1 00:00:09,093 --> 00:00:11,972 Speaker 1: You're listening to a podcast from News Talk zed B. 2 00:00:12,373 --> 00:00:16,133 Speaker 1: Follow this and our wide range of podcast now on iHeartRadio. 3 00:00:16,692 --> 00:00:19,613 Speaker 2: A massive overhaul is coming to the driver's license system, 4 00:00:19,653 --> 00:00:22,012 Speaker 2: with the government announcing a raft of changes the full 5 00:00:22,053 --> 00:00:25,533 Speaker 2: license test that will be scramped, with those under twenty 6 00:00:25,573 --> 00:00:28,213 Speaker 2: five spending a year on they're restricted before moving to 7 00:00:28,533 --> 00:00:32,013 Speaker 2: their full license. Transport Minister Chris Bishop is on the 8 00:00:32,213 --> 00:00:35,053 Speaker 2: line now and joins us minister, very very good afternoon 9 00:00:35,133 --> 00:00:36,933 Speaker 2: to you, Good afternoon to you. 10 00:00:38,013 --> 00:00:40,173 Speaker 3: How many times did you sit the final test before 11 00:00:40,213 --> 00:00:43,812 Speaker 3: you pass? This isn't a revenge move, is it. No? 12 00:00:43,973 --> 00:00:46,093 Speaker 4: I said it once, but I actually was quite old. 13 00:00:46,173 --> 00:00:47,693 Speaker 4: I was actually quite old when I said it. I was. 14 00:00:48,253 --> 00:00:50,333 Speaker 4: It was in my late twenties, which is a bit unusual. 15 00:00:51,053 --> 00:00:53,013 Speaker 4: But yeah, I passed it first time, but I'll tell 16 00:00:53,013 --> 00:00:55,293 Speaker 4: you what, I was bloody nervous doing it. It's very 17 00:00:55,373 --> 00:00:58,693 Speaker 4: anxiety inducing sitting here sitting your full So. 18 00:00:58,693 --> 00:01:00,853 Speaker 3: Did you sit on your restricted for quite a few years? 19 00:01:02,093 --> 00:01:04,773 Speaker 4: Ditch? Yeah, yeah, and I had more restricted for oh 20 00:01:04,773 --> 00:01:07,173 Speaker 4: three four years maybe, which not really meant to do. 21 00:01:07,293 --> 00:01:09,533 Speaker 4: But I am a learner's rea longer than that. So 22 00:01:09,613 --> 00:01:10,013 Speaker 4: there you go. 23 00:01:10,213 --> 00:01:11,853 Speaker 3: So in the new system, you would have done your 24 00:01:11,853 --> 00:01:15,292 Speaker 3: restricted practical test and then you would have just cruised 25 00:01:15,292 --> 00:01:17,653 Speaker 3: through and ended up worth your full license. 26 00:01:18,373 --> 00:01:21,253 Speaker 4: Yeah, as long as you drive safe and yeah, don't 27 00:01:21,253 --> 00:01:24,413 Speaker 4: get any demerits after a year. The new system will 28 00:01:24,453 --> 00:01:26,693 Speaker 4: mean that you just go on. You have to pay 29 00:01:26,733 --> 00:01:29,493 Speaker 4: a fee. It'll be about twenty six bucks, so it's 30 00:01:29,613 --> 00:01:33,012 Speaker 4: quite a cost saving. So cut the current fees from 31 00:01:33,053 --> 00:01:35,572 Speaker 4: memories about ninety bucks, so you pay twenty six so 32 00:01:35,693 --> 00:01:38,133 Speaker 4: you save money and time. Obviously you won't have to 33 00:01:38,133 --> 00:01:39,973 Speaker 4: go and sit your second practical test. 34 00:01:40,333 --> 00:01:42,932 Speaker 3: What was the problem you were trying to solve with 35 00:01:42,973 --> 00:01:47,733 Speaker 3: these license changes? Was it safety, cost or access to 36 00:01:48,133 --> 00:01:49,373 Speaker 3: people getting full time work. 37 00:01:50,133 --> 00:01:52,972 Speaker 4: It's the latter one. So we know that for many people, 38 00:01:53,133 --> 00:01:55,853 Speaker 4: access or full driver's license is a critical enabler of work. 39 00:01:56,853 --> 00:01:58,773 Speaker 4: Luy's ups and I just out this morning at a 40 00:01:58,853 --> 00:02:01,853 Speaker 4: driver training center works with young people making sure they 41 00:02:01,853 --> 00:02:04,853 Speaker 4: can get through the system get their full license. And 42 00:02:05,053 --> 00:02:07,533 Speaker 4: the young people we met were doing it because one 43 00:02:07,533 --> 00:02:09,013 Speaker 4: of the need of the card to get to school 44 00:02:09,413 --> 00:02:11,493 Speaker 4: and the other you needed it for a job. We 45 00:02:11,533 --> 00:02:13,773 Speaker 4: wanted to get a job that required a full driver's license. 46 00:02:13,813 --> 00:02:16,533 Speaker 4: So and there'll be many young people out there in 47 00:02:16,573 --> 00:02:20,893 Speaker 4: the same situation, and we want to increase access, lower 48 00:02:20,933 --> 00:02:24,453 Speaker 4: the cost a bit and you know, also protect road 49 00:02:24,493 --> 00:02:26,613 Speaker 4: safety at the same time. And you know, we haven't 50 00:02:26,972 --> 00:02:29,533 Speaker 4: done an overhaul of the system since twenty eleven, so 51 00:02:29,573 --> 00:02:31,853 Speaker 4: it's fifteen years or so, so it's around about time 52 00:02:31,893 --> 00:02:33,293 Speaker 4: to have a good look at it. And so we've 53 00:02:33,293 --> 00:02:35,493 Speaker 4: made these changes. I think it's a good balance package. 54 00:02:35,532 --> 00:02:38,252 Speaker 4: It all improve safety and you know, increase access to 55 00:02:38,333 --> 00:02:39,373 Speaker 4: brider licensing as well. 56 00:02:39,573 --> 00:02:42,253 Speaker 2: With the option Minister to shorten the learner period through 57 00:02:42,333 --> 00:02:45,853 Speaker 2: logged practice. How does that work? Is that effectively parents 58 00:02:45,933 --> 00:02:49,973 Speaker 2: logging their own kids driving time that say, little Jimmy's 59 00:02:49,972 --> 00:02:52,333 Speaker 2: been in the car with me all this time and 60 00:02:52,413 --> 00:02:54,012 Speaker 2: he deserves to have six months knocked off. 61 00:02:54,933 --> 00:02:58,132 Speaker 4: Yeah, So what will be happening there is this is 62 00:02:58,173 --> 00:03:00,613 Speaker 4: common in states in Australia for example, is the Director 63 00:03:00,653 --> 00:03:03,293 Speaker 4: of Land Transport will be setting the rules around that. 64 00:03:03,373 --> 00:03:05,573 Speaker 4: So there'll be a minimum number of locked hours you've 65 00:03:05,573 --> 00:03:06,933 Speaker 4: got to do and you'll have to account for that 66 00:03:07,013 --> 00:03:08,853 Speaker 4: and prove that you've done it. So it won't be 67 00:03:09,133 --> 00:03:11,252 Speaker 4: some kind of Mickey Mouse system where parents just say, 68 00:03:11,293 --> 00:03:12,853 Speaker 4: you know, oh yeah, we did it. You know, we 69 00:03:12,933 --> 00:03:15,452 Speaker 4: may involve that may involve a statutory decoration in which 70 00:03:15,493 --> 00:03:17,213 Speaker 4: they test to the hours. You might have to prove 71 00:03:17,293 --> 00:03:20,013 Speaker 4: that you've you've got your log box. There's apps you 72 00:03:20,013 --> 00:03:23,493 Speaker 4: can use as well, but you know, monitor tri and 73 00:03:23,573 --> 00:03:25,773 Speaker 4: track you know where and what you're driving and how 74 00:03:25,813 --> 00:03:27,773 Speaker 4: and when and all that. So there's a variety of 75 00:03:27,813 --> 00:03:29,972 Speaker 4: different things. So that'll be worked out in the next 76 00:03:29,972 --> 00:03:32,333 Speaker 4: six to nine months and people will know exactly what 77 00:03:32,373 --> 00:03:34,773 Speaker 4: the system will be once it goes live in January 78 00:03:34,773 --> 00:03:35,213 Speaker 4: next year. 79 00:03:35,773 --> 00:03:39,333 Speaker 3: Could driving just be a subject that school because schools 80 00:03:39,373 --> 00:03:42,133 Speaker 3: don't they teach all kinds of stuff that kids don't need. 81 00:03:42,173 --> 00:03:44,293 Speaker 3: Should it just be made part of the school curriculum? 82 00:03:44,493 --> 00:03:47,653 Speaker 3: Curriculum kids get taught how to drive at school and 83 00:03:47,653 --> 00:03:49,253 Speaker 3: when they leave at the end of year thirteen, they've 84 00:03:49,253 --> 00:03:51,493 Speaker 3: got a license being ready to go into the workforce. 85 00:03:52,293 --> 00:03:54,853 Speaker 4: Some schools do that now, to be honest, And you 86 00:03:54,893 --> 00:03:57,373 Speaker 4: know MSD has a range of programs as well, particularly 87 00:03:57,373 --> 00:04:00,813 Speaker 4: for some of these younger guys are who you need 88 00:04:00,933 --> 00:04:03,773 Speaker 4: a driver license as you know as a taller, social 89 00:04:03,853 --> 00:04:06,093 Speaker 4: mobility and access to jobs. And that's you know, some 90 00:04:06,133 --> 00:04:09,133 Speaker 4: of the group we spending time with this morning. MSD 91 00:04:09,173 --> 00:04:11,573 Speaker 4: funder range of programs and we'll continue to do that. 92 00:04:11,413 --> 00:04:14,493 Speaker 4: That is really really important. And you know, certainly the 93 00:04:14,493 --> 00:04:16,373 Speaker 4: other people I was talking to today when I told them, well, 94 00:04:16,373 --> 00:04:18,053 Speaker 4: you know, once you've done your restrictor, as long as 95 00:04:18,053 --> 00:04:19,693 Speaker 4: you keep a clean driving record, don't go over the 96 00:04:19,693 --> 00:04:22,293 Speaker 4: speed limit, get those demerits, you know, you'll be able 97 00:04:22,293 --> 00:04:23,733 Speaker 4: to go straight to your fall. You know, they were like, 98 00:04:23,733 --> 00:04:26,493 Speaker 4: oh shit, that's really good, good, that's fantastic. Yeah. 99 00:04:26,573 --> 00:04:28,413 Speaker 2: Are these changes going to make it easier for people 100 00:04:28,453 --> 00:04:30,613 Speaker 2: in smaller towns and rural areas for it? You know, 101 00:04:30,653 --> 00:04:32,373 Speaker 2: there's been a lot of concern out there that if 102 00:04:32,373 --> 00:04:34,413 Speaker 2: they want to do a practical test, they've got to 103 00:04:34,533 --> 00:04:38,453 Speaker 2: drive fifty sixty ks to try and find an approved trainer. 104 00:04:38,613 --> 00:04:40,893 Speaker 2: Is that going to change with the system overall. 105 00:04:41,373 --> 00:04:42,493 Speaker 4: Well, it will mean that you don't have to go 106 00:04:42,493 --> 00:04:44,173 Speaker 4: and do it twice. Right. So the way it works 107 00:04:44,173 --> 00:04:45,293 Speaker 4: at the moment is you've got to go you know, 108 00:04:45,293 --> 00:04:46,813 Speaker 4: you've got to go in and find a testing center. 109 00:04:46,813 --> 00:04:48,173 Speaker 4: You've got to do your learners. Then you've got to 110 00:04:48,213 --> 00:04:51,173 Speaker 4: go back and do your restrictor. That's really stressful. Then 111 00:04:51,173 --> 00:04:52,293 Speaker 4: you've got to you know, you've got to wait a 112 00:04:52,293 --> 00:04:53,853 Speaker 4: certain period of time, and you've got to go back 113 00:04:53,893 --> 00:04:55,853 Speaker 4: and do your full and so yeah, it will make 114 00:04:55,893 --> 00:04:58,573 Speaker 4: life easier for people in rural impromential New Zealand that 115 00:04:58,653 --> 00:05:01,093 Speaker 4: often have to drive a long way. So this is 116 00:05:01,133 --> 00:05:03,333 Speaker 4: all about increasing access. So it will make a difference 117 00:05:03,373 --> 00:05:04,693 Speaker 4: in rural New Zealand for sure. 118 00:05:05,213 --> 00:05:08,013 Speaker 3: Here's the Texas just come through. Hey, guys, ask us this. 119 00:05:08,653 --> 00:05:10,813 Speaker 3: Bet you won't ask him, but ask him this. If 120 00:05:10,853 --> 00:05:13,813 Speaker 3: these changes lead to more crashes, will he reinstate the 121 00:05:13,853 --> 00:05:14,813 Speaker 3: full licensed test. 122 00:05:16,773 --> 00:05:20,373 Speaker 4: I've readout the full look at that's a fair question. 123 00:05:20,613 --> 00:05:23,013 Speaker 4: There will be a full analysis after three years once 124 00:05:23,013 --> 00:05:25,693 Speaker 4: the new system comes in, so B twenty thirty we'll 125 00:05:25,733 --> 00:05:30,853 Speaker 4: do the full analysis. The officials advised us, the Ministry 126 00:05:30,893 --> 00:05:34,213 Speaker 4: of Transport officials advised us that they would like to 127 00:05:34,253 --> 00:05:37,333 Speaker 4: see a twelve month learner period because that's that's the thing. 128 00:05:37,373 --> 00:05:39,413 Speaker 4: We're making it easier at the back end to get 129 00:05:39,413 --> 00:05:43,293 Speaker 4: your full but you'll spend longer normally on your The 130 00:05:43,293 --> 00:05:45,293 Speaker 4: fault will be you spend longer on your learners, and 131 00:05:45,293 --> 00:05:48,093 Speaker 4: that's because that's when you learn those critical skills. And 132 00:05:48,133 --> 00:05:50,213 Speaker 4: the advice from the officials was to do that, and 133 00:05:50,253 --> 00:05:53,173 Speaker 4: so we've done that. So you know, all of these 134 00:05:53,173 --> 00:05:55,973 Speaker 4: things are a balance. I mean we could make we 135 00:05:56,013 --> 00:05:58,613 Speaker 4: could make we could get rid of driver licensing altogether. 136 00:05:58,773 --> 00:06:00,413 Speaker 4: You know, just let anyone get behind the wheel of 137 00:06:00,413 --> 00:06:02,253 Speaker 4: a car. Well no one would, no one would say 138 00:06:02,253 --> 00:06:04,693 Speaker 4: that's a good idea. But we could also make the test, 139 00:06:04,773 --> 00:06:07,253 Speaker 4: you know, so difficult that no one, no one can 140 00:06:07,293 --> 00:06:09,573 Speaker 4: get their driver's license. And you know we don't do 141 00:06:09,613 --> 00:06:11,733 Speaker 4: that either because people would say, well, that's ridiculous. You know, 142 00:06:11,773 --> 00:06:14,733 Speaker 4: you need driver's licensing to get into jobs and school 143 00:06:14,733 --> 00:06:16,053 Speaker 4: and all the rest of it. So all of these 144 00:06:16,053 --> 00:06:17,413 Speaker 4: things are a balance, and I think we've got the 145 00:06:17,413 --> 00:06:17,933 Speaker 4: balance right. 146 00:06:18,853 --> 00:06:21,413 Speaker 3: So what would be you know, the strongest reassurance you 147 00:06:21,413 --> 00:06:25,053 Speaker 3: could give parents some who are texting and who would 148 00:06:25,053 --> 00:06:26,333 Speaker 3: be uneasy about all. 149 00:06:26,213 --> 00:06:29,973 Speaker 4: This A couple of things. Number one, you'll spend longer 150 00:06:30,013 --> 00:06:33,093 Speaker 4: on your learners learning how to drive, unless you do 151 00:06:33,333 --> 00:06:37,613 Speaker 4: approved practical course or you do those supervised hours, which 152 00:06:37,653 --> 00:06:39,973 Speaker 4: will be you know, will be monitoring. And then the 153 00:06:40,013 --> 00:06:43,973 Speaker 4: second thing is the restricted test. We're making it include 154 00:06:44,373 --> 00:06:47,093 Speaker 4: hazard perception as well, so it gets really technical. But 155 00:06:47,133 --> 00:06:48,653 Speaker 4: at the moment when you do your full test, the 156 00:06:48,693 --> 00:06:51,533 Speaker 4: hazard perception stuff, which is important, is only done on 157 00:06:51,613 --> 00:06:53,653 Speaker 4: your full test, it's not done on your restricted so 158 00:06:53,733 --> 00:06:56,413 Speaker 4: that will now be part of the restricted test as well. 159 00:06:56,933 --> 00:06:59,213 Speaker 4: And so I think you know the combination of longer 160 00:06:59,253 --> 00:07:01,973 Speaker 4: on your learners, you know, making sure that you can't 161 00:07:02,013 --> 00:07:04,493 Speaker 4: go for your fall if you've got any d merits, 162 00:07:04,933 --> 00:07:07,373 Speaker 4: you've got to wait twelve months of a clean driving record. 163 00:07:07,453 --> 00:07:10,973 Speaker 4: We're also doing a zero alcohol limit for everyone on 164 00:07:10,973 --> 00:07:12,693 Speaker 4: their learners and restricted by the way, so it's not 165 00:07:12,733 --> 00:07:15,813 Speaker 4: the rules at the moment. So zero alcohol limits for 166 00:07:15,933 --> 00:07:18,253 Speaker 4: everyone on their learners and restricted not just under twenty fives, 167 00:07:18,293 --> 00:07:19,293 Speaker 4: but for everybody. 168 00:07:19,573 --> 00:07:23,173 Speaker 2: What about the n ZTA having stronger powers over training providers? 169 00:07:23,253 --> 00:07:26,133 Speaker 2: Was there some inconsistency there? I just say that because 170 00:07:26,133 --> 00:07:28,733 Speaker 2: when I was going through the process, everybody in Nelson 171 00:07:28,813 --> 00:07:31,653 Speaker 2: knew you didn't want a particular feller to be running 172 00:07:31,653 --> 00:07:33,773 Speaker 2: the test because he was strict as all. How is 173 00:07:33,813 --> 00:07:35,893 Speaker 2: that going to be tightened up? So you know that 174 00:07:35,933 --> 00:07:37,613 Speaker 2: the ones who you know you're going to fail with 175 00:07:37,773 --> 00:07:39,413 Speaker 2: might just be ushered out of the system and be 176 00:07:39,413 --> 00:07:40,053 Speaker 2: a bit more fear. 177 00:07:40,813 --> 00:07:43,413 Speaker 4: Yeah, you do hear all these anecdotal stories. They like, 178 00:07:43,453 --> 00:07:46,213 Speaker 4: I'm around the heart. You know, I won't get into 179 00:07:46,253 --> 00:07:48,493 Speaker 4: it because it'll be telling people I shouldn't know, but 180 00:07:48,813 --> 00:07:51,213 Speaker 4: you know, you know, you want to do it on 181 00:07:51,293 --> 00:07:53,373 Speaker 4: a particular day, on a particular course because some are 182 00:07:53,453 --> 00:07:55,333 Speaker 4: courses are harder than others, and you know you don't 183 00:07:55,333 --> 00:07:57,573 Speaker 4: go through that roundabout in Allders, so you do. You 184 00:07:57,613 --> 00:07:59,853 Speaker 4: do hear these stories. It is partly about there and 185 00:07:59,893 --> 00:08:02,733 Speaker 4: also partly about some of the cases of fraud you've seen. 186 00:08:03,413 --> 00:08:04,613 Speaker 4: You know, it's been in the media in the last 187 00:08:04,653 --> 00:08:06,373 Speaker 4: six months because I won't get into because it's all 188 00:08:06,453 --> 00:08:09,093 Speaker 4: under investigation, which is rightly so. But yeah, I mean 189 00:08:09,093 --> 00:08:12,093 Speaker 4: we you know, we haven't changed the system for fourteen 190 00:08:12,173 --> 00:08:15,293 Speaker 4: fifteen years, so you try and do all the changes 191 00:08:15,373 --> 00:08:18,213 Speaker 4: at the same time. You know, now's the time to dot. Yeah. 192 00:08:18,213 --> 00:08:21,173 Speaker 3: My mate failed in Auckland and didn't do any extra 193 00:08:21,213 --> 00:08:26,453 Speaker 3: training and then went up to fun in past very easily. Finally, 194 00:08:26,893 --> 00:08:30,253 Speaker 3: finally another text ask them if the robots will have 195 00:08:30,293 --> 00:08:31,613 Speaker 3: to sit the test when they take over. 196 00:08:35,213 --> 00:08:37,813 Speaker 4: Yeah you know that. Well, everyone WI letters to the test, 197 00:08:37,852 --> 00:08:38,533 Speaker 4: even the robots. 198 00:08:38,693 --> 00:08:41,693 Speaker 2: Yeah, one one rule for all. Yeah, that's what we 199 00:08:41,732 --> 00:08:44,533 Speaker 2: want to hear. Ministerta has been great having a chat 200 00:08:44,533 --> 00:08:46,173 Speaker 2: with you. Thank you very much for your time. You 201 00:08:46,213 --> 00:08:49,253 Speaker 2: have a great afternoon you too much. That is Transport 202 00:08:49,293 --> 00:08:50,333 Speaker 2: ministat Chris Bishop. 203 00:08:50,813 --> 00:08:53,773 Speaker 1: For more from News Talks b listen live on air 204 00:08:53,973 --> 00:08:56,653 Speaker 1: or online, and keep our shows with you wherever you 205 00:08:56,732 --> 00:08:59,093 Speaker 1: go with our podcast on iHeartRadio