MINTEDVR

Key Strengths:

Low overheads & operating costs

Minimal competitors in the area

Great standing in the community

The opportunity

Every year in Australia and NZ hudreds of thousands of students turn 16 years old, making them eligible to enter the graduate driver licence system. Transport authorities estimate that there are hundreds of thousands of drivers on an incorrect licence/ unlicenced. It is challenging for those wanting a driver’s licence to organise a vehicle and a suitable driving coach.

Wouldn’t it be great if every student could finish high school with a driver’s licence? Studies show that having a licence increases a person’s employability times seven. Imagine the increased national productivity if everyone eligible had a driver’s licence?

MINTEDVR is a new franchise developed to help fill the gap. Franchisees do not need to be qualified driving instructors. You are "virtually" taking students on the road, coaching them to be better, safer drivers before they get behind the wheel of a 1000kg+ vehicle.

This business can be run part-time or full-time, depending on your community's population size and with further potential for growth as you build your business.

What is MINTEDVR?

MINTEDVR co-founders Malica and Ashley Gore have spent the last 4 years using their extensive education and policing backgrounds to create a Virtual Reality (VR) application that gives you hands on experience teaching you all about driving before you even get on the road.

MINTEDVR trial programs have been underway since 2022 at a leading Auckland high school and a Pasifika community group in South Auckland.

MINTEDVR takes a learner through basic vehicle control and the finer points of driving – navigating a range of intersections, choosing safe gaps, scanning/blind spot checks speed management, safe following distances and vehicle positioning in a group learning environment.

Using spatial computing, MINTEDVR provides learners with a very real driving experience without having to get on the road. Testing with various groups over the last three years shows that MINTEDVR enables all drivers no matter where they are on their learning journey.

MINTEDVR has proved that it sharpens driving skills and enables learners to prepare for and pass restricted, full and overseas licence conversion practical tests.

The hands-on application has even proved useful with those who have never driven enabling then to understand give way rules, road markings and signs.

MINTEDVR leverages technology to give learners important insights into safe driving in a group environment.

A MINTEDVR coach with 10-15 VR headsets can teach learners at a community library, a school classroom and any other indoor community space.

Learners using the MINTEDVR experience are also supported by two additional digital tools:-

Driving Road Test Ready – MINTEDVR – A free online questionnaire/reflection that checks a learner’s readiness of practical driver tests.

MINTRoadRules – MINTEDVR – A paid driving knowledge phone application available on the Google and Apple stores for NZD$9.99 in 10 languages.

The MINTEDVR course

Using at least ten VR headsets a MINTEDVR coach runs a 10-session MINTEDVR course for a group of learners. The coach tracks each learner through the MINTEDVR Performance Dashboard providing timely feedback enabling the learner to progress. Learners are provided with a MINTEDVR participation certificate with detailed feedback on their driving skills.

A ten-session MINTEDVR course is usually conducted in a school/suitable community space and costs approximately NZD $200 per learner.

In addition, there are also opportunities for MINTEDVR coaches to conduct a two-session VR course for the community, familiarising them with this awesome spatial computing technology.

Who we’re looking for

MINTEDVR has received enquiries from various parts of the country and from overseas too.

We are looking for a range of franchise operators – from owner/operators in regional areas to those who have the desire to service large metro areas.

Training on the Virtual Reality hardware and software systems will be provided. Using VR technology is intuitive and the web-based support systems are easy to operate. The VR operating system is very similar to using a smart phone and you will find the navigating to applications and settings familiar.

MINTEDVR coaches will need:

• To be vetted to work with young people.
• To have a driver’s licence.
• Some coaching/teaching experience.
• Good communication skills.
• A desire to enable their communities to be safe road users.

Initial Investment costs 

To set up as a single MINTEDVR coach with 10 VR headsets, equipment, software and training included, the initial investment is approximately NZD$20,000 (excluding vehicle and phone).

MINTEDVR is currently accepting expressions of interest from Australia too and will be available as a franchise in Australia shortly.