A coalition of transport groups is calling for increased access to driver education and training to help address the growing number of New Zealanders without a full driver’s license.
The group, consisting of Transporting New Zealand, Driving Change Network, Bus and Coach Association, MITO, Heavy Haulage Association, National Road Carriers, and Groundspread NZ wrote to Ministers last week requesting more support for the growing pool of unlicensed Kiwis, which totals over one million.
The group wrote that the recent changes to the Graduated Driver Licensing System would reduce the financial burden on learners, but more needed to be done.
“We remain concerned that this alone won’t be enough to help young people attain licenses at the scale required for them to live full, independent lives and potentially to be able work in commercial transport,” the letter states.
Transporting New Zealand’s Chief Executive, Dom Kalasih says at least 70% of job listings require a driver’s licence.
“For the road freight sector, that figure will obviously be a lot higher. Ministry of Transport estimates the freight task will grow more than 20% over the next 20 years – an additional 60 million tonnes of freight moved per year. With that growth we need a sustainable supply of qualified drivers. A full Class 1 licence is the first step in that pipeline,” said Mr Kalasih.
The letter said that stable investment across the transport, education and social development portfolios to improve access to driver training and testing will save the Government and taxpayers money by reducing the amount of young people entering the justice system and improving their employability.
The seven organisations said driver education and testing should be integrated into secondary schools and supported by Government funding.
“Driver education in schools should be a normal part of the transition from school into work,” said Mr Kalasih.
“Without it, too many young people who can’t access support at home or pay for private lessons are left behind.”
The group is also calling for boosted funding for low-income learners to access free programmes, and for the growth of community-based training and testing services, particularly in rural and high-deprivation areas.
“Investing in driver licensing is a cost-effective way of getting people employed, keeping them out of trouble with the law, and supporting self-sufficiency. We hope that all political parties will commit to improving access to driver education and testing.”
The group is awaiting a response from the Ministers for Education, Transport, Vocational Education, and Social Development.
The group has put forward three steps to improve licence uptake and workforce participation:
- Increase targeted financial support for low-income applicants by doubling annual government funding from $20 million to $40 million, with training and testing services delivered through community providers and MSD.
- Integrate driver training into all New Zealand secondary schools by 2030, offering theory preparation, practical lessons, and on-site testing, supported by stable central and local government funding and promoted as a pathway to employment and independence.
- Increase funding for mobile and community-based licensing services, particularly in rural and high-deprivation areas, from $4.05 million per year to $20 million per year.
