The NZ Transport Agency has selected Vehicle Testing New Zealand (VTNZ) as the preferred supplier for practical driver testing services following a robust procurement process.
VTNZ will take over as the sole provider of practical driver testing services from New Zealand Driver Licensing Ltd (NZDL) on May 1, 2015. VTNZ will be contracted to carry out all practical driver tests for car, motorcycle and heavy vehicle licences for an initial period of five years.
Transport Agency Group Manager Access and Use, Celia Patrick says the Agency put the contract for testing services out for tender earlier this year as part of a review of how driver licence testing is delivered, with the aim of improving the experience of drivers sitting their practical licence tests.
“VTNZ has been selected as the preferred supplier because we believe that they are best equipped to continue to enhance customer service and deliver practical tests at a consistently high standard.
“Practical driver testing is one of the most important interactions we have with young and novice drivers as they learn and embed safe driving habits. So it’s important to provide the best service we can so that new drivers can start out on the right path,” Ms Patrick says.
VTNZ Chief Executive Mike Walsh says the company is excited at the opportunity to bring its passion for safety and customer service to the area of driver testing.
“Customer service is at the core of VTNZ’s approach and our aim is to improve people’s experience of the testing process, just as we have with the other services we provide. We think we will be able to make the experience simpler, clearer and more accessible for everyone” said Mr Walsh.
Ms Patrick says the level of skill and competencies required to pass practical tests won’t be changing.
“Practical tests were made more challenging in 2012 as part of the Government’s Safer Journeys Strategy, in order to raise the skill level of young drivers, reduce crashes and prevent avoidable deaths and injuries. That remains our goal and the level of competency required to pass practical tests will not change with a new provider.”
Ms Patrick thanked New Zealand Driver Licensing Ltd for helping improve the safety of young and novice drivers over the last 16 years.
Further details on all of the changes can be found here(external link).
For more information please contact:
Andy Knackstedt
Media Manager
NZ Transport Agency
