Free AA driving lesson

Professional driver training is more accessible to new learner drivers with the start of the national roll out of the NZ Automobile Association’s free driving lesson programme.

The launch follows a successful three month pilot programme where the AA Driving School progressively expanded the reach of its free driving lesson offer to drivers who have held their learner licence for less than two months and are either AA Members or the sons or daughters of AA Members.

Half of the country’s newest motorists fail their restricted driving test because they are unprepared and potentially unsafe behind the wheel.

The AA says while this has reduced the number of new drivers on the roads, those who do make it through are much safer behind the wheel.

A tougher restricted driving test was introduced by the Transport Agency in early 2012 which, along with lifting the age of driver licence eligibility to 16, was part of a suite of changes designed to improve road safety outcomes.

The AA will offer free driving lessons in Wellington, Dunedin and Invercargill. Wanganui and Christchurch will join the mix in November and the programme will be expanded to include Auckland in the new year.

AA Driving School general manager Nigel Clark says more than 250 learner drivers have participated in the programme since it began on July 1.

“The free driving lesson offer is starting to make a difference for new learner drivers,” he says.

“We believe that access to professional driving training, even if only one or two lessons, will make a difference and help instil good practice and behaviour behind the wheel.”

The hour-long lesson will provide the student with an introduction to key driving skills, how to set up a car for driving, an explanation on instruments, gauges and vehicle controls, moving off, stopping, steering, gears and basic intersection types.

To apply for a free driving lesson, call 0800 223 199 or go online at aa.co.nz/ free-driving-lesson