Driving force for a driver licence
The driving forces behind a programme that has assisted hundreds of CHB people to get a driver's licence have not given up hope that the district will have its own testing facilities again one day.
The Connecting for Youth Employment Trust started the driver licensing programme in the aftermath of the NZTA's decision several years ago to remove restricted and full driver testing in CHB.
CYE Director, youth worker and CHB district councillor Kelly Annand said since the programme was started four years ago, it had helped more than 450 people in CHB gain their learner's, restricted or full driver's licence.
“We are now starting to see those who were originally referred to us for learners licensing, coming back to get the full stage of their licence,” she said.
Despite the programme's success, Mrs Annand said the absence of a dedicated practical testing centre remained amajor barrier to locals getting a licence.
She has approached Labour's Tukituki candidate Anna Lorck to ask if the trust could take over a petition Anna created, calling for more government help for young drivers, so it might be used to pressure the NZTA into reinstating testing facilities in CHB.
“Anna supports the community petition. I've requested stats and data because I really want to see what the impact of taking away the testing centre has had on [driver licence] pass rates in CHB. We are in 2017 and everything can be done on an iPad these days, so I don't understand why we don't have the ability to take testing facilities into schools, or marae or rural communities.”
Mrs Annand said an early goal of the employment-focused programme was to ensure locals were ready to take advantage of the potential jobs associated with the Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme.
“From working with
employers one of the key messages was they need people with the ability to drive, so our focus now also includes providing school leavers with the resources to get the best head start with a full clean driver’s licence.”
Participants in the programme, which operates out of EIT on Fridays, include referrals fromCHBCollege, Work and Income, police, court and probation. They’re not taught how to drive, but instead how to drive “safely and legally”.
Starting with helping novices to pass their learner’s theory test, which can still be done in Waipukurau, drivers going for their restricted or full licences are given lessons in theCHB Community Patrol Car by volunteermentors or two qualified driving instructors, before they are assisted with travel to Dannevirke to sit their practical tests.
“The programme is only successful because of Vikki Graham who co-ordinates it and our dedicated volunteers who give of their time every week, Community Patrolwho allow us to use their car for people who don’t always have access to a legal vehicle, and our driving instructors AmberAllen and Dave McNicol who go above and beyond,” Mrs Annand said.
She said it had been estimated it costs $1000 for a driver to achieve their full licence, and the programme helped remove some of the cost barriers through the free mentor lessons, made possible with the support of Te Taiwhenua o Tamatea, Centralines, EIT, Waipukurau Rotary Club, AONInsurance and Waicom.
CHBpolice officers Geoff Strothers and Glynn Sharpwere instrumental in helping set up the programme. Sgt Strothers said the initiative has not only led to better employment outcomes, but reduced the drain on the court system.
“I saw a need to help people to get their licences and keep them out of the court system. Alot of them were not committing any offences other than breaching their license conditions or driving disqualified.
“The best thing is helping them get their licence, rather than just fining them. It’s been a huge success across the full spectrum, from learner drivers to people who have been driving for 15 years but never gotten around to getting their full licence,” he said.
The programmewould not be possible without a reliable, roadworthy vehicle— which CHBCommunity Patrol founding member Lloyd Lawrence said his group was happy to supply.
“It’s a great asset to the community and we aremore than pleased to be able to provide the car.”