Wanganui's 15-year-olds are rushing to get their learner's licence before the age limit lifts from 15 to 16.
From Monday, no one under the age 16 can legally drive.
As well, the age requirement for people wishing to obtain a restricted licence goes up to a minimum of 16-and-a-half years.
Automobile Association Wanganui
district manager Sue Lumbsden said the AA was busier with people wanting to sit their licence, although not fully booked.
"It has picked up in the last two weeks.
"There is less of a panic when they [15-year-olds] understand they can't get their restricted til they are 16-and-a-half.
"In saying that, there are a few kids who want to get it done and have been doing so."
The change is a disappointment for Wanganui's youngsters, but also their parents who now have to play chauffeur for an even longer period.
Shannon Ratana, whose son Jayden Ratana-Hartley, 15, lives in Marton and now has to wait a further year, said the change had been unnecessary.
"They should just keep it at 15.
"It's not really the young ones that are causing the accidents, really, it's a lot of the older ones.
"It's people in their 20s, 30s and even older than that who are being careless around here."
Cullinane College student Ben Cosson, 15, said he could not afford to get his licence before the deadline.
"I can't afford it... it's going to be really hard for us. I live out in Wanganui East and rely on mum to drive me in."
His girlfriend, Jess Rowe, 14, who lives in Ohakune, was also unhappy about the change.
She would be hassling her parents a lot to get to places such as work and up the mountain, she said.
"There's places I need to be."
A learner's licence test requires applicants to pass a multi-choice test in which they can not get more than three questions wrong.
Following this, they must wait half a year to sit their restricted test.
However, if a 15-year-old obtains their learner's licence before Monday, they will have to wait until they are at least 16-and-a-half to move on to their restricted licence.
