Free refresher course on road rules for senior drivers are being held in Gisborne, Wairoa and Ruatōria next week.
Free refresher course on road rules for senior drivers are being held in Gisborne, Wairoa and Ruatōria next week.
Gisborne drivers age over 60 will have the rare opportunity to brush up on road rules in a free refresher course coming to Tairāwhiti on Thursday.
Age Concern is hosting a Staying Safe refresher class which will cover road rules such as give way rules, navigating roundabouts, pedestrian crossingsand sharing the road with cyclists.
The refresher class will also address the issue of renewing licences for drivers over 74½ years old, which can be a stressful process.
“There has been a situation around the country where older drivers have been caused stress in trying to renew their licence to drive,” says Age Concern Staying Safe national co-ordinator Hariata Hema.
“This is often due to the difficulty getting a doctor’s appointment on time, or if the doctor requires an on-road driving test, the long wait times,” she says.
“If your licence expires it is not only illegal to drive, but you have no effective insurance cover.”
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi now advises drivers over 74½ years to start the renewal process six months before expiry to address the delays. This is a significant increase on the eight-week period previously advised.
The rules state that once a driver is 75 they must have a medical certificate saying they are fit to drive that is less than 60 days old to renew their licence.
