Run by the Southern Rural Education Activities Programme (Reap), which delivers rural education programmes throughout Southland and the Wakatipu, the programme is aimed at those who cannot afford the costs of getting a licence, or do not have someone to teach them to drive.
Queenstown solo parent Derrin Thomas has just gained her restricted licence after passing her practical test last week.
Ms Thomas said she went for regular drives, mostly with volunteer mentor Aroha Solomon, for about six months before she felt ready for the practical test.
Like all the programme’s students, she had two lessons with a professional instructor before her test to fine-tune her skills.
She was referred to Drive My Life by the Ministry of Social Development, because not having a licence had been holding her back from finding work, and meant she had fewer options for where her daughter could attend child care, she said.
Ms Solomon said she started as a volunteer mentor this year as a way of giving back to the community.
"It’s about instilling confidence in the students, and also being a friend they can talk to and ask questions without being judged.
"Sometimes the students don’t have those sorts of people to reach out to."
Southern Reap Wakatipu co-ordinator Louise Ward said the programme did not "give up" on students who failed their tests, and kept in contact to ensure they kept practising and building their confidence.
She had about 10 volunteer mentors, but needed more.
Southern Reap chief executive Dawn Brocks said one of the programme’s benefits was keeping unlicensed drivers out of the courts.
"We’ve always known that people are driving rurally around Southland and Wakatipu with no licence."
In the Wakatipu, participants were referred by the police, Wakatipu Youth Trust, Wakatipu High School, Central Lakes Family Services and other NGOs and government agencies, Ms Brocks said.
This year, participants ranged in age from 15 to 58.
The programme is supported by funding from the Central Lakes Trust and the Queenstown Lakes District Council.
