Younger drivers more dedicated to passing test

THOUSANDS of people are failing tougher driving licence tests each year, but it seems the younger you are, the better your chance of passing.

The New Zealand Transport Agency introduced more challenging class 1 (car) practical tests in February 2012 in a bid to improve the safety of young and novice drivers.

As expected, raising the bar and demanding a higher level of driving knocked back the pass rate, NZTA spokesman Andy Knackstedt said.

The month after the tougher tests were introduced, the national pass rate dropped from about 80 per cent to 38 per cent.

In 2011, NZTA recorded 10,618 failed restricted class 1 licence tests, figures under the Official Information Act reveal. But in 2013 this jumped to 27,230.

Knackstedt said the pass rates were gradually climbing as people realised that more practice and preparation were required.

The national pass rate for the restricted licence was now sitting at about 55 per cent.

‘‘We are pleased that novice drivers appear to be putting in more time and preparation to sit the new tests.’’

When the figures were broken down, they revealed that the younger the person sitting the test the higher the pass rate.

In November, the pass rate for 16-year-olds was 66 per cent, dropping to 56 per cent for 18-year-olds and 54 per cent for those aged 20 to 24.

The pass rate dropped below 50 per cent for those aged over 34 and kept declining.

AA public affairs manager Liam Baldwin said it seemed youngsters were doing better at the new tests. ‘‘We’ve seen younger people more determined to do it right the first time.’’

Gaining a driving licence was a rite of passage for teenagers, and many were dedicated to achieving their goal. The cost of having to resit the exam also spurred young people to get it right, Baldwin said.

Those who attended a defensive driving course were 10 per cent more likely to pass their full test on their first try.

The full licence pass rates followed the same trend, with 90 per cent of 17-year-olds who sat their tests last month passing. This dropped down to 72 per cent for 20 to 24-year-olds.