A new series of online videos developed by the NZ Transport Agency and ACC have been designed to help learner drivers master the key driving skills they need to pass their restricted licence test and set them up for a lifetime of safe driving habits.
As part of the long-standing collaboration between the two agencies on the Practice learner driver programme, the 41 short videos demonstrate all the driving skills necessary to go from absolute beginner to preparing to sit the restricted licence practical test. The series includes three videos for people helping someone to learn to drive – such as parents or friends – that offer tips and techniques on how to be a good coach.
The new videos are available on YouTube(external link) and on the Practice website(external link) where learner drivers and coaches can find free information and advice they can apply during their driving practice sessions. There are also five videos specifically about the restricted and full licence driving tests.
The Transport Agency’s Director of Road Safety, Ernst Zollner, says the videos have been created to be as friendly and engaging as possible so that young drivers have the best chance of success.
“Around 100,000 people sat their restricted licence last year and we know the challenges young people have in sitting the test. This resource gives them the information they need to avoid common mistakes. It’s about giving young drivers good habits from the start and the skills and experience to make safe decisions when they’re on the road.”
Each video demonstrates a key driving skill for learners, helping them understand what this looks and feels like, and providing tips for them and their coach on how to assess whether they’ve mastered it or not.
The videos are already proving popular, with online viewing data showing excellent results without any specific promotion until now to allow the full set to be completed.
“We’ve been loading the videos onto YouTube and the Practice website since December 2013, as they were completed, with the last of them going up in August. We’ve already clocked up over 350,000 views, with over 55,000 on the reverse parallel parking video alone,” says Mr Zollner.
Mr Zollner says the videos went through stringent reviews at every stage of development to make sure they were accurate, drawing on a wide range of expert advice.
For more information please contact:
Andy Knackstedt