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Why choose Puketapapa Community Driving School?+
"I book my 5 lessons at Puketapapa Community Driving School as I always thought the social enterprise side of the business is amazing. The buy one give one for someone with refugee background and strucggling to afford a driving lesson was really cool. I really like the fullfilment it gave me that my money would be going towards someone in need andnpotentially make a differnece in their lives." - Nina, Student
"Before I just ride a bus. Sometimes the bus would take a while so it was hard for me especially going home late. Now I'm, working as a support worker. I drive a lot going to my clients' homes. Excellent cause, you are really helping the migrants and refugees to learn to drive." Cristine, Health Worker.
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What will my donation to Puketapapa Community Driving School go towards?+
We seriously appreciate your donation. Your generosity will not go to waste. A donation can subsidise a lesson for a disadvantaged person, pay for petrol and maintenance of our vehicles, and funding workshops and learning materials. Contact us if you would like a receipt of your contribution towards PCDS.
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Where do I go once I’ve booked my driving lesson?+
Instructors, mentors, and students will meet at the school, 22 Taumata Rd, Sandringham back carpark of The Salvation Army Auckland 1025. There is a bus stop along Mt Albert Rd for routes 24R and 66. It also just a 4 -20 mins walk from the nearest stops of Route 24B, 670 and 25R. Plan your journey ahead of time using Google or the AT Journey Planner.
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I don’t have a car – can you provide one?+
Yes! We have available dual-control automatic transmission practice cars and a manual transmission practice car. Click here to go to the booking page.
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Can I use my car during the lesson?+
No, with the Covid restrictions in place we need to use our cars for health and safety reasons.
Can I pick an instructor to teach me?+
Yes, based on the availability of the instructor. Click here to go to the booking page.
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I changed my mind about a booking – how can I reschedule?+
If you can’t attend a driving lesson that you’ve booked, no worries! Just make sure to contact us 48 hours (or 2 full business days) prior to your lesson. Scroll down to find our contact information at the bottom of this page, or alternatively click here. If you fail to do this, we will be charging a $20 late cancellation fee effective from June 1 2020. Please check the announcements and your inbox for COVID-19 lockdown affected bookings.
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How can I cancel a booking?+
You have 48 hours (or tow full business days) to cancel a booking. Plese advise as soon as possible, otherwise you will be charged $20 for late cancellation. Click here to go to the booking page. In case of Illness, plese contact us at 022 473 0284 or send us a message in Whatsapp either by you or your immediate family/ support person. You can email info@pcds.co.nz.
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I paid for a driving lesson but forgot to show up – can I get a refund?+
We can make a refund only for valid reason. We always send notifications to your nominated contact number to avoid these circumstances. We would appreciate a call should this be an emergency. For refund cases, we schedule them every 18th of each month.
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I don’t have a licence yet – can I still attend a practical driving lesson?+
You must have a current NZ driver license to be legally allowed to drive. If you fail to have your license on you when you attend your lesson, you will not be allowed to drive, and we will NOT issue you a refund.
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Can we proceed with the lesson if I forgot my licence, but I have photo of my licence on my mobile phone?+
No licence, no driving lesson. Please make sure to bring your valid plastic card licence. By law, all drivers must carry driver licence at all times when driving, and you need to show your licence to a police officer when requested.
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You must have a current NZ driver license to be legally allowed to drive. If you fail to have your license on you when you attend your lesson, you will not be allowed to drive, and we will NOT issue you a refund.
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Do you provide subsidised driving lessons?+
Yes, as a community owned social enterprise we offer subsidised lessons mainly for former refugees facing financial, literacy and language barriers. Please fill out the C.A.R.E.S form and our team will contact you.
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Can the instructor pick me up and drop me off from my home at the end of lesson?+
Yes, if you live within 5km distance from the Puketapapa Community Driving School. But please note the pick-up and drop off time will be deducted from your lesson time. For example, if you have a booking at 1pm to 2pm, the instructor will leave at 1pm from 22 Taumata Rd Sandringham going to your place, then the lesson will end at 1:50pm at your place, so that the instructor will be back to our centre at 2pm in time for the next booking with another learner.
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Do you offer language support?+
Yes. This is based on the availability of the instructor or volunteer mentors. Click here to go to the booking page.
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Are the driving lessons only available to youth, women, migrants, and refugees?+
We offer our services to ALL. Choosing our community-owned driving school will let us help more refugee-background learners to get their licence too.
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After the driving lessons, can I get a copy of my Driving Assessment?+
Yes, we will share the observations and assessment via email from your driving instructor for your reference.
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How can I volunteer to Puketapapa Community Driving School?+
Volunteering is awesome! Thank you for your interest. The success of Puketapapa Community Driving School relies on volunteers like you. Access our volunteer sign up form here.
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Volunteering is awesome! Thank you for your interest. The success of PCDS relies on volunteers like you. Access our volunteer sign up form here. Alternatively, email us at info@pcds.co.nz with your expression of interest.