Naomi Bartley preparing participants for their test.
The Outwest Youth, Full@18 programme currently offers learner licence courses in Helensville every school holiday. Our age range is 15½ - 24 (although we generally don’t turn anyone away). Our courses run for 3 intensive days. Two trainers deliver the teaching over the first two days and we then transport participants to Westgate on the last day in order to sit their test. We provide booklets, road codes, lunch and prizes. Our content focuses on developing an understanding of the road code, addressing the difficult questions and preparing for the test. We also emphasise the importance of being a safe and responsible driver and road user. Our approach is fun and interactive. We provide lunch, and once participants have completed the learning, we encourage them to do several official practice tests to ensure they are ready to sit their test. If the participant is not yet 16, does not feel ready to sit the test, or fails first time around, we are committed to work with that individual to ensure that they do eventually get their learner licence. In 2019, we had a total of 58 attendees, of those that sat their test, 98% passed. The course we offer is free, however participants need to pay their own licence fee. In situations where this is a difficulty, we have a fund we can access. Ngati Whatua members may be eligible for funding support from their iwi, and we can help them access this. We will not let cost be the barrier to gaining a learner licence.
