Driving test wait times in Nelson Tasman have climbed beyond NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi’s (NZTA) target, with appointments averaging more than five weeks away after two testing officers left.
The median wait for a practical driving test in the region was 37 days in the week to 8 October, despite NZTA aiming to keep waits below 30 days.
Nelson resident Paula Garnham says she faced a three-month wait here, so decided to look further afield.
“I checked Blenheim and got an appointment the next day.”
Tasman-based Tash Jordan says she has also booked a test in Blenheim after struggling to secure an appointment locally.
A spokesperson from NZTA says the longer waits followed the departure of two driver testing officers (DTOs).
“We acknowledge that Nelson Tasman residents are experiencing longer wait times for practical driving tests. This is not the level of service we want to provide and we are actively working with VTNZ to improve this.”
As at 8 October, the next available practical test appointment in Nelson was 27 days away, although the median wait time recorded during the previous seven days was 37 days.
NZTA says two DTOs had been conducting tests in Nelson over the past week, but staffing levels could fluctuate depending on operational requirements, leave and the temporary deployment of staff between sites.
“While NZTA’s target is to keep practical test wait times below 30 days, Nelson has recently fluctuated at and above that target due to the temporary reduction in testing capacity.”
A new DTO started training in October and is expected to begin contributing to testing capacity in November, subject to completing certification requirements.
A further DTO is expected to be onboarded during November, with Nelson anticipated to return to its usual staffing levels in December.
In the meantime, NZTA and VTNZ are using extended weekday hours, overtime, Saturday testing and redeploying DTOs to areas experiencing the highest demand to increase capacity across the driver testing network.
Testing schedules are also being opened further in advance where operationally possible, giving customers greater visibility of available appointments.
NZTA and VTNZ continue to monitor wait times and appointment availability across New Zealand.
The spokesperson also says that wait times can be made worse when applicants do not show up for booked appointments, without providing notice – this is happening in Nelson currently.
NZTA urges people to arrive early to your test appointment, ensure your vehicle has a current WOF, registration and, if relevant, an up-to-date RUC label is displayed and bring your current driver licence with you. If you need to make a change to an appointment call NZTA directly 0800 822 422 as early as possible, as this allows for someone else to be allocated that time.
