Law increases age of eligibility for first driver’s licence

New Zealand law increases age of eligibility for first driver’s licence

The law was prompted by a rash of accidents by high-risk drivers, Canterbury Driver Training Ltd., works to improve the skills of truck drivers of all levels

Soon drivers in New Zealand will need to be a little older to get behind the wheel. This year the minimum age to obtain a drivers licence will increase to 16 years old in an effort to decrease the number of accidents caused by high-risk drivers.

The move to increase the driving age came after a tide of accidents involving high-risk drivers, most of which were under the age of 30. In fact, according to a report that was released in January 643 people were killed in crashes caused by high-risk drivers between 2005 and 2009. In that high-risk group the biggest factor was age. Drivers 30 years old and younger were most often in that high-risk group. Drivers in that age group caused more than 52 percent of fatal crashes caused by high-risk drivers.

Although it is yet to be seen what effect the raising of the driving age will have on the number and severity of accidents it will certainly have an effect on those school leavers who would like to pursue a career in commercial driving as they will have a 6 month delay in obtaining the appropriate licences. Canterbury Driver Training Ltd. can provide the right skills for a good start to the commercial driving experience.

Canterbury Driver Training Ltd provides NZTA approved courses which are unit standard based and can be credited towards a National Certificate in Commercial Road Transport. They provide a wide range of courses including driver training for classes 2,3,4 and 5 as well as endorsements and forklift training. “The effect of the driving age going up means that it delays when you are able to start your truck licences for another 6 six months. This reinforces the advantages of doing an approved truck licensing course for anyone wishing to do commercial driving as a career,” said Scott Johnson of Canterbury Driver Training Ltd.

Another advantage of doing an NZTA approved course is that there is no requirement to hold your learners licence for 6 months (or 3 months if you are over 25), you can progress to the full licence class straight away. By cutting down the wait time between drivers licence classes it enables you to progress through the graduated licence system quicker.

Anyone interested in pursuing a career in commercial driving or employers who wish to enhance the skills of their commercial drivers should consider contacting Canterbury Driver Training Ltd. They are able to tailor a drivers licence training programme specifically for your unique needs.

About Canterbury Driver Training Ltd. Canterbury Driver Training Ltd is a family-owned and operated company that specializes in customized quality driver training for individuals and groups catering for all your licensing and training needs.

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