Foreign drivers to sit New Zealand Drivers Licence test

An absolute must - far too many dead Kiwis already!!!

Foreign drivers should have mandatory test in order to obtain a license in this country

No more families should have to go through this unnecessary heartache. NZ teens spend a year and a half learning to drive our roads, why are foreigners afforded this privilege the minute they arrive?? I'd happily sit a test in another country if that was part of the rules of entry.

There are too many innocent new zealanders being killed and injured by ignorant tourists

It's needed

No more tragic road accidents please.

Not many of our visitors visit for longer than three months.. !! I think it should be for all foreigners ... Stats say it all

This is a must. Too many accidents.

Make this change happen lives are at stake everyday on our roads.

I wholeheartedly support this. I've just spent 2 weeks in hospital and face months of rehab after a foreign driver hit me whilst I was horse riding on the very edge of our rural road. Our horse George died as a result from horrific injuries. The man accused of driving head-on into us at speed on the white fog line was a Chinese national, here on a short term visa. My 13 year old daughter, who was immediately in front on our other horse witnessed trauma you wouldn't wish on anyone. She and I will carry these emotional scars for a very long time. Foreign drivers should not be allowed to 'arrive and drive' without V plates, or a test if they're staying longer than 3 months. We have to jump through hoops to drive in countries like China. Yet International Licence holders can come here, often with little practical driving experience as soon as they touch down. Prime Minister John Key's ill-informed comments that we must preserve reciprocal arrangements are just that. Wrong. We have no such arrangement with places like the Cooks or China for instance. My heart goes out to Rhys Middleton's family, it is a travesty you've had to endure losing your son. Surely changing our legislation to introduce a test for those staying past 3 months, will cost a hell of a lot less than the ongoing cost to our health and judicial systems when foreign drivers maime or kill others on our roads. The NZ Government needs to stop pussy-footing around trade deals and tourism. A test will not stop people coming here. But it may just give foreigners a reality check and possibly the confidence before they drive around our unique and beautiful countryside.

About time

Why only do this for people who are here for 3 months! A lot of accidents resulting on death happen the day they arrive i the country! By the time 3 months is up they will have already done damage. I don't think this solves the problem. I think people especially from Asian countries should have passed some sort education prior to driving in NZ full stop. This is not racist, it's just that driving is such a hugely different experience in Asia compared to say England and the USA.

Long overdue

Totally agree

My cousin was killed by a tourist whilst he was on the side of the road edge ( on the gravel) putting his wet weather kit on. He was hit & thrown infront of an oncoming car. He was not braking any road code rules, just trying to stay dry as it has started to rain. An on coming car had to cross the lane & end up on the 'wrong' side of the road to run him down. The sooner this rule comes in the better.

Too many unnecessary deaths, our roads are tricky, most have no dividing barriers. This petition is to keep everyone safe.

I think this is a great idea. They need to understand the rules etc. Safer for them and other road users.

I agree with this petition.

I am a responsible driver and as such would be happy to sit any countries reasonable driving test (some of Africa is a bit wacky) As such all visitors including holiday makers should sit a basic test. Those staying longer; A full test

Count me it to Overseas tourist driver testing here in NZ. And I don't care if I have to endure the same testing in other countries.