Seniors at Manawatu College are ready to take advantage of the driver licence programme launched by HLC and Manawatu, Horowhenua & Waiopehu colleges.

A key component to the programme is the opportunity for those with their learners licences to have five 50 minute practical driving lessons with an experienced driving instructor employed by HLC. This really appeals to many of our students.

Massie Harvey thinks it is great to have a proper instructor for some of your lessons rather than a member of your family all the time. “It can be less stressful and more helpful to have a neutral professional person to teach you sometimes”.

“An instructor knows all the rules well and also the best techniques. He will teach us good habits and polish the driving skills we have learned from family members.” (Dante Taylor)

Students spoken to think the school-based programme will help them get their restricted (and even full) licences faster. This is particularly important for the vast majority of Manawatu leavers who need to travel out of Foxton for work and study.

Edward Winiana thinks that the programme will help him and others to take advantage of the growing number of opportunities for young people in the region.

“It would be good for us to have our restricted licence by the end of year 12 (this year for us) and then our full licence by the end of year 13 next year. We could achieve this if we did the defensive driving course next year which reduces the minimum 18 months down to 12 months.” (McKenzie Laursen & Rawinia Lloyd)

College Administrator Ms Yvonne Seng will help organize those who wish to obtain their learner licences to achieve this goal. For those with their restricted and who are struggling to get the hours of driving experience accompanied by a licenced driver, volunteer mentors from the community may be able to provide them with some experience using the College’s car.

Subsidies may be available to cover part of the cost of the licences for those students who need them.

I wish to acknowledge the generosity of HLC and community sponsors in working with our three colleges and helping to making this happen.

This district driver licensing programme is a good step towards better preparing our young people in the Horowhenua for the future.

Bruce McIntyre

Principal