Celebrating 100 licence passes on iHow course

Suzanne Carpenter of iHow Trust. WGP 20Jun18 - SUZANNE Carpenter of iHow Trust celebrated 100 licence passes with a cake.

Have you struggled to get your learners' drivers licence?

There is an easier way. The iHow trust provides people with the training and education needed to sit and pass their learner's licence.

This week, iHow celebrated helping its 100th client passing the test.
Since launching the Levin service in February, only five clients have failed.

One successful client was 52-year-old Rion Huria. Three decades ago he was suspended from driving for 12 months but never went back to sit his licence, until now.
With help from iHow, he was able to overcome his self-doubt.

"I left school at 15 and have never been very good at sitting tests," he said.
"My youngest son has his full licence, and I want to be able to go home and say "look, son, I have mine". After three hours of mentored study of the road code, Rion did the test and now has a licence for the first time in 30 years.

Zane 16, from Kapiti, travelled up for the course for the one-on-one tutoring and hands-on learning.

"I should have sat it a long time ago, but I'm not good at reading books and understanding what they mean," he said.

Though Zane was a little anxious, he passed the written test.

Levin man Enoka was encouraged to sit his licence after losing it more than a year ago but driving anyway. After his son attended the iHow course and came back with his licence Enoka decided to participate with his daughter, and now the whole family have their licences.

"If you listen to what they teach you, you will get your licence," he said.

Enoka drove without a licence, and when Police tried to pull him over for a broken headlight, he didn't stop. He said that fear of a fine for driving without a licence drove him to run from the police, who eventually caught up with him, impounded the car and sent him to court.

It was an easily preventable scenario had he just sat his licence earlier.

He asks others who may be in the same situation, to not "be dumb", and to just get a licence.

The service's founder, Suzanne Carpenter, said iHow is an easy-to-access option for anyone wanting to sit their licence. It recently became a charitable trust that will apply for funding to continue its efforts.

Mrs Carter said clients who sign up for a course with iHow would receive L plates, three hours of tutoring, biscuits, lollies and moral support through the testing process, all for the small fee of $20.

The trust is looking for another tutor in a part-time paid position, two days per week.

If you would like to do the course and get your licence or are interested in a rewarding job, contact Suzanne Carpenter 021 877 674 or email icarp@inspire.net.nz or visit www.ihow.co.nz