15 Oct 2013

AA driving schools offers more free learner driver lessons

6:45 am on 15 October 2013

The Automobile Association is giving more free driving lessons, in a bid to prepare young drivers for the road.

Half of learner drivers fail their restricted licence test because they are unprepared.

The AA is expanding its programme of free lessons for learner drivers after a three-month trial in Tauranga and Hamilton.

From Monday, it is offering free driving lessons in Wellington, Dunedin and Invercargill. Wanganui and Christchurch will join the mix in November and the programme will be expanded to include Auckland in the new year.

The general manager of the AA's driving school, Nigel Clark, says teenagers often pick up bad habits from their parents and he hopes advice from a professional driving instructor will change that.

"It's early days yet but we are sure it's started to make a difference because a lot of these youngsters are taking extra lessons and getting themselves on a path to safer driving."

Mr Clark says the programme is being funded by profits from the AA's driving school.