The government is proposing major
changes to New Zealand’s driver licence systems for the
first time in 14 years.
The proposed
changes would drop the second practical test to get a
full licence, reduce the number of required eyesight tests
and impose harsher rules for drivers on learners and
restricted licences.
“Internationally, we are an
outlier in requiring a practical driving test when going
from a restricted licence to full,” Transport Minister Chris
Bishop said.
“Other countries such as Australia
require those on restricted licences to have longer learner
periods, reduced demerit thresholds, or mandatory practice
hours.”
The government is also mulling whether to
impose a minimum
requirement for practice hours for drivers, recommended
by AA.
AA road safety spokesperson Dylan Thomsen said
it was easier
to get a licence in New Zealand than in any of the
developed countries the AA looked at. So, lets see how New
Zealand’s new licence regime compares to other
countries.
How does New Zealand’s driver licence
tests compare to other countries?
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In New Zealand, you
can apply for a learner licence if you are 16 years old or
older. You will sit a theory test, then, if you pass, you
can learn to drive with a supervisor present and ‘L’ plates
displayed on the car.
Once you have held your learner
licence for at least six months, you can take your practical
test.
If you pass, you will receive a restricted
licence which allows you to drive with limitations on when
you can drive and if you can have passengers.
If you
are under 25 you must have held your restricted licence for
a minimum of 18 months which reduces to 12 months if you
complete the AA Driver’s Seat Defensive Driving Course,
before you can go for your full licence test. That reduces
to a minimum of six months and three months, respectively,
for those over aged 25.
To receive a full licence,
Kiwi drivers must pass a second practical driving test –
this is the test the government is looking to
axe.
Drivers in New Zealand are also required to
undergo an eyesight test before their learner, restricted
and full driving tests.
In Australia, the rules for
obtaining a licence differ slightly depending on the
state.
Like New Zealand, in Australia you must be over
16 to begin the process of obtaining a full driver’s
licence, except for Australian Capital Territory which
requires drivers to be over 15 years and nine months. In the
United Kingdom (UK) drivers also must be be at least 15
years and nine months old.
To receive a learners
licence, Australians must pass an eyesight test and theory
test. After passing the test, drivers will receive a
learner’s permit. When driving on a learner’s permit,
drivers must have a supervisor with a full licence present,
display ‘L’ plates on the front and back of the car. There
are also other rules for learner drivers such as never
driving over 90km/h, no towing vehicles and no alcohol in
their system.
In the UK, there is also a theory test,
including a hazard perception test, and eyesight test. Just
like Australia and New Zealand, new UK drivers must be
supervised when driving and display ‘L’ plates. In Northern
Ireland, the speed limit for learner drivers is 45 miles
(roughly 72km) per hour, while the rest of the UK speed
limits are the same for all drivers.
The next step in
Australia is to get a provisional licence known as ‘Red Ps’.
To sit your provisional licence test, if you are under the
age of 25, you must hold your learner’s permit for at least
12 months, while if you are 25 or over you must hold your
learner’s permit for at least six months. You also must
complete a minimum number of supervised driving experience,
however, the number of hours required is different in each
state.
After passing a Practical Driving Assessment
(PDA), Australian drivers receive their Red Ps which they
hold for one year. After a year, they receive a Green P or
P2.
After six months of holding a Green P licence,
drivers will be eligible for a full licence. Unlike New
Zealand, there is no second practical test.
In the UK,
after passing the practical test, new drivers can learn how
to drive with a supervisor present. You must put an ‘L’
plate on the front and back of your vehicle. In Wales, they
use a ‘D’ plate instead.
New drivers in the UK can
book their practical test once they have passed their theory
test. There’s no minimum number of lessons you must have
done before you book and take your test. There is also an
eyesight test.
Upon successful completion of the
driving test, you’ll be issued a full UK driver’s licence.
Drivers who have just passed the test can display optional
‘P’ plates on their car which show other drivers you are
less experienced on the roads.
Consultation on the New
Zealand government’s proposed changes opens on Tuesday on
the Ministry of Transport’s website, and closes on 9
June.
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