NZ’s toughest testing stations revealed Penalties
A Hamilton VTNZ site’s reputation for harsh standards has proven to be no lie when it comes to drivers attempting to get their restricted licence, with the site topping a list for the highest fail rate in the country.
Learner drivers trying to get the coveted yellow piece of plastic have long held the belief Frankton VTNZ testing station has an especially bad reputation for failing drivers. And now figures released through the Official Information Act show their fears were well-founded, with the Frankton station failing more drivers than it passed in all categories – the only venue in the country to do so. VTNZ pins some of the blame on testees speeding through roadworks that have surrounded the site for a long period.
The figures also reveal the opposite at a southern licence testing utopia, with one AA testing station not failing a single applicant in the past two years.
Earlier this year reported on William Harris Jr, who travelled from Tauranga to Hamilton twice to sit his restricted driver test at VTNZ Frankton, so he could drive himself to and from his after school job.
However, Harris failed both times, eventually passing on his first attempt in Tauranga.
The Hamilton outfit was also where Letticia Pevy failed her full licence test for turning up with a dirty front passenger seat. She disputed the tester’s contention it was too soiled to travel in. She resat her test in Te Awamutu and passed with flying colours.
third request within 12 months for an interview with a VTNZ official on testing standards and consistency was turned down.
VTNZ operations support manager James Law instead said in a statement the regional differences in driver-test success rates occurred for several reasons, a key one being that test routes vary from region to region.
‘‘In the case of Frankton, there have been ongoing roadworks in and around the town centre for the past 18 months.
‘‘Driver-testing applicants failing to reduce their speed in a 30kmh roadworks zone have also contributed to lower success rates.’’
Law said that all driver-testing officers were required to use a driver-testing tablet to carry out a test on a predefined route.
‘‘This helps to ensure there is consistency in how tests are carried out. However, variability is always to be expected.’’
However, if you want to be cruising down the main street in your own wheels – then Rolleston is the best option to sit your restricted driver’s licence.
For the past two years AA Rolleston, near Christchurch, has had a 100 per cent pass rate among those sitting their restricted licence.
Around the country, driver test numbers were down more than 40,000 last year because of the Covid lockdown temporarily closing testing stations.
In 2019, about 94,759 people sat their restricted driving test, while in 2020 to August 31, 53,076 tried to get their licence.
Rolleston was hardly snowed under with applicants, but still, all 15 who sat the test as of August 31 passed.
Queenstown was the next best with an 80 per cent pass record from their 235 applicants.
Close behind was Timaru,
Driving on your learners’ licence unaccompanied, without someone who has held their full licence for two years or more, or without L plates could affect your licence status. If caught, the offender can face demerit points and fines. Waka Kotahi NZTA said that the amount will depend on the severity of the offence.
■ The driver could be disqualified, have the car impounded or even be imprisoned.
■ Reaching 100 demerit points over two years will automatically mean the driver loses their licence. A loss of licence means a longer wait before applying for a restricted licence.
■ Driving without a supervisor will be a loss of 35 demerit points and a $100 fine.
■ Not displaying L plates is a loss of 25 demerit points and a $100 fine. Demerit points remain active on a licence record for a period of two years from the date of the offence. which flipped last year’s stats and had the country’s third best pass rate of 78 per cent.
Whanganui was another town of successful drivers, with a pass rate of 75 per cent, with 405 people getting their restricted.
And to round out the top five, Levin and Westport each had a 73 per cent pass rate.
Frankton VTNZ was the most difficult place to please the driving testers, with only 44 per cent of the 1935 people passing, meaning 56 per cent would have had to re-sit.
Hastings also remained the second hardest place to get your licence – with a 50 per cent pass rate. Kerikeri was third with 51 per cent passing, meaning 262 people received their restricted licence.
Silverdale in Auckland had a 53 per cent pass rate as did Hamilton’s VTNZ on Tawn Place.
In fifth-equal spot were Glen Innes, Pukekohe, and Manukau.
In 2019, Rolleston once again had a 100 per cent pass rate.
The next best was Invercargill, which had a 78 per cent pass rate. Feilding wasn’t too far behind, with 76 per cent of its 1163 drivers doing all the correct things on the road.
Whanganui had a 74 per cent pass rate, with 798 drivers getting their restricted licence.
Once again, Frankton proved to be the most difficult place to become legal on the road, where of the 2920 people who sat their restricted only 1192 passed, resulting in a 41 per cent pass rate.
Hastings had the next lowest pass rate, with just 51 per cent of their 1633 people passing. Timaru was next, with 53 per cent from 705 people who sat their licence.
Westgate, New Lynn and Waikato Migrant Centre all had a 54 per cent pass rate. And Lichfield St VTNZ in Christchurch had a 55 per cent pass rate.