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Last modified: 31 Jan 2023 2:56pm

A man in track pants, a purple shirt and blue jersey smiles holding arms up in triumph in front of a Proactive Drive Charitable Trust carThe Community Driver Mentor Programme (CDMP) has celebrated the success of eight Selwyn students receiving their restricted licence.

The programme helps new drivers obtain their restricted or full licence, by overcoming barriers stopping them from learning how to drive, such as cost and access to a vehicle or lessons. The Council provides funding for Proactive Drive Charitable Trust to run the
programme in Selwyn. The CDMP matches a learner driver with a mentor to practice driving skills taught at Proactive Drive.

Tim Hartnell, Proactive Drive’s Programme Manager says, “Mentors are integral to the success of CDMP and we are very grateful for the time and personal cost our mentors donate so learner drivers can become better, safer drivers for life.”

The bond between learner and mentor is special and friendships are often forged. At the Selwyn graduation at Te Ara Ātea, the students showed their appreciation for the programme and thanked their mentors.

Graduate, Frederick Toetoe says getting his restricted licence has improved his self-esteem, motivation and given him more freedom. Having moved from the North Island, he says the experience helped him to navigate different areas in Selwyn and Christchurch.

“It has increased my ability to get a job and go to seminars. It is so much quicker and easier to get to places as I don’t have to wait for buses and it also means that I can spend more time with my whānau.”