Safe with Age to reach about 8,000 older drivers per annum over the next three years.
More courses will be provided in the areas with greatest concentrations of older people,
and new courses will be introduced in areas where they are not currently provided.
Safe with Age is a road safety awareness and road rules refresher course for persons over the age of 55.
The free courses are run by local groups, such as Age Concern, and co-ordinated by Land Transport New Zealand.
From early next year, as part of the changes to older driver licensing,
the government will provide a subsidy to Safe with Age participants who wish to further improve their driving
skills by taking a private on-road driving lesson.
Each participant attends a free classroom-based course held over four hours.
Attendees have the opportunity to share experiences and to reflect on their own driving,
as well as brushing up on road rules
The participants receive
- a useful workbook ,
- A certificate of attendance and
- a $30 discount voucher which can be put towards an optional practical coaching
- and assessment drive with an approved driving instructor
The practical coaching and assessment drive is designed to help older drivers feel more confident behind the wheel .
The instructor will
observe their driving ,
highlight any areas that need improvement
and advise on how to best address them .
A written assessment is provided
Other education tools and information products to support the introduction and ongoing operation
of the new re-licensing system are under development.
More details have been available from Land Transport New Zealand since 2006.
but you can contact Land Transport NZ general help desk 0800 699 000
to find details of who you have to contact to enroll for the course.