Driver licensing under review

Proposed changes to driver licensing will improve the system while maintaining high safety standards, says Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss.

The Ministry of Transport's Driver Licensing Review discussion document proposes moving license renewal process online and streamlining heavy vehicle and specialist driving endorsements.


Transferring the driver license renewal process online plus streamlining heavy vehicle and specialist driving endorsements have been proposed under the Driver Licensing Review.

Craig says a lot has changed since the current licensing system was introduced in 1999.

'While fundamental elements of the system such as the photo driver licence and minimum licensing age are not part of this review, there are a number of opportunities to modernise processes and improve efficiency.

'New Zealanders expect government services to be available online. A digital licence renewals process will save drivers, businesses and government time and money.”

In 2015 there were some 238,000 licence applications and 294,000 renewals.

The ministry has also proposed changes to heavy vehicle licences, with the aim of improving availability of properly trained heavy vehicle drivers without compromising safety.

'This proposal is about balancing the heavy vehicle industry's need for more drivers with government and road users' high safety expectations. I urge anyone in the heavy vehicle sector to consider the options and make a submission.

'The discussion document also looks at reducing the frequency of eyesight testing. This option will also make it easier for New Zealanders to complete licensing transactions online,” says Craig.

The release of the Government's discussion paper this week has been welcomed by Ken Shirley, chie executive of national body The Road Transport Forum which represents the commercial road freight industry.

Ken says the review of the driver licensing system has been long overdue.

'For 15 years the Road Transport Forum has pushed the Ministry of Transport to review the current driver licence system for heavy vehicles,” explains Ken.

'The current system is a major impediment to attracting new drivers; it takes too long and is far too expensive. I'm glad to see both the Associate Minister and the Ministry acknowledge that fact.”

Of the proposed changes to heavy vehicle licensing, the discussion paper present four options but he says two are only variations on the status quo.

But options three and four – the removal of some licensing stages and the direct progression from a Class 2 full licence to a Class 5 full licence for drivers 25 years and over – address a number of the industry's concerns and 'show considerable promise”.

'The Road Transport Forum looks forward to constructively engaging in this process on behalf of our members associations and the broader industry,” says Ken.

Public Submissions close June 2. For more information, to view the discussion document or to download submission forms visit: www.transport.govt.nz/dlr


Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss. Photo: File

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12 comments

Clive Anderson

Posted on 26-04-2016 09:40 | By maildrop

How does reducing eye test frequency not compromise safety? I would have thought with NZs terrible road statistics they would be trying to up the standard rather than making it easier for crap drivers to get a license. Oh sorry, just realised, it has nothing to do with standards and everything to do with money and ease. Does it mean they are doing away with those licenses you can buy from that dodgy bloke round the back of the AA shop?


It seems to me.....

Posted on 26-04-2016 10:11 | By Jimmy Ehu

that nationally and locally cyber space is taking over many duties of Council employed staff, soooo should that not mean a reduction in staff levels?, "streamlining" systems and all, so all things being equal Tauranga Councils new building should be a shared space with Western Bay and Regional Council, yep will never happen though, as the op shops would be inundated with now unused suits, briefcases, desks, cups from the tea room and many other sundry items!!!,


Doesn't bode well ...

Posted on 26-04-2016 11:53 | By Seriously?

that enabling inexperienced drivers of heavy vehicles - whether over 25 or not - to jump entire licence classes, sometimes after already losing 6 months or so after gaining their HV licences through a Polytechnic or other accredited driving establishment. An inexperienced HV driver out on the road in a fully laden truck and trailer unit effectively sends out a 40 tonne weapon against every other road user and/or pedestrian. Take it back to old school ways of HV learner drivers coming up through the ranks and graduating up the licence classes as they achieve them with experience over time and on the job.


A Licence To Thrill

Posted on 26-04-2016 12:45 | By Road Ranger

I agree with "Seriously" that you MUST come up through the "ranks" to get to a class 5 licence - NO "short-cuts" There is NO compromising safety. Even now there are people turning up at transport companies looking for a job with the appropriate classes of licence with absolutely no experience, they have got their licence from a "dodgy" place or from the old days when licences were much easier to obtain. correct training and "road" experience will make for better and safer drivers. Do away with transferring overseas heavy vehicle licences - should start from scratch if they wish to drive heavy vehicles in NZ.


But

Posted on 26-04-2016 20:02 | By Capt_Kaveman

VTNZ continue to employ people from overseas rather than a nzer, how does a good nz driver teach in their own country when are pushed out by imigrants from england, while VTNZ is now not run by the govt but private contract


I must have missed something

Posted on 26-04-2016 20:23 | By astex

"while maintaining high safety standards" suggests that we have achieved high standards already. When did that happen?


Spot on Capt Kaveman

Posted on 27-04-2016 08:38 | By Road Ranger

Not only is VTNZ a private contractor but they are a large German company - Dekra - interesting on the website they are "assisting" immigrants into a job in NZ. Unbelievable, yes they will be teaching us to drive!!


Spot on

Posted on 28-04-2016 12:36 | By morepork

All of the posts below are expressing proper and pertinent doubt. Given our current road toll, we shouldn't be doing anything that smacks of "short cuts". And there is no substitute for practical experience when it comes to heavy vehicles. Just one point about Germans (Dekra) "teaching us to drive"...Imagine if it was the Turks (worst drivers in the World, in my opinion). At least the Germans take driving seriously and I always felt safe on the roads there. Still, it is wrong in principle for Kiwis to be pushed out of jobs by immigration and they keep telling us that's not what immigration is about. There seems to be a general perception that modern technology (computers, phones, etc.) can solve anything and we can just let them get on with it. There are some classes of problem where there is no substitute for wetware (people), rather than software.


Cavey & Ranger

Posted on 28-04-2016 13:37 | By maildrop

Given most overseas roads (drivers) are safer than here, particularly Germany, it can only be a good thing that up and coming drivers are taught by skilled immigrants rather than Kiwis with their blas


Maildrop

Posted on 28-04-2016 14:54 | By Kenworthlogger

Anyone can drive on an autobahn mate. No skill needed for that. I bet most Germans have never driven on dirt offhighway roads in a fully laden truck..... Nz roads are among some of the worst in the world. Coming from another country Maildrop surely you realise that?


Ken

Posted on 29-04-2016 06:21 | By maildrop

Germany is big. Look at a map. How much do you think is covered by Autobahn?! Same all over Europe - vast majority of roading is similar to here. You're right, I'm not from here, and having driven all over Europe I can tell you that NZ roads are excellent but the driving is terrible. Simple as that, you just make excuses for bad driving and attitude. Good to see VTNZ are trying to correct this, though it is too late for the thousands of people who have managed to get a license even though they have little skill and a blas


Maildrop

Posted on 01-05-2016 22:26 | By Kenworthlogger

Take a ride on the state hwy between Papamoa and Pukehina. Its sinking has bumps everywhere lots of patches and joins. Terrible by anyones imagination. Drive to Auckland and its the same the whole way up. Where the road is particularly bad instead of fixing the road the put up bumpy road signs. Far from Excellent!


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