Bay drivers who have been sitting on their learner and restricted licences for years say it's too expensive to get a full licence.
At the end of last month more than 5000 motorists aged from 16 to over 60 in the Western Bay were driving on their learners or restricted. As of May 20, 2013, nationwide 506,123 people held learner and restricted licences compared to 391,785 in June 2003.
Associate Minister of Transport Michael Woodhouse said plans announced in January to set a five-year time limit on learner and restricted licences were well underway.
"However, due to the complexity of the changes, consultation and dealing with issues including the different classes of licences and different expiry dates a rule change was still some months away," he said.
Mr Woodhouse said the fees reflected the cost of administering the test and if you had to re-sit there was a charge.
"The best way to keep costs to a minimum is by encouraging people to do the recommended 120 hours' practice before sitting the test. This will provide them with more experience as a driver on the road and a greater chance of passing the test the first time."
Tauranga motorist Beni Hafoka has been on his restricted licence for 15 years and considers himself a better driver than most.
The 30-year-old said it was the cost and driving test that has put him off graduating to a full licence. "The test is expensive and realistically you are doing it to prove what you already know. I have been driving for 15 years ... I own my own company and I'm in sales and part of my job is driving all over New Zealand."
Failing, re-booking and re-sitting was just a case of revenue- collecting for the Government, he said.
The Bay of Plenty Times Facebook page echoed similar comments and Rachel Crump said she had her restricted for eight years and the "cost for full is heaps". Natasha Bates has been on her restricted licence for 11 years and had to renew it and Rebecca Goodall said "same here ... can't afford to get my full".
BOP Driving School owner Jeron van der Beek said there was a "degree of apathy" around people graduating through the licence process.
"I think they are a little afraid of the test with somebody sitting next to them with a clipboard."
However, people owe it to the other motoring community, family and loved ones to have that extra verification about their driving skills, he said.
"If they are competent drivers they really haven't got much to fear and let's be honest the longer you leave the gap the more bad driving habits you will get."
To get your licence
Learner licence - application fee $48.70 - test fee $47.70.
Restricted licence - application fee $48.70 - test fee $88.30
Full licence application fee $50 - test fee $61.70. If you fail you pay test fee to re-sit.
Licence pass/fail rates
Waikato/Bay of Plenty 239 people sat their restricted licence between July 6, 2013 and July 12. 57 per cent passed 43 per cent failed. Over the same week, 314 sat their full licence; 63 per cent passed 33 per cent failed.
- Source NZTA