The driving age is likely to be raised to 16, Prime Minister John Key has confirmed.
Mr Key says too many young people are dying on the roads and though raising the driving age from 15 might cause inconvenience for people living in rural areas, it would save lives.
Mr Key says he also favours zero tolerance for alcohol for drivers under the age of 20.
The Government has been considering a range of options to make the roads safer and is expected to announce its decision on Wednesday.
Mr Key expects law changes to be made by the end of this year.
Federated Farmers, AA not convinced
Federated Farmers and the Automobile Association believe raising the minimum driving age won't do much to increase road safety.
Federated Farmers spokesperson Donald Aubrey says it would prefer the Government to lengthen the time young drivers must be supervised while driving.
"The age at which young people can drive is not going to make much difference to our road toll. The key here is training, and so what we're about to do is hugely inconvenience young rural adults."
Mr Aubrey says driving in rural areas driving is not just a rite of passage, but an essential part of life.
The Automobile Association's general manager for motoring affairs, Mike Noon, says instead of looking at age, there should be a greater focus on the amount of time developing driving skills.
The association says if the Government does press ahead to increase the driving age, it will make submissions at the select committee stage.
However, the Rural Women of New Zealand is backing the move.
The body's national president, Margaret Chapman, says making the driving age 16 would be fitting, as it matches the age teenagers are allowed to leave school, but the Government should consider providing exemptions for those in rural areas.
Students Against Driving Drunk (SADD) says significant changes are needed to training and probation requirements for young motorists, as simply raising the driving age won't make them safer.
