Whanganui and Manawatu's young drivers are passing their licences more than their rest of the country. Photo/File
Whanganui and Manawatu's young drivers are passing their licences more than their rest of the country. Photo/File
The region's young drivers are passing their licence tests more often - and they're even better than their peers around the country.
New Zealand Transport Agency statistics show the rate of Whanganui/Manawatu 16- to 24-year-olds passing Class 1 (car) licence tests has increased at all three levels - learner, restricted and full - in the last five years.
More than 82 per cent of learner tests taken in 2016 were passed, up from 69 per cent in 2012.
Restricted passes rose from 57 per cent to 66 - the toughest of the three tests - and full licence passes rose from 64 to 81 per cent between 2012 and 2016.
These were all above the national averages of 76, 62 and 77 per cent respectively.
Ms Bolland also said there needed to be more uncertainty about the testing process and route.
"I had a lady and her driving instructor took her around the test route so many times, she passed but she couldn't even drive. It took me probably six months to teach her how to drive.
"I say [to students], 'Do you want to learn how to drive the test route or do you want to learn how to drive?'"
Roger Venn, Automobile Association general manager of driver training, agreed pass rates had increased in part due to a growing use of professional instructors, rather than relying on Mum or Dad.
"The way we used to learn, with parents, grandparents, siblings - there's a general realisation that we don't have the skill sets to get our young drivers not only just through the test but to [learn to] drive safely."
He said in parts of Europe and the US, drivers had to have a certain number of hours with a professional instructor to get a licence.
He also said pass rates were comparatively low in New Zealand compared to other OECD countries, and therefore increases weren't unexpected.
However, just because a driver has their licence doesn't mean they should stop educating themselves, he said.
"I would encourage all young drivers, and their parents, to concentrate on maybe taking some additional training, and the defensive driving course is a great course for that.
"People need to take a responsibility for their actions. It's the most dangerous thing you're going to do every day pretty much, and people are so blasé [about it]."
NZTA's road safety director, Harry Wilson, said it was difficult to draw any conclusions comparing different regions' pass rates.
"The best determinant of whether an applicant will pass or fail is their preparation. The drive.govt.nz website is a key tool to help people get ready for their driving test.
"Ultimately we want to ensure that everyone gaining a licence has the skills and knowledge to be a safe and competent driver."
