High school students will be able to gain NCEA credits by getting their driver's licence from next year, the government announced today.
Education Minister Hekia Parata said employers had told the government young people were missing out on jobs because they did not have their licence.
Under the change, students will be able to gain two credits towards NCEA Level 1 by passing the learner licence theory test, four credits towards NCEA Level 2 by earning a restricted licence and a further two credits towards NCEA Level 2 by gaining a full licence.
"What this allows for is schools and tertiary providers that are accredited to report credits against the framework can do so.
"So the role of schools is to authenticate that the young person has actually passed the different levels and that they are eligible for the credits at the different levels and they can then be added to their record."
Listen to Ms Parata
Schools would not be obliged to offer driver training but some might choose to do so, Ms Parata said.