About SAFED NZ

SAFED NZ was implemented by a joint Ministry of Transport and NZ Transport Agency team but is now administered by the NZ Transport Agency. It is supported by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, Bus and Coach Association, New Zealand Contractors’ Federation and the Road Transport Forum.  The New Zealand programme has been adapted from a successful scheme in the UK. The SAFED NZ programme has been running in New Zealand since 2010, and has trained more than 2000 drivers.

Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving New Zealand (SAFED NZ) is a comprehensive one-day, off-the-job driver development course. It teaches safe and fuel efficient driving techniques through a combination of theoretical and practical exercises. It is generally delivered on a two-one ratio (two drivers with one instructor). There are two separate courses: one for truck drivers, and one for bus and coach drivers.

The programme has been developed to allow both vehicle operators and training providers to carry out driver training for the road transport industry.

A fuel efficient driving style is closely linked with improved road safety. Adopting simple fuel efficient driving techniques gives drivers more time to identify hazards and react to them.

Applying safe and fuel efficient driving techniques learnt through SAFED NZ can reduce fuel consumption by as much as 10 percent. Ongoing savings on repairs and maintenance are also achieved. This can make a big difference to the bottom line of your operation.

About the SAFED NZ course

The one-day training programme begins with an approved SAFED NZ instructor assessing the participant’s driving on a specific route. This is followed by classroom-based training on best practice in safe and fuel efficient driving techniques. The participant’s driving is then reassessed on the same route to record improvements in driving performance and actual fuel consumption.

Watch the SAFED NZ video on the National Road Carriers website which outlines the safety elements of the programme.

Finally, the participant is assessed on a series of safety check and theory exercises. The final grade is then based on the results from the two practical driving sessions and the exercises.

If the participant has a gap in one of the elements, the instructor will recommend where extra training would benefit the participant.

At the end of the training session, the participant and instructor will agree a target figure for future improvement in fuel consumption. This figure will reflect any improvement evident between the participant’s first and second training drives.

Successful participants receive a certificate of achievement.

To view the SAFED NZ information brochure click on the PDF attachment below.
SAFED NZ information brochure