Dejae gearing up for the big day

For 16-year-old Dejae Adlam, getting a licence means more freedom.

The Rotorua Boys' High School student has been studying the road code and taking the online tests on the AA website in preparation for taking the first step to getting his licence - sitting for his learner licence.

Dejae is hoping to sit the theory test in the next week or two, so he can get out on the road and practise driving. He said much of what he'd learned through the road code and online tests was straightforward and he didn't think he would have too much of a problem.

"Most of it is pretty simple."

He's the first of his group of friends to try the learner licence theory test.

As well as studying the road code, Dejae had also been asking his parents questions while in the car with them. Dejae said while he hadn't rushed out to get his learner's licence the day he turned 16, the biggest benefit to eventually having a licence was that he'd be able to go away for weekends. That, and his parents have promised him and older brother Shalem that when they get their restricted licences they'd also get a car.

Mum Lisa said there were pros and cons to the boys getting their licences - and admitted it was a bit daunting to think the boys would soon be driving on their own.