The pair, age 18 and 17 respectively, were the first to sit their licences through the programme with three Christchurch-based NZTA qualified assessors now available in Ashburton.
Salvation Army Driver Programme manager Keran Tsering said it was a natural progression to follow their mentor lessons with in-house testing.
‘‘Sitting a driving test can be a stressful thing, so we aim to make the day as calm as possible,” she said.
Salvation Army driving mentors, and testers, fully understand the obstacles their charges may have experienced along the way.
Tsering said over 12 weeks of lessons a special bond is formed between mentor and student.
‘‘In Ashburton we have taught around 500 drivers since we started in 2020, many of them have stayed in touch,” she said.
Before hitting the road, the learner, their volunteer mentor and driving assessor all enjoy a cuppa and a chat in the Salvation Army building.
‘‘This is the time to ask questions in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Which an issue if you don’t drive,” Tsering said.
She said employers will ask what kind of licence you have and caregivers with children often struggle to get children to school or sports.
“Driving means people can drive to work, have social inclusion and have the ability to contribute to the family, all vital to growing self confidence,” Tsering said.
‘‘When they pass we all celebrate together.” Tsering said the day you get your licence, restricted or full, is never forgotten.
‘‘We can all remember the day we got our drivers licence.”
It was especially liberating in Mid Canterbury, where living without a licence can have an impact.
By Heather Mackenzie
