'S' Plates for elderley (senior) drivers

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Handsomedan

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#324102 27-Feb-2026 13:50

Came across this article today and while it's well-meaning I am somewhat on the fence about the idea.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/society/360944328/would-you-slap-s-plate-nan-or-pops-car

Long story short: a young fella has come up with some blue 'S' plates for elderly or "Senior" drivers to put on their cars, much like Learners do with 'L' plates.

A noble idea - less confident drivers towards the end of their driving journey (like my own parents) may not be tailgated or beeped at for their slow or hesitant driving as they are clearly displaying a plate that confirms their self-admitted age. By the same token, it may make them targets in some way of more ire, as some younger and more impatient drivers feel like maybe the old buggers shouldn't be on the road.

Also - at what point do you decide to think about getting these plates? I'm in my mid-50's. To an 18 year old, I am old. To an 80 year old, I am considerably younger. Do I wait until I am a certain age, or do I wait until I am a bit of a menace on the road? Or do I choose simply to let this slip by without getting involved?

I can also see some places being awash with blue 'S' plates...Mosgiel comes immediately to mind.

Thoughts?

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#3465411 27-Feb-2026 14:01

You don't get them. If you feel your driving is bad enough that you need to put a plate on to excuse it, then you should no longer be driving.

Richard rich.ms

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#3465414 27-Feb-2026 14:14

Rather see plates with a ' A ' on it

SpartanVXL

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#3465416 27-Feb-2026 14:22

Yea nah, see all the hassle learner plates or people in the driver school cars get.

If you can still qualify to drive then you don’t need a plate.

Eva888

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#3465467 27-Feb-2026 14:42

No thanks, it contributes to ageism. Grey hair swishing past is enough of a signal to be interpreted in the same way an S plate would be.

However L plates I defer to, always remembering how nervous I was when first driving and how I would plan my route to ensure traffic lights all the way.

edited spelling.

MikeB4

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#3465469 27-Feb-2026 14:45

It's agist and disgusting.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

Handsomedan

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#3465473 27-Feb-2026 14:52

MikeB4:

It's agist and disgusting.

I agree with the ageism feelings, but don't think the original intent was to offend, but more with concern for his old nan or pop who were maybe getting hassled on the road and he thought this might be a passive defence of some sort.

I can see why it'd be seen as offensive to some though - I have thought about this for a couple of hours and decided I wouldn't want to use them at any point in my driving career - I'd likely just give up driving like my dad did, when he no longer felt like he was capable of keeping up (admittedly he was legally blind at the time).

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sen8or

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#3465479 27-Feb-2026 15:19

Luckily all the drivers with really bad habits already have plates on their cars "Ford Ranger" with the worst bearing the "Raptor" monika :)

People who get impatient with older drivers will do so, irrespective as to whether or not the driver has some sort of plate on their car.

mattwnz

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#3465490 27-Feb-2026 15:35

More than 50% of users agree ion their poll that it is a good idea . If elderly are restricted driving, such restricted to low speed areas because they doesn't feel safe driving at higher speeds with lots of traffic, then it probably should be used, similar to how learners have an L license. That is to give other drivers a warning that the vehicle may not behave as well as a regular vehicle. We have to remember that driving is not a right it is a privilege and that can be easily taken away. If someones eyesight gets really bad, the license can be taken away.

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#3465494 27-Feb-2026 15:45

sen8or:

Luckily all the drivers with really bad habits already have plates on their cars "Ford Ranger" with the worst bearing the "Raptor" monika :)

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#3465517 27-Feb-2026 16:12

mattwnz:

More than 50% of users agree ion their poll that it is a good idea .

We have to remember that driving is not a right it is a privilege and that can be easily taken away. If someones eyesight gets really bad, the license can be taken away.

In NZ that >50% are the problem. If more of the impatient aggressive drivers were taken off the road it would improve more.

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#3465537 27-Feb-2026 18:01

mattwnz:

We have to remember that driving is not a right it is a privilege and that can be easily taken away. If someones eyesight gets really bad, the license can be taken away.

one of the problems i have run into with elderly drivers is its rare that they take drivers license away. they are usually resistant themselves, family doesn't want to be that bad guy especially with elderly groups who protest at the slightest suggestion of wrong doing, and police generally don't do any thing until after its to late.

an S plate most likely will make them a target rather than help. also they certainly won't voluntarily put an S plate on. if they have to put S plate on, why not T plate for tourists?

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mattwnz

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#3465540 27-Feb-2026 18:07

The tourist driving issue is another can of worms, and whether they should have automatic right to drive here without some form of test. Driving on the wrong side of the road seem to be the big one. I am sure technology exists to stop that occuring.

I am all for people having to re-sit their license every 10 years to make sure people still have the skill required, which I believe is quite common overseas.

IMO some of the technology in new cars makes a huge difference when it comes to safety, especially some of the self driving technology. It basically can avoid nose to tail accidents. But it is pity that from my observations many older people tend to drive older smaller vehicles, probably due to the high cost of new cars. Yet they could benefit the most from it.