J Stratford

our 19-year-old grandson has recently missed obtaining his driver’s licence for a fourth time. I’m sure someone else wrote in a while ago asking why so many are failing and having to resit their licences time and again.

Having completed three AA lessons in Rotorua and two with Mary Lou Driving in Whakatāne (both instructors very nice people, informative and caring), he was given the go ahead to apply as they felt he was ready.

On sitting – what happens? You are harshly judged – two examples. Tyres just on the edge of the concrete roundabout. Increasing your speed just before the 100kmh speed sign – come on.

Don’t they realise that constantly being refused is a big letdown, lowers self-esteem could lead to depression and spiral further.

It could also cause them to give up and drive without a licence (not in this case). How about understanding that from day one as a driver you are constantly learning and aware. That first day going solo is nerve-wracking, terrifying and exhilarating.

The backlog to sit is 60 days-plus, why is that? Are they trying to justify their jobs? Are the inspectors themselves having to resit every so often? Other centres have in some case have a two-week wait. I would say most of us would fail under present situations.

J Stratford

Ellen Cook, communications executive Vehicle Testing New Zealand, responds:

We understand that it's frustrating when driver testing applicants need to take their driving test multiple times, particularly after also taking driving lessons. We are not able to discuss the test applicant's results in a public forum to protect the privacy of the driver testing applicant.

Regarding the cause of the backlog for our driving tests, we have seen a significant increase in the demand nationwide for our driver testing services since the changes to driver testing resits. The backlog is caused by the amount of driver testing applicants who are wanting to take their test and have been booking test slots to have a chance to give the tests a go.

To help with the increase in wait time as much as possible we have been increasing our customer hours, including weekend hours in some locations, loading any time when we can and opening our schedules for driving tests three months in advance to give applicants more slots to book, urging other driver testing applicants to cancel their test if they cannot make their booked test slot and reminding test applicants about their test with text reminders.

We have also increased the number of our driver testing officers nationwide by 30 percent since the removal of test resit fees on October 1, 2023. Finding solutions to this issue is a top priority for NZTA and VTNZ.

So that driver testing applicants are prepared for their practical tests, both VTNZ and NZTA recommend that driver testing applicants are prepared for their test and have had plenty of practice; NZTA recommends 120 hours of driving practice. Make sure the vehicle for the practical driving tests is up to WoF/CoF standard and has a current WoF/CoF, registration, RUC licence (if applicable) and enough petrol for the duration of the test.

Remember to show up for your test on time as, if you’re late and don’t have time for any pre-test checks, the driving test can’t go ahead.