On this page

1. Programmes and resources to help you get your licence
2. The steps to getting your licence
3. Driving with a temporary disability
4. Driving with low vision
5. Deaf/hard of hearing and driving

Every driver on New Zealand roads must sit and pass the standard theory and practical driving test. The stages are the same for everyone but you’re not on your own. There is support and information available to help get driving on the road.

Programmes and resources to help you get your licence

I.Drive

The I.Drive Licensing programme supports disabled people to get their learner driver licence. It’s a two-day interactive workshop that breaks down the New Zealand Road Code in an easy way to understand. I.Drive workshops happen at various locations around the country.

Visit Find our more on the I.Drive website.

getDriving

GetDriving provides financial members of Cerebral Palsy Society with driving lessons to help them get their restricted licence.

Find out more about getDriving.

Blue Light Youth Driver Navigator programme

The Blue Light Youth Driver Navigator programme is designed to help support young people to ultimately get their full driver’s licence. It is especially designed for young people who may not have access to the right support to be able to learn to drive, e.g. a vehicle or someone to teach them to drive. Blue Light is available in selected locations.

Learn more about Blue Light Youth Driver Navigator programme.

Drive

Drive is an online platform developed by the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi and ACC to help people learning how to drive and support people teaching others. Drive includes interactive activities and videos to help you get your learner, restricted, and full licence.

Take a look at the Drive website.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi website

The NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi website has tons of information about getting your licence, including a handy section about disabilities and medical conditions in relation to driving.

Visit the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi website.

The steps to getting your licence

• Start: Learning the road rules.

• Learners licence: Passing the theory test of skills and practice

• Restricted licence: Passing the practical test to drive solo

• Full licence: Passing another practical test to drive with full licence privileges.

Driving with a temporary disability

While having a temporary disability may not stop you from driving, you should consider your safety and that of those around you. Talk to your GP about how your driving ability will be affected and how long for. You should also consider your car insurance policy and whether you’d be covered if you had an accident while driving with a temporary disability.

Driving with low vision

If you have low or monocular vision, it is likely you’ll have a condition on your licence saying that you need glasses or contact lenses. All drivers need to have at least 140 degrees of peripheral vision and have a minimum of 6/12 eyesight for a Class 1 licence. Fortunately there are technologies available to help! It may also be worth contracting a Driver-Trained Occupational Therapist (DTOT) who can advise on what aids would help you.

Suggestions:

• Add two convex side mirrors

• Add a panoramic rear-view mirror to eliminate all blind spots

• Try adding reversing sensors and cameras to your vehicle

• Always keep windows clean and clear

• Don’t direct air conditioning towards your face as it dries out eyes quicker

• Use a larger following distance in slow traffic

• Utilise sound to know what’s going on around you, this means less radio and music

• Look after your eyes – If you start to feel irritated or tired, take a break.

Deaf/hard of hearing and driving

There is no law stopping persons who are registered deaf or low hearing from driving. Good driving skills and an awareness of the environment are very important, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) suggests deaf drivers may want to consider purchasing extended mirrors/features to help with everyday driving; however keen visual scanning supplemented with aids such as a visual blind spot detection (flashing light in side mirror when a vehicle comes alongside) are also valuable.

Suggestions:

• Add additional mirrors to cover blind spots

• Try adding a reversing camera rather than simply using audible reversing sensors.