The program, offered to students since the early 1970s, was believed to be the last operating in the state, said driver trainer Barry Jamieson. It was a valued asset in the community, and “a sad day for us,” he said.

Mr Jamieson and Bob Barnett were pivotal in putting the scheme in place for students during Mr Jamieson’s tenure as teacher at CHS between the 1960s and 2000s.

Until recently, students had the opportunity to complete learning driving with a teacher who was also a qualified driving instructor.

These lessons were worth three-to-one towards a learner driver’s licence logbook. But “the government has changed the guidelines,” Mr Jamieson said.

Despite a number of approaches to continue the program, the Department of Education would not permit lessons to be conducted during school hours.

Mr Jamieson said regional learner drivers who lived some distance from town would be the most disadvantaged by the change.

Without the program, parents would be required to make additional trips to pick up students, adding an additional burden and cost to struggling country people, Mr Jamieson said.

Students paid a nominal fee towards a lesson, mainly for fuel, and completed the lessons during study periods or at lunchtime, he said.

It had been a popular program over decades with “a lot of people from years ago that have gone through the system,” he said.

The vehicle had been modified and included dual pedals, but it would now be sold, he said.

CHS principal Vero Joseph acknowledged that the changes to department policy made the program untenable.

Mr Joseph also thanked Spackman Motors for their support of the program.