Paddy Doyle contacted Grey Power about some confusing information he had received from NZTA about the On Road Safety Test (ORST), which appeared to contradict what was conveyed in a previous magazine article.
NZTA have apologised for the confusion from one of their agents and confirmed the following:
If you are 75 or older there is no charge for the ORST when ordered by your doctor and booked through AA or VTNZ. (Some local agents may be unaware of this fact.)
If you are 75 you can book your own ORST without a doctor referral, but please be aware that failure of the test may mean loss of licence. We would recommend enrolling for the AA Senior Driving Coaching Session prior to applying for licence renewal so that you have an independent evaluation of your current driving ability. This is free for all AA members aged 74+.
If your GP sends you to an Occupational Therapist for assessment of your ability to drive, including an ORST, please be aware that this may cost you between $800 and $1500.
NZTA has initiated several improvements to the system for senior driving licence renewal over the past 12 months, and Grey Power is now focusing on the medical profession to negotiate a fairer national evaluation process that does not include mandatory cognitive testing.
David Marshall, National Vice-President, Grey Power