Porirua the place to sit your test
Worried about passing your restricted driving test? Take it in Porirua.
Figures from NZ Transport Agency show Porirua leads Wellington and Lower Hutt in pass rates for learner drivers.
Porirua also heads this year’s pass rates for full licence tests.
Emily Davadoss got her restricted licence in March, having sat it in Porirua. She said a friend attempted hers in Lower Hutt recently, and failed.
‘‘She said it was a nightmare, roundabouts, lights, lots of traffic. You wouldn’t expect a learner driver to be able to navigate that,’’ Davadoss said.
In comparison, the Porirua test went through Elsdon, Kenepuru Rd and Titahi Bay, through a couple of traffic lights, and one roundabout.
Davadoss said her friend had not booked in another attempt at getting her licence, but expected she would pick another part of the region.
The transport agency’s test routes are all within a nationally consistent standard.
However, spokesman Andy Knackstedt said there had been ‘‘a bit more variance for the local pass rates for the first three months of this year’’ in Wellington.
This was based on a smaller number of tests than in the 2015 data, and was still within 10 per cent of the national average.
The standard requirements for test routes included minimum levels of traffic density.
‘‘Topography is not a factor, as test routes do not include steep hills, ‘‘ he said.
Tests for a restricted licence are up to 60 minutes long and include 45 minutes of driving time. The test for a full licence is 30 minutes, with 20 minutes of driving.
Practical driver testing was taken over by Vehicle Testing New Zealand last May.