The driving age in New Zealand is to rise from 15 to 16 by the end of this year.
The Government on Thursday approved a range of measures designed to improve driver safety, including raising the driving age and making the restricted driving test more difficult to encourage more supervision.
Transport Minister Stephen Joyce says the changes are aimed at improving the safety of young drivers. Legislation is expected to be in place by the end of the year.
Mr Joyce says he hopes a tougher driving test will encourage 120 hours of supervised driving instead of the 50 hours at present.
There are also plans to improve road safety education and raise awareness about the risk of young driver crashes.
Investigations will be held into whether to introduce tougher penalties for breaches of restricted licences, and restricting the power of vehicles used by young drivers.
The Cabinet is yet to discuss possible changes to the alcohol-blood limits, including reducing the limit for young drivers to zero.
Mr Joyce says New Zealand's road fatality rate for young people is 60% higher than Australia's.
The Automobile Association strongly supports increasing the driving age but it will continue to push for an increase in the minimum learner licence period.
General manager of motoring affairs Mike Noon says most young people will struggle to get the required 120 hours of supervised driving in six months and the association will continue to lobby for a 12-month minimum period.
Mr Noon says there could be a rush of people trying to get their licences before the changes take effect, but young people should only start to drive when they are ready.
