Learner drivers could be left in the lurch if a charity that provides free lessons is unable to replace its ageing car.
Outwest Youth, based out of Helensville in Auckland’s north-west, gives lessons to those who can’t get them elsewhere. But its 14-year-old Mazda Demio is now in need of retirement.
For the past five years, the trust has been using the dual-control car but according to general manager Naomi Bartley, it’s getting old and is on its “last legs”.
“We’ve had some reasonably major repairs needed on it the last couple of times and it’s just beginning to give those signs that it’s going to need to be retired.”
Bartley said the car was on the road almost every day and covered a considerable distance.
“Helensville’s a good 40 minutes from an area that is suitable to train drivers with the complexity of driving that they need to be able to pass a restricted or a full licence test.
“We do big kilometres simply back and forth from Helensville to Westgate, back and forth.”
Lost confidence
Sapphire Wynyard, a 22-year-old sparkie from Helensville, had lost confidence in driving and struggled with anxiety around taking a test. She said that thanks to Outwest’s lessons, she was able to regain her confidence and pass her full licence test.
“It’s definitely a lot easier to sit the test because you get into a car and you know what to expect,” she said.
“When you do five lessons, know what you’re doing and you’re able to do it with ease and not be so nervous when you do the test.”
She said being able to drive had opened her “freedom and independence”.
“I don’t have to nag my parents on a day-to-day basis to drive me to places or to just be able to hang out with my friends.”
She also said it had opened up opportunities at work, too.
“Having my full licence means that I can have another person in my vehicle with me to go to job sites rather than them having to meet me.”
Fundraising drive
The youth trust supports young people aged 10-24 in the town by providing mentoring, life skills, alternative education and youth work.
Among the work they do is licence support and free driving lessons for all ages, to make access to jobs, education and social opportunities easier.
Because the driving course was not funded, Outwest needs to pay for the new vehicle out of its own pocket. To achieve this, they set up a Givealittle page.
Bartley said getting a new car in working condition was vital for those who needed the lessons.
“In our area, we have minimal public transport, so for the most part, if they don’t have a licence, they’re either driving illegally or they’re pretty isolated and probably not living as full of potential life as they could because of the lack of mobility.
“The roads are safer, and you can be employed and contribute to the economy.”
