A driver licence has been called the key to the door of life’s opportunities, but some people are missing out because of barriers in the driver licensing system.
Not having a driver licence can affect people’s access to jobs, training, community activities, and health services for themselves and their families.
Better access to driver licensing will improve employment opportunities and community participation, and result in more drivers trained to drive safely.
We’re working to reduce barriers and make gaining a New Zealand driver licence more accessible for people across Aotearoa New Zealand. Our focus is on groups that are overrepresented in the 10% of people who face significant barriers to getting a driver licence:
We've had kōrero with people involved in driver licensing across Aotearoa about the barriers people in their communities face, how we can reduce those barriers, and the ideas they have for a more accessible driver licensing system.
Guided by Tiriti o Waitangi, we have been working with our Tiriti partners to find ways to better respond to Māori aspirations for the system and deliver solutions that meet their needs.
From this feedback we identified some changes we could make to improve driver licensing.
We introduced a new type of driver testing officer – community driver testing officers, who provide focused support for communities that struggle with accessing driver testing.
We added more driver test routes – practical testing sites - and we’ve made mobile theory testing available in more areas.
We’re developing more regional support as well as partnering on community trials in Tairāwhiti (Gisborne) and the Far North to improve access to driver testing.
A new type of driver testing officer, called community driver testing officers or CDTOs, has been introduced to support community driver training and mentoring programmes.
By June 2024, over 5550 practical tests had been conducted by community testing officers, with over 4800 tests passed by people who previously had difficulty accessing the driver licensing system.
To improve access to testing, we added new testing routes in the second half of 2022, new test routes were set up in Matamata, Upper Hutt, Kaikohe, Dargaville, Wairoa and Waipukurau, and in September 2023 a test route was opened in Ōpōtiki..
Working with AA, we’re trialling mobile theory testing through a community provider to see if it’s an effective way to reach people who’ve had difficulty accessing learner testing. especially people living in remote rural communities.
In September 2023 a trial started with Eastbay REAP (Rural Education Activities Programme) in Ōpōtiki, Bay of Plenty, to test the impact of having a community provider offering mobile theory testing in their rohe (district).
We've introduced new regional advisors to strengthen and develop community driver training and mentoring programmes in communities around Aotearoa. This will help our regions and communities to give better access and support to learner drivers.
Three safer driver education advisors have also been appointed. They’re working alongside community providers to create quality learning resources for driver training programmes.
A testing administration role is also being created to improve access to group bookings for community providers.
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Northland |
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Auckland |
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Waikato, Taranaki, Wellington |
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Bay of Plenty and Tairāwhiti |
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Hawke's Bay and Central (Manawatu and Wairarapa) |
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Marlborough, Nelson, Kaikōura and West Coast |
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Southland, Canterbury, Otago Regional Advisor |
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Toni Fauonuku, based in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland |
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Makareta McDonnell, based in Hawke’s Bay |
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Angela McDonnell, based in Christchurch |
We've partnered with Far North REAP (Rural Education Activities Programme) and Tairāwhiti REAP to trial new ways of making access to driver testing for restricted and full licences faster and easier.
While the two-year trials concluded in June 2024, the funding and CDTO services are continuing.
A third trial started with Eastbay REAP in Ōpōtiki, Bay of Plenty, in September 2023, to test the provision of mobile theory testing by a community provider for the first time.
What we learn from these community trials will help us develop a more effective driver licensing system.
The impact of these community initiatives on the lives of people in both Tairāwhiti and the Far North is shown in these stories and videos.
As part of Budget 2022, the Government announced $86.5 million in funding to support 64,000 more people to get driver licenses. The funding is for driver licensing support and removing barriers for people who have trouble getting a driver licence.
A list of MSD approved providers who received funding for year 2 is now available:
GETS | Ministry of Social Development - Driver License Training and Support Programme(external link)
This mahi to improve access to driver licensing was initiated by the Driver Licensing Improvement programme. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) led this two-year programme in collaboration with:
While the programme concluded in June 2024, this work is being continued by other NZTA teams, in collaboration with our agency partners and the Driving Change Network.
Driving Change Network(external link)
Our newsletter Improving Driver Licensing gives updates on how the work toward better access to driver licensing is progressing.
Improving Driver Licensing – Programme Update 26 June 2024(external link)
Improving Driver Licensing – Programme Update 30 April 2024(external link)
Improving Driver Licensing – Programme Update 6 December 2023(external link)
Improving Driver Licensing – Programme Update 29 September 2023(external link)
Improving Driver Licensing – Programme Update 27 July 2023(external link)
Improving Driver Licensing – Programme Update 31 May 2023(external link)
Improving Driver Licensing – Programme Update 29 March 2023(external link)
Improving Driver Licensing – Programme Update 1 February 2023(external link)
Improving Driver Licensing – Programme Update 7 December 2022(external link)
