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Last modified: 21 Nov 2023 4:38pm

Group of student drivers, driving mentors and police standing in front of car

Learning to drive is often key to creating independence and making life easier, especially for those living rurally with limited access to public transport.

For some Selwyn residents, there are obstacles, such as lesson costs and access to a vehicle, that get in the way of obtaining a restricted and full licence.

Run by Proactive Drive Charitable Trust, the Community Driver Mentor Programme (CDMP) removes these barriers for Selwyn residents by matching them with a mentor to teach safe driving skills, helping them pass their licences.

The Council provides funding for this programme, which recently won a gold award in community volunteering at the Selwyn Awards 2023.

Last Monday, 10 drivers graduated from the programme in a ceremony held at Te Ara Ātea.

Graduates, family members and Selwyn’s CDMP Coordinator Faye Lammers helped to share the stories of the graduates and how the programme helped them overcome barriers.

Graduate Lucy Bain, daughter of a single mum and one of six children, says the programme was great because she didn’t have to rely on her mum to teach her and it reduced the financial strain.

When Lucy found out she passed her restricted it felt like a whole weight had been lifted off her and her family’s shoulders.

“There’s so much freedom for me now I’ve got my restricted, it’s so much easier for everyone.”

Also attending the graduation were the mentors who play a critical role in ensuring drivers who go through the programme are well equipped to drive safely on our roads.

Retired heavy transport driver, Geoff Carpenter says it’s great to see students getting their licences and gaining confidence in their own ability to drive safely.

“I enjoy it. Because I am retired, it’s easy for me to fit students in for teaching and I like putting my spare time into something that benefits the community.”

To close the graduation, Proactive Drive’s General Manager Tim Hartnell talked about how rewarding it is to be involved with a programme that improves the Selwyn community which we all live and work in. He told the mentors and graduates to be proud of their contribution in making the community safer.