DRIVING PROGRAMME

A driver licence can change what comes next.

The New Zealand Howard League Driving Programme helps people overcome the practical barriers to getting a driver licence — from literacy and identification to lessons, test costs and access to a vehicle.

A licence can open the door to employment, independence and safer, legal driving.

WHY IT MATTERS

More than a licence

For many people we work with, getting a driver licence is about much more than being able to drive.

A licence can make it easier to get to work, take up employment opportunities, support whānau and participate in everyday life. It also provides recognised photo identification — something that can be essential when opening a bank account, applying for housing or accessing other services.

For someone who has faced repeated barriers to education or employment, passing a licence test can also be an important personal achievement.

IMPACT

38,000

Licences achieved

The Driving Programme removes practical barriers to licensing and helps people move towards safer, legal driving, greater independence and better access to employment. Its impact is both practical and measurable.

$5.60Returned to New Zealand for every $1 invested in the Driving Programme
$100m+Estimated value created through the Driving Programme

PRACTICAL SUPPORT

Removing the barriers between people and a licence

Getting licensed can involve a surprisingly large number of hurdles. The Driving Programme works through them one by one.

Learner licence preparation

Help studying and preparing for the theory test.

Driving lessons

Support arranging lessons and practical test preparation.

Test vehicles

Access to a legal vehicle for practical licence testing.

Licence costs

Help with the costs involved in progressing through licensing.

Literacy support

Extra learning support where reading or comprehension is a barrier.

Identification

Help obtaining documents such as an original birth certificate.

Learning resources

Access to practice tests, workbooks, apps and other study material.

THE BARRIERS

Getting a licence isn't equally easy for everyone.

The cost of testing is only one of the obstacles people can face.

  • Limited literacy or confidence with written tests
  • No reliable internet access for study and practice
  • Missing identification or birth certificates
  • No access to someone who can teach them to drive
  • No suitable vehicle for practice or testing
  • Difficulty meeting the combined costs of lessons and licence tests

These barriers can reinforce each other. The Driving Programme is designed to deal with the whole pathway rather than just one part of it.

Dr Shane Reti with NZHL Instructor Wayne Lajeunesse Celebrating 1000 licences in Whangarei in 2023

THE JOURNEY

From first steps to a full licence

  1. Prepare

    Theory learning, literacy and ID

  2. Learner

    Sit and pass the learner licence

  3. Practice

    Driving lessons and supervised experience

  4. Restricted

    Practical test preparation and support

  5. Full

    Progress towards independent, legal driving

RESEARCH & OUTCOMES

Measuring what the programme changes

The Driving Programme has been independently examined for both its social impact and the experience of people taking part.

Utting Research

Independent research into the programme,
its participants and its outcomes.

YOUR EXPERIENCE

Have you taken part in the Driving Programme?

We're interested in hearing from people who have experienced the programme. Your feedback helps us understand what works and where the programme can improve.

Share your experience

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