I am petitioning that the government reduce the cost of getting a New Zealand driver license for all New Zealanders as I believe that all people should have the opportunity to learn to drive safety. I also believe it shouldn’t be out of the reach for the average New Zealander.

Did you know it costs $93.90 to get a learners license and then if you don’t pass additional $45.70. It then costs $134.80 to get your restricted if you don’t pass that it’s an additional $86.60. Then to get your full license $109.50 and if you do not pass an additional $59.90.

Necessities that are helpful for being a safe driver:

$25 for the road code book

$ 10-$20 of practice tests online prior to getting your learner license

$70 per lesson with driving instructor for an hour.

My recommendation is that the government needs to review these costs as they impact on the number of young drivers going through the process. I believe if part of the testing was government funded we would have more people driving on the road that are licensed and have good driving practices. This would then mean that not as many young people getting injured and killed. Personally, I think the total cost should be subsidized by the government and the cost to getting your learners needs to be reduced to $45 , getting your restricted should cost $65 and getting your full should cost $54.00. This is essentially cutting it in half and perhaps the government needs to subsidize some driving lessons for those parents on benefits.

Yours truly concerned learner driver

Madeline Christopher