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New Zealand Defensive Driving Course (DDC)

One sure way to give yourself an edge, and move you from a restricted to a full licence 6 months sooner (3 months if you are aged 25 years or over), is to take the New Zealand Defensive Driving Course.

This comprehensive, nine-hour course will add a range of safe driving strategies to your skill set, and teach you to recognise the hazards, circumstances and influences that commonly lead to accidents. It is an intensive, interactive course that includes classroom theory modules and an in-car practical session. It is designed for anyone in search of safer driving skills that will last for life.

Course features

During your approved Defensive Driving Course (DDC), we'll teach you three key driving skills:

Searching (eye scanning)
Assessing (hazard identification)
Reducing risk (risk management)

The Defensive Driving Course will give you confidence and knowledge to improve your safety while driving. You'll learn about significant factors leading to car crashes, such as inattention, emotions, driving conditions, drugs/alcohol and peer pressure.

Course structure

The total course time is nine hours over five separate training sessions:

Four theory-based sessions which include the interactive practice CD-ROM
One vehicle practical session to test your skills in a similar way to a full licence test

Pricing

per person

^$195

Other information

Eligibility

All drivers can do a Defensive Driving Course. If you are seeking a time reduction by completing your Defensive Driving Course you need to have held your restricted licence for 6 months.

Once you have obtained your Defensive Driving Course certificate you'll qualify for a time reduction on your restricted licence.

Under 25 year olds from 18 to 12 months. You must have held your restricted licence for 6 months or more before commencing your Defensive Driving course.

Over 25 years old from 6 to 3 months. You can start the course any time after you've gained your restricted licence.

The drive in the Defensive Driving Course

We'll drive in 'everyday' situations to test your skills. You'll be asked to 'commentary' drive, identify hazards and respond appropriately as covered in the course.

The session will be conducted by an AA Approved Trainer.

The vehicle practical session is like a practice run and gives you the chance to ask questions from an expert about the full licence test.

Remember: this session must be completed within 60 days of your final DDC classroom session. You'll need to bring your driver licence, a road legal vehicle and your completed Defensive Driving Course workbook.