The Ministry of Social Development and Employment’s (MSD) Driver Licence Support programme has secured 21,063 enrolments in the past year – ahead of the Government’s 19,000 placement target.
Minister of Social Development and Employment, Louise Upston said the Government-funded driver training was well and truly exceeding expectations.
“Around 70% of jobs require a person to have a driver licence, reinforcing the importance of the Government’s investment in driver licence training,” Ms Upston says.
The Driver Licence Support programme began in 2023, with more than 34,000 licences issued since it was launched. Youth aged between 18 and 24 make up nearly 40% of the programme’s participants. The overall pass rate of the programme is 82%.
“We know getting a driver’s licence can change a life, as it has in the case of a young Auckland woman on Jobseeker Support. The case manager suggested she consider applying for a job in traffic management, but that relied on her having a driver licence.
“The woman started driving lessons with the support of the programme and soon after was able to sit and pass her restricted licence, then starting a job as a traffic controller with Fulton Hogan.
“The driver licence was the key to her getting the job and starting an independent life. In other examples, people have been able to get jobs with shift work because of having a driver licence or take a rurally-based job on a farm because they can now drive there.
“We know that a challenging employment environment has made things difficult for job seekers.
“We hear many successful stories of how a driver licence has been a turning point in contributing to a change in circumstances – getting a job, being able to care for and support family, and driving legally.
“Programmes like Driver Licence Support ultimately make for safer and stronger families and communities,” the Minister said.
