range from $45.70 for learners to $86.60 for a full licence.

Mr Joyce said last week the Government was looking at introducing a maximum period for each stage to make sure drivers had the necessary skills and experience.

The idea was part of a wider crackdown on high-risk and young at-fault drivers, who were responsible for 53 per cent of road deaths.

Student Jeremy O'Rourke said one of the biggest obstacles to getting a full licence was the cost.

"I am a student and the fee for a full licence is much better spent on other things, like food or rent, especially with a pittance of a student allowance."

Another student, Kurt Johnston, 22, said he had been on his learner's licence since he was 16 and had bought his first car just six months ago.

"It's too expensive to move on to your restricted or even full. My family could not afford to help me with driver lessons, or give me $100-plus to sit my restricted.

"I currently feel real confident about my ability to sit and pass my test. But it comes back down to having that extra money lying around to go for it."

He said his partner, who was working, could not afford to sit her full licence either.

"If the Government lowers the cost, that would get so many more people moving forward."

Amanda wrote: "I am a solo mother and have been on my restricted for three years. Even though I am able to upgrade to my full licence I am unable to afford the fee of $136.20 to go and sit the test.

"I am sure many other people would be in the same situation, so maybe the Government should think about lowering the fee instead of penalising drivers that are on low licences."

Don said his two daughters had not bothered to move up from their learners and restricted licences because of the cost.

"I'm sure many of the 300,000 mentioned in your article feel exactly the same way - especially poor people who, frankly, have greater financial priorities than spending $240-plus on the licensing process."

Mr Joyce said the graduated licence system was important because it took people through the stages needed to become fully-fledged drivers.

"Other drivers are entitled to know that the people they are sharing the road with are properly qualified to be there."

He said that while there were costs associated with the system, these were set on a pure cost-recovery basis.

Les Mason, president of the Bikers' Rights Organisation, said the Government's figure of 18,127 motorcyclists who had held a learner's licence for 15 years or more was misleading.

Mr Mason said many car drivers decided to try out motorcycling but changed their minds. Since there was no way to cancel their learner's licence, they continued to show up in the statistics even when not riding.

CASH NEEDED
* Learner: $93.90
* Restricted: $108.10
* Full: $136.20
* Total: $338.20