John Williamson: Is New Zealand's graduated licence system working?

One of the steps to becoming a fully licensed motor vehicle driver - learner's licence testing. The graduated licence system in NZ is in three stages, writes John Williamson. Photo / NZME

ON THE ROAD

The Northland coroner reported last week on a horrific fatal crash 30 months ago. She identified that youth and speed were the principal factors behind the crash in which a teenage passenger died and the young driver was permanently brain damaged. The two other passengers were seriously injured.

There's a sense of inevitability that a young, restricted driver with three passengers in an unwarranted car, driving at 150km/h on a rural road, will have a tragic outcome. No amount of speed limit signs or roadside warnings will prevent a crash at that speed. There is huge sadness when a parent buries their young child.

This raises the question of the effectiveness of the driver licensing system, which is under review. This was the discussion among a group of grandparents last week. We had a gentle reminder that their licences were gained with a single road code test and a drive around the block with the local cop, and at that stage we had an annual 800 road fatalities. "There but for the grace of God go I" quickly brought the discussion to a more rational level.

The value of a driver's licence is well documented in terms of employment, employability, independence, a sense of achievement and a photo ID. Many employers express frustration about the lack of driver's licences and the system their people have to go through to get one. I am aware of a few who are taking considerable steps to assist their staff in that process.

The graduated licence system in New Zealand is in three stages. First, you pay for and pass a theory test about the road code and you get your learner licence with photo ID. This allows the young person to learn to drive, in order to get your restricted licence as the second stage.

It's best to have professional lessons to set you on the right path. You need at least 120 hours of supervised practice to gain driving skills, raise $135 and book for your 60-minute driving test.

Booking the test is the pinch point. There are too few testers spread too thinly across the country and applicants wait up to three months for their test. With a 40 per cent failure rate there could be another three months for the retest.

Pass the driving test and you get your restricted licence, which allows you to drive unsupervised between 5am and 10pm, not carry passengers without a licensed supervisor, and have zero alcohol level while driving.

After 18 months of behaving yourself behind the wheel you part with a further $110 and book a full-licence 30-minute test. There could be another three-month wait, but at least you can drive, and about 140,000 New Zealanders are still on only their restricted licence.

There's a problem with that because you can't drive with passengers or at all hours without the full licence.

The graduated licence system is based on various private enterprise contracts and there is no particular co-ordination or evaluation of the various components. The learner licence is reasonably straightforward.

The opportunity for supervised practice can be a problem for some, but there are a number of community and professional organisations providing driving mentors, and willing parents with the time and right attitude can be a huge help with the restricted licence.

There can be an equity issue, though, with disadvantaged applicants and limited testing localities.

The final two tests are in the hands of VTNZ nationwide, and the pressure of demand and a lack of testers causes the long wait-lists, but VTNZ is working on that.

In some Australian states, the final licence arrives in the mail after two years of clean, restricted driving. This obviates the need for a final test and seems a pretty smart move to me.

There is clearly a need for regional co-ordination and a wider spread of testing localities, which it is hoped a national review will identify. Having well-licensed drivers makes for safer roads, and the value of a driver's licence far outweighs the cost to obtain it.

• John Williamson is chairman of Roadsafe Northland and Northland Road Safety Trust, a former national councillor for NZ Automobile Association and former Whangārei District Council member.