Greg Murphy backs new drive tests for young

Kiwi V8 racing legend Greg Murphy has thrown his weight behind the tougher new driver licensing tests that came into effect this week.

The more stringent test focuses on young drivers that are graduating from their Learners to their Restricted Licence.

Murphy welcomed the changes, which are designed to more thoroughly check young drivers, such as driving in multi-lane roads and more complex environments, as well as encourage around 120 hours of supervised driving before sitting their restricted.

Those aged between 15 and 24 make up 13 per cent of licensed drivers and motorcycle riders, but last year accounted for around 31 per cent of all fatal and injury accidents.

"We have too many young drivers on our roads who have had very little supervision or training, and as a result lack the key skills necessary to become safe drivers," Murphy said.

"The emphasis on supervision is great. I speak with lots of young drivers as part of the work I do in schools around New Zealand with groups like MTA, and find that most over-estimate their abilities ... Getting good supervision will go a long way to helping address these shortcomings."

AA general manager motoring affairs Mike Noon said the changes were well supported, and New Zealand was doing its youth "no favours" by allowing young people to drive on their own so quickly.

"Putting the focus on the restricted test is a much-needed change that the AA strongly supports," he said.