Free driving lessons get thumbs-up

NEW DRIVER: Wanganui's Stuart McLeod says free driving lessons will encourage people to get their learner's licence. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO 061014WCSMLEARNER1

Wanganui drivers have praised a move by the Automobile Association which gives three free driving lessons to some learner drivers. The AA's Ignition programme will be available to those who are, or are related to, AA members.

AA Driving School general manager Nigel Clark said the initiative aimed to help young drivers before they picked up bad habits.

"For many young people, learning to drive is a time that is filled with challenges and uncertainty. Professional driving instructors ensure new drivers have the best start on the road to getting a full driver licence."

The programme will be available to people in the first two months of holding a learner licence.

Wanganui 24-year-old Stuart McLeod plans to get his learner's within the next month and said the AA programme would provide huge incentive for people in his position. Mr McLeod said he knew how to drive but such courses would help improve the finer points of driving. Other soon-to-be drivers and parents spoken to by the Chronicle were keen to take up the offer.

Parents are able to ride along during the lessons which Mr Clark said would show them how best to teach their children.

"Learner drivers need the right combination of professional driving lessons with plenty of supervised practice between them," Mr Clark said.

Since the restricted licence test was toughened, only about half passed first time.

In July last year the AA introduced a free one-off lesson, but with the extension of the programme they are recruiting 50 more driving instructors nationwide.

Between 5000 and 6000 people pass a learner driver's test each month and the Ignition programme is worth $200 to those who complete it.

An AA youth membership is $39 while an adult pays $79.