Fewer learner drivers are passing their practical tests after the New Zealand Transport Agency introduced tougher testing at the start of the month.

Almost 1500 tests were conducted in the first two weeks of the new regime and early results from the NZTA show the pass rate has dropped from 80 per cent to 39 per cent.

NZTA Chief Executive Geoff Dangerfield says a sharp drop in the initial stages of the new restricted tests was expected.

'The new test is more challenging, and a higher standard of driving is needed to pass. That is the whole point, and we make no apologies for that. The new test demands more practice and more preparation, and it will take some time for that message to filter through.”

The pass rate for the Bay of Plenty/Waikato is below average on 31 per cent.

Bay of Plenty manager for the Automobile Association, Heather Jurgens says while bookings are not reducing, centres in the Bay of Plenty have noticed more young drivers are failing.

'I agree that the drop in pass rate is not unexpected. The test is designed to be more difficult. They need to have at least 120 hours of supervised driving and the ones that fail I don't believe they are getting that.”

While Heather has not heard any feedback regarding what drivers were failing on, she says it was often 'lots of little but important things adding together to bring the overall score down”.

Research shows that young drivers who complete 120 hours of supervised practice on their learner licence have a solo-driving crash rate 40 per cent lower than those who only complete 50 hours.

'It's important that we remember what this new test is all about. It is about reducing needless deaths and injuries on our roads, improving the standards of young and novice drivers and encouraging them to take the time to develop their skills. We are doing young people no favours with a ‘once over lightly' approach.”

Geoff urges learner drivers to wait until they are properly prepared before booking an appointment to sit the new test.

'This is a more challenging test, and people need to ask themselves ‘am I really ready for this?' before they book an appointment to sit the test. The reality is if you haven't put in 120 hours supervised practice, you aren't ready, and you're not likely to pass.”

For the next six weeks the NZTA will waive the fee for cancelling or rescheduling tests for drivers who have already booked appointments to sit the new test if they decide they need more time to prepare, provided notice was given two working days prior to the scheduled appointment.

Young drivers and their parents are urged to take advantage of the free resources available from the NZTA/ACC online Practice programme www.practice.co.nz, which is specifically aimed at helping young drivers get 120 hours of supervised driving under their belts before sitting the restricted test.

Further information about the content of the new restricted driver licence test is available on the NZTA website at http://www.nzta.govt.nz/licence/photo/new-restricted-test.html

Breakdowns of test results by region, age and gender: