Long & winding road! TWINS' DRIVING AMBITION

Getting their driver's licences is a little more complicated for these lads

- Fleur Guthrie

Like many other young men, James and Max Leon are eager to master anything with a wheel, and simply want the freedom of getting their licences as soon as possible so that they can take their fiancées out on dates.

The 23-year-old identical twins are both autistic and have several learning difficulties, which presents a unique set of challenges as they work towards conquering their learner’s test on the Road Code.

With infectious grins and a zest for life, the brothers are sharing their journey to ride on the new local series Licence to Drive.

It follows a cast of Kiwi learner drivers, each with a disability, as they navigate the realm of the road alongside their family members. It captures their triumphs, challenges and occasional mishaps with heart and humour.

James and Max live with their parents Emma, 55, and Will, 58, on a farm north of Auckland.

As teens, they got used to driving a quad bike and a Polaris off-road vehicle, but have recently been practising in an old farm car with support worker Karen Moore around their 17-hectare property.

One of their biggest hurdles is learning to avoid obstacles around the farm – namely fence posts – and to keep the vehicle in one piece (“Goodbye, wing mirror!”).