Free Drivers Licence Course for South Taranaki Youth

Are you sick of walking? A free Drivers Licence Course for South Taranaki youth is coming your way.

If you are aged between 16 and 24 years, live in South Taranaki and are able to sit a stage of your driver's licence by 10 October 2011, you are eligible to apply for a position on this free course says South Taranaki District Council youth development advisor, Peter Heard.

"South Taranaki has a limited public transport system and young people often have to drive outside the district to access tertiary education, employment, sports and recreational activities," says Peter. "The cost of obtaining a licence and the fear of failure is a real deterrent with many youth incurring fines for driving without a licence. This project equips families to support their young people to gain their licence and makes our roads safer," he says.

"There will be a random selection from the eligible applicants who will need to have support from a caregiver with a registered and warranted road worthy vehicle to complete the course," says Peter. "Successful applicants will be expected to attend a training evening and pay a $50 bond which will be refunded once the course is completed. Practical driving instruction and theory study will be provided depending on what stage of licence the young person is at," he says.

Supported by SouthTRU, the South Taranaki District Council, Roadsafe Taranaki and the Ministry of Youth Development the course aims to assist 80 youth from across South Taranaki to obtain a stage of their licence.

The minimum age to get your licence changes on Monday 1 August 2011. You can check your eligibility by calling NZTA on 0800 822 422

Application forms are available from www.southtaranaki.com/Live/Youth or all LibraryPlus centres and the South Taranaki District Council's Administration Building in Hawera. Applications close Monday 8 August 2011.

For further information contact the Council Youth Development Advisor Peter Heard on 0800 111 323 or email peter.heard@stdc.govt.nz

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