MTA backs lower licence fees

The Motor Trade Association (MTA) is applauding the government for making driving licences more affordable.

Michael Wood, Minister of Transport, has announced that from October 1 the average person will save $86 when successfully moving through the graduated licensing system.

The average cost of a learner licence will decrease by $20, a restricted by $35 and a full licence by $31. Resit fees for practical driver-licence tests, which can be up to $87 each time, have been removed.

Brian Anderton, the MTA’s advocacy and stakeholder manager, says New Zealand has one of the highest rates of vehicle use in the world – we have 889 vehicles per 1,000 people.

“Because of our geography, population and industry, we have a lot of cars and a lot of people need to drive to earn a living or to connect with family,” adds Anderton, pictured.

“In the current cost-of-living climate, we don’t need licences to be out of reach for some Kiwis. Even more so, we don’t want unlicensed drivers on the road because they couldn’t afford a licence or retest.”