The Coromandel community of Whitianga is gearing up to fight for the return of practical driving tests in the town.
There have been no practical driving tests in Whitianga for the last eight years. Photo: 123RF
It lost the right back in 2012 after the Transport Agency introduced new criteria that meant the nearest town for testing is Thames, an hour and a half drive away.
The manager of Whitianga Social Services, Sheryll Fitzpatrick, said a training programme for people wanting to get their licence will start in Whitianga in the new year and without the ability to sit the practical, many young people in particular will be disadvantaged.
The training programme, Whitianga Whakatere, meaning navigation, will assist would-be drivers to get their restricted or full licence with help with fees, defensive driving courses and driving lessons with a qualified instructor.
It will be launched early in 2021.
''What we have found is that if people get an opportunity to have a couple of driving lessons prior to going for their practical test, the pass rate is significantly improved.''
She said with a growing roll at Mercury Bay Area School there will be a significant number of young people coming on who will need a driver's licence to enable them to get work.
''This is very much a trades town, as well as forestry, horticulture and hospitality, so it's really important for people to be able to drive.
''It's not helping the job seeking situation.''
Young people need a driver's licence to get work in Coromandel, the manager of Whitianga Social Services says. Photo: YouTube/ Waka Kotahi NZTA
She said Coromandel has the highest number of people looking for jobs in the North Island.
''I would have thought the government would be trying to do everything it possibly can to get people licensed so they can work.''
She says she will start lobbying MPs in the new year.
''We will keep on trying because I know it's not just Whitianga. A lot of other smaller communities are finding it difficult to [run tests] at the moment.''