AA welcomes end of mandatory age based test

19 December 2005

AA welcomes end of mandatory age based on-road test

The AA welcomes the Government’s decision to end the mandatory age based on-road test for drivers over the age of 80 from the end of next year.

Removal of the mandatory age based on-road test was one of the key recommendations of the industry stakeholder consultative group, of which the AA was a member, which recently reviewed the older driver licensing policy.

“Being able to drive is a very important issue for older New Zealanders. In many cases it equates to independence,” says the AA’s spokesperson Simon Lambourne.

“Today’s announcement is great news for older motorists, who often experience a considerable amount of anxiety and trauma when faced with having to do the on-road test.

“Being medically fit to drive is a sensible basis for an older driver licensing policy.”

“Older drivers self-monitor – they tend to drive fewer kilometres than other motorists, and they also drive more cautiously and slower than others,” says Mr Lambourne.

The AA is delighted the Government will also increase funding for the “Safe With Age”older driver education course and subsidise private driving lessons for those who have undertaken the course.

“These are excellent initiatives to help older drivers feel confident about their driving ability and a great way to promote road safety.”

The AA reminds older drivers that the mandatory age based on-road test does not cease until the end of 2006, and the on-road test still needs to be undertaken in the interim.

ENDS

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