STREET TALK is an advanced driver training programme authorized by NZTA, to help car drivers navigate our roads safely AND earn time reduction.

Your Instructor is an experienced vehicle crash investigator (22 years) and an advanced defensive driving course facilitator (since 2007). This means that you will receive a unique, in-depth and well-rounded experience from one of the most qualified & experienced DDC facilitators in New Zealand. One thing's for sure, you won't forget the journey!

IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to the changes in early 2027, this will be the last STREET TALK course being run by Debbie Does Driving. Therefore, you must attend every session. There are no catchups. THIS WILL BE THE LAST DDC.

Proposed changes to the Class 1 car licence being introduced in early 2027 by NZTA: from 25 January 2027, 1R drivers will no longer be able to reduce time by doing Street Talk. For full information on the changes to getting a car licence go to NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi website: https://share.google/2TJa51i7AnuYTXZMJ

Currently, until 25 January 2027, successful completion of STREET TALK means that clients under 25 years of age can sit their full car licence test earlier, namely at 1 year (reduced from 18 months) and for over 25 years of age at 3 months (reduced from 6 months). Clients can also attend for other reasons, such as compliance, employment, iwi panel/court/police directed.

STREET TALK runs every month of the year, on different weekdays to provide more options: 4 x 2 hour theory sessions (evening) spread out over 4 weeks. A very interactive course, what you will get out of it depends on what you put in. Maybe you're not a 'sit in a class with others' type of learner? Just have a chat with Debbie about how we can support you during the journey.

Individual In-Car practical drives are completed within 8 weeks of the last theory class (Session.4), after which a Certificate of Completion may be earned - enabling clients to book the full car licence test earlier (see above). Note: please DO NOT book your test at VTNZ before receiving a Certificate. Individual drives are only scheduled on the following weekdays between 10am - 4pm: Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.

ROADWORTHY VEHICLE: is required for the Individual In-Car practical drive, following Session.4. It is client responsibility to ensure their vehicle is roadworthy [refer T&Cs below].

Please read our TERMS & CONDITIONS below, as booking onto DDC is taken as acknowledgement and acceptance of these ...

1. DDC enrolment is taken as full acceptance of these terms and conditions.

2. DDC services are provided strictly on a PRE-PAID basis only. Prices quoted are subject to change without notice including advertisement.

3. Late cancellation of enrolment on DDC (within 7 calendar days of start date) = NO REFUND. DDC is popular, so any student withdrawing late means that another student may have missed out.

4. Cancellation of enrolment on DDC (with more than 7 calendar days notice from start date) = a partial REFUND is provided, less an administration fee.

5. Current photo NZ Drivers Licence MUST be presented to DDC Instructor at every session, without exception. Please DO NOT bring a copy on your phone - as your Instructor is not allowed to take you for a drive without your physical drivers licence in your possession.

6. DDC runs to a carefully planned schedule and clients are expected to be seated within 5 minutes of start time. Lateness takes away from learning.

7. While every effort is made to encourage clients to get the most out of their DDC experience for a lifetime of safe driving skills, issues such as: not completing homework tasks / not participating in class / disruptive behaviour / lateness … may result in a client being unable to continue and no refund given.

8. In the event a client needs to postpone/cancel their booked DDC drive (Session.5), 24 hours notice MUST be given. This allows continuity for the trainer. Late postponement/cancellation of a DDC drive will result in additional cost to rebook (normal $ rate).

9. Vehicle roadworthiness. All vehicles supplied by clients on their DDC drive MUST be roadworthy, with a current Warrant of Fitness (and be up to WOF standard) plus display a current vehicle license label/RUC. If electric/diesel powered, the RUC mileage is to be displayed in the windscreen as prescribed, and the speedometer mileage being within the RUC maximum & minimum mileage, without exception. Should a vehicle be presented which does not meet these standards, the drive cannot go ahead - another booking may be made but this is at additional cost to DDC client (normal $ rate).

10. Insurance. Clients must have current vehicle/driver insurance and be an authorized driver (if not the owner).

11. Liability from damage/injury. Any vehicle used by clients for training is done so at client’s own risk and the client agrees that Debbie Does Driving is exempt from and does not accept any responsibility for any damage and/or injury caused to the client and/or client’s vehicle and/or property, and/or to any other person, and/or other vehicle and/or other property, and/or any traffic infringements.

12. Fatigue, alcohol, drugs, medication, mental/emotional/other presentation: no training will be provided to any client who presents for training and appears to be suffering from any of these issues which is likely, in the opinion of Debbie Does Driving, to affect their ability to control a motor vehicle. Full training fees will still apply (no refund). Another booking can be made but at full training cost to client.

13. DDC is scheduled to run every month of the year in good faith. While every effort is made to ensure DDC runs accordingly, there must be enough participants to do so (DDC rules). Should there be insufficient numbers, DDD reserves the right to postpone until sufficient numbers are obtained, but every effort will be made to advise affected DDC participants in good time.

14. All DDC client details supplied are to be correct and will remain property of and be confidential to DDD, in accordance with provisions of The Privacy Act 1993.

Invercargill DDC 2026 | August 26th, September 2nd, 9th & 16th | 6.30 pm - 8.30 pm | Adventure Southland - Invercargill, 810 North Road, Invercargill, Southland, New Zealand