Transporting New Zealand is calling on political parties to fund a school-based driver licensing pathway connecting young people with free, accredited training and support.
The road freight industry body says more than one million New Zealanders aged 16 and over do not hold a full Class 1 licence, including almost 500,000 with no driver licence at all.
Research by the Driving Change Network estimates up to 90,000 people struggle to enter the Graduated Driver Licensing System or stall part-way through it each year.
Transporting New Zealand policy and communications advisor Rowan Everton says many people cannot access existing support schemes because they do not meet eligibility criteria or are unaware of the assistance available.
“This is where schools can better connect young people – who may not have family support or a car to practise in – and the many organisations who are doing good work in this area,” Everton says.
“But this will require a greater funding commitment from the Government.”
Transporting New Zealand wants schools to help students navigate the licensing process and refer them to free and accessible driver education programmes.
The association says holding a licence can significantly improve a young person’s employment prospects.
“Around 70% of all jobs require a driver licence as a prerequisite, and this figure could be up to 85% for entry-level jobs,” Everton says.
“At a time when people aged 16 to 24 are facing high unemployment and underutilisation rates, ensuring this group is not facing unfair disadvantages in gaining their licence is one way the incoming Government can level the playing field.”
Transporting New Zealand says established community programmes have demonstrated the wider economic and social benefits of helping people obtain licences.
Social-return assessments found every dollar invested generated an estimated return of $3.26 through the Howard League driver programme, $5.10 through Drive My Life–Taraiwa Mataora and $7.20 through Blue Light’s Youth Driver Navigator Programme.
The benefits include improved employment opportunities and reduced safety and legal risks associated with unlicensed driving.
The proposal could also help address workforce shortages in road freight, where operators face an ageing driver population and continued reliance on overseas workers.
Research commissioned by Transporting New Zealand shows one in 10 truck drivers is aged over 65. One-third of transport businesses expect up to 25% of their employees to retire or leave the industry within five years.
“We have a group of people in great need of career opportunities, and a road transport sector that is crying out for skilled, capable drivers,” Everton says.
“Bridging this gap should be a priority for both the Government and for the industry.”
Everton says a licence remains important even when driving is not part of a person’s job.
“Even if you don’t need a licence for work, the chances are you’ll need it to get to work,” he says.
“Schools are well-placed to normalise licence attainment and safe driving behaviour as part of the transition to adulthood, and should be better enabled to help facilitate this for students.”
Transporting New Zealand’s election platform also calls for expanded funding for Class 1 licence training and changes allowing supervised work experience and competency-based assessment to reduce the time required to obtain a heavy vehicle licence.
