Young Drivers & Licensing

Getting your driver licence is an exciting milestone and an important step toward independence. With that freedom comes responsibility. Young drivers are overrepresented in crash statistics across New Zealand, particularly in rural communities like the Wairarapa.

The Wairarapa Road Safety Council works with schools, communities, and national partners to support young people to become safe, skilled, and confident drivers through education, leadership opportunities, and access to licensing support.

Changes to the Graduated Driver Licensing system

What do the proposed NZ Driver Licence changes mean for you?

Big changes are coming to New Zealand’s graduated driver licensing system, aimed at making it cheaper, simpler, and safer to move through your licence stages. The new rules are expected to apply from 25 January 2027, and until then, the current system remains in place.

Key changes include:

‍• No full licence practical test – drivers moving from restricted to full will no longer need to sit a practical driving test.
• Longer learner period for under 25s – learner licences will increase from 6 to 12 months (with options to reduce this through approved training or supervised driving hours).
• Shorter restricted period for under 25s – restricted licences reduce from 18 to 12 months, but demerit points may add extra time.
• Zero alcohol limit – all learner and restricted drivers, regardless of age, will move to a zero-alcohol limit.
• Changes to testing and fees – hazard perception testing shifts earlier, and some licence fees will reduce.

For full details on what the changes mean and how they may affect you, visit the official NZTA website:
NZTA – Proposed changes to graduated driver licensing

Graduated driver licence updates

Demerit point change for restricted drivers underway

A 'clean driving record' requirement for restricted licence holders - which aims to encourage safer driving started in May.

It’s the first change to start since the driver licensing system changes announced by the Government were signed into law in April.

The change could add time to your restricted licence period on 25 January 2027, if you get demerits points while driving on your restricted licence from 7 May 2026.

Six months will be added each time you get demerit points.

If you move to your full licence before 25 January, your restricted period won’t be extended.

This change will encourage inexperienced drivers to drive safely, and to follow road rules and licence conditions.

Common demerit offences for restricted licence holders include:

• Speeding
• Driving an unlicensed vehicle
• Mobile phone use
• Breaching licence conditions (such as driving with unauthorised passengers or after hours without a supervisor)

For more on demerit point change go to:

Restricted demerit points | NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi

To find out about demerit point offences go here:

Demerit point offences | NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi

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Young Drivers in the Wairarapa

Young drivers aged 16–24 years continue to be disproportionately involved in crashes across the Wairarapa districts of Masterton, Carterton, and South Wairarapa.

Local Trends (2020–2025)

Key trends seen locally include:

• Higher crash involvement among learner and restricted licence drivers
• Increased risk on rural roads with higher speeds and limited recovery space
• Speed, inexperience, distraction, and passengers as common contributing factors
• Night-time and weekend driving linked to greater crash risk
• Seatbelt non-use remains a factor in some serious crashes
• Ongoing need for affordable access to licensing support and driver education

Why This Matters

Improving driver education and helping young people progress through the Graduated Driver Licensing System are key ways to reduce harm and keep everyone safer on our roads.

How We Help

We work with schools, agencies, and community partners to provide:

• Licensing support programmes
• Road safety education
• Community awareness campaigns
• Youth leadership opportunities
• Connections to safe driving resources

Together, we can help build safer roads and safer futures for young people in the Wairarapa.

Kaitiaki o Ara / SADD‍

Kaitiaki o Ara – Students Against Dangerous Driving

Kaitiaki o Ara, formerly known as SADD (Students Against Dangerous Driving), is a youth-led movement that empowers secondary school students to take action against risky driving behaviours in their communities.

Supported regionally by the Wairarapa Road Safety Council, this programme encourages students to become leaders in promoting safe driving messages among their peers through campaigns, events, and school-wide initiatives.

Wairarapa Student Leadership Highlights

Over the past decade, student leaders from the Wairarapa have achieved national recognition for their commitment to road safety.

Students from the region have been selected to attend national SADD Leadership Conferences, helping shape youth road safety initiatives and representing the voice of rural rangatahi.

Supporting Rangatahi Leadership

Much of the success of youth road safety in Wairarapa comes from investing in our rangatahi. We aim to support all students who take part by:

• Mentoring and supporting student leaders
• Coordinating local and regional youth safety events
• Advocating for youth voice in road safety decision-making
• Partnering with schools and community organisations
• Helping remove barriers to gaining a driver licence

Get Involved

Whether you're a student wanting to join a Kaitiaki o Ara group, a teacher interested in starting a programme at your school, or a community member keen to support young drivers, we’d love to hear from you.