The New Zealand Government is considering plans to raise the minimum driving age from 15 – believed to be the youngest in the world – to 16 or 17 and double the learner licence period to 12 months.

Transport Minister Steven Joyce told a Motor Trades Association meeting last week that people aged between 15 and 24 are “seriously over-represented” in crash and fatality statistics, and he wants to take new proposals to Cabinet early next year.

Crashes where young drivers were at fault resulted in 122 deaths and 800 serious injuries last year alone.

“Young Australians have a road fatality rate of 13 per 100,000 of population, while young New Zealanders have a fatality rate of 21 per 100,000 of population,” he said.

Mr Joyce says the Government may also introduce a tougher restricted licence test to encourage 120 hours of driving practice and benefits for those who do driver training or road safety courses.

Other measures may include restricting young drivers from driving high-powered or modified cars, impounding cars for licence breaches and zero alcohol limits for drivers under 20. The Government will also consider introducing compulsory third party insurance.