Professional driving instructors are suffering an unexpected consequence of last year’s change to free re-sits for driving tests.

Since fees for re-sitting practical driving tests were scrapped in October, delays to licence booking times have grown as a result of a surge in demand.

There were 2000 booked no-shows last month alone through VTNZ.

President of the New Zealand Institute of Driving Educators Mark Revill-Johnson tells Mike Hosking that funding training gets better outcomes as people are well prepared when turning up for tests.

Instead, people are using the test as an opportunity for a free lesson, affecting business for professional instructors across the country.

LISTEN ABOVE

Professional driving instructors are suffering an unexpected consequence of last year’s change to free re-sits for driving tests. 
Since fees for re-sitting practical driving tests were scrapped in October, delays to licence booking times have grown as a result of a surge in demand. 
There were 2000 booked no-shows last month alone through VTNZ. 
President of the New Zealand Institute of Driving Educators Mark Revill-Johnson tells Mike Hosking that funding training gets better outcomes as people are well prepared when turning up for tests. 
Instead, people are using the test as an opportunity for a free lesson, affecting business for professional instructors across the country. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Don't risk not knowing what's going around New Zealand and the world - catch up with interviews from Early Edition on Newstalk ZB.

Don't risk not knowing what's going around New Zealand and the world - catch up with interviews from Early Edition on Newstalk ZB.

Don't risk not knowing what's going around New Zealand and the world - catch up with interviews from Early Edition, hosted by Kate Hawkesby on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition on Newstalk ZB

Mark Revill-Johnson: President of the New Zealand Institute of Driving Educators on fee removal of driving test re-sits resulting in more no-shows

The Finance Minister is defending the time it's going to take to get the Government's books back in the black.

Nicola Willis says a surplus is expected in 2027-28.

Labour's Finance Spokesperson, Barbara Edmonds, told Mike Hosking that Willis isn't delivering the direction she promised.

She said that they’re borrowing way more than Labour would’ve at the end of the forecast period, and running larger deficits than Grant Robertson did, except for at the peak of Covid.

LISTEN ABOVE

The Finance Minister is defending the time it's going to take to get the Government's books back in the black. 
Nicola Willis says a surplus is expected in 2027-28. 
Labour's Finance Spokesperson, Barbara Edmonds, told Mike Hosking that Willis isn't delivering the direction she promised. 
She said that they’re borrowing way more than Labour would’ve at the end of the forecast period, and running larger deficits than Grant Robertson did, except for at the peak of Covid. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Barbara Edmonds: Labour's Finance Spokesperson on the 2024 Budget of 'Broken Promises'

The Cancer Society says some patients won't have a year to wait for National to make good on their promise. 

Over the next four years the government is spending $6.5 billion to boost hospital and primary care. 

Finance Minister Nicola Willis says she's disappointed it couldn't include funding for 13 new cancer drugs, despite promising it pre-election. 

Cancer Society Chief Executive Rachel Hart told Mike Hosking that she's also disappointed for the cancer patients who voted for National thinking it would keep its promise. 

Health Minister Shane Reti says the funding should come in one year.

LISTEN ABOVE

The Cancer Society says some patients won't have a year to wait for National to make good on their promise.  
Over the next four years the government is spending $6.5 billion to boost hospital and primary care.  
Finance Minister Nicola Willis says she's disappointed it couldn't include funding for 13 new cancer drugs, despite promising it pre-election.  
Cancer Society Chief Executive Rachel Hart told Mike Hosking that she's also disappointed for the cancer patients who voted for National thinking it would keep its promise.  
Health Minister Shane Reti says the funding should come in one year. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Rachel Hart: Cancer Society CEO on the Budget failing to follow through on funding cancer drugs

A civil war has been sparked after a vote at NZ Rugby’s headquarters saw Proposal Two passed.

It passed with a majority, 69 votes for and 21 against.

New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association CEO Rob Nichols claims the game could now be in an even worse position than before.

He said that Proposal One, which adopted more of the recommendations from the Pilkington report, was a great opportunity for the game to make the changes required.

ZB’s Rugby Commentator Elliott Smith told Mike Hosking that while it is a democracy, this is not the end of the saga by any stretch.

He said that eyes are now on the provincial unions to implement their ideas, board, and get on with it.

It’s time to see whether they can put their money where their mouth is and whether they can govern the game, Smith said.

LISTEN ABOVE

A civil war has been sparked after a vote at NZ Rugby’s headquarters saw Proposal Two passed. 
It passed with a majority, 69 votes for and 21 against. 
New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association CEO Rob Nichols claims the game could now be in an even worse position than before. 
He said that Proposal One, which adopted more of the recommendations from the Pilkington report, was a great opportunity for the game to make the changes required. 
ZB’s Rugby Commentator Elliott Smith told Mike Hosking that while it is a democracy, this is not the end of the saga by any stretch. 
He said that eyes are now on the provincial unions to implement their ideas, board, and get on with it. 
It’s time to see whether they can put their money where their mouth is and whether they can govern the game, Smith said. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Mark Revill-Johnson: President of the New Zealand Institute of Driving Educators on fee removal of driving test re-sits resulting in more no-shows

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